Yes, marathon pace miles. Marathon pace right now, if I do Ogden, will be around 7:50 to 8:00. This run was at a 7:51 pace. Very confortable pace. Heart rate stayed in the low Zone 3 (152 bpm). My threshold is around 172 bpm with a VO2 Max at 62 (at least last time I had it tested at the U of U last fall). So, with that long protracted explanation, I think I'm OK training consistently in that range. I will slow it down a bit for my long run next Sunday and I test my legs on a 18 miler. My biggest challenge, I think, is having the cardio and muscular endurance to go the distance. I did do one marathon, Phoenix Rock n Roll, in which I had only one long run prior, a 20 miler. I didn't wear a watch and ran only on feel. It wasn't a fast run by any measure (just under 4 hrs) but I never felt so good crossing the finish line. I went on a two hour hike later that afternoon. If I do the Ogden marathon I probably use the same strategy. |