Monday I ran with Wayne, Kevin, and Larry. Tuesday I ran with Wayne. Wednesday I ran with Kevin, so today, of course, I ran with Larry. I ran the same shortened Lindon loop each day, just with a different buddy each day, with the other two not showing up. Each run was equally enjoyable, including today, but the paces were different (9:15/mi, 9:45/mi, 10:15/mi, in no particular order - you'll have match the pace to the partner). It's interesting to me that I ran the exact same course on consecutive days, and no run felt any easier or harder than another, yet the paces were up to a minute per mile different. This reinforces in my mind what I have experienced many times, that, within certain pace ranges (slow to moderately fast tempo pace), it doesn't seem that much harder to run faster or much easier to run slower. The difference, in my experience, is related to focus, form, and efficiency. If I focus on my form, it helps me to run more efficiently, and I get more productivity from the same effort. I sometimes call it shifting gears. I find myself coasting along, with my mind drifting. When I mentally focus back on my form, and kick my turnover up a half gear, I can speed up 15-30 sec/mi or more with very little additional effort. Experiencing the relationship between mind and body is an interesting venture. | 