Ran 8 miles at 6:30 this morning with my group. I'm so excited about this run because I felt so strong and I did so well. Averaged 9 minute pace, but the first two miles I was 10 minute pace... so I was in the 8's the majority of the run. I think increasing the milage this week really helped me get faster even though I pretty much kept my pace at 10 minutes all week. Also, I went to bed last night at 8:30 pm, so I think that helped.
The first two miles I hung with the 10 pace group. I like to do this as a warm-up. Then at the 2 mile water stop I peeled off with a girl who has a 3:33 marathon PR. She and I ran between 8:00 and 8:45 the remaining 6 miles. I was surprised because it wasn't that difficult for me. We talked most of the way. However, the last couple miles felt like a tempo to me where I could only get out a sentense here and there. I still felt like I could have kept running more when we finished.
Here are my splits according to my garmin. I don't ever stop the watch for water breaks or anything because I figure they won't stop the clock in a race either.
9:54 (stayed behind 10:00 pace leaders)
9:59 (stayed behind 10:00 pace leaders)
9:28 (including a water stop -maybe 25 seconds. Peeled off from pace group after that)
9:44 (including about 1 minute stop for goo and water)
8:43 (big long hill but held the pace)
8:45 (actually we were faster, but had to cross busy street which held us up about 10-15 sec)
8:47 (another busy street had to wait another 10 secs or more to cross)
8:04 (felt really effortless to speed up at the end)
GREAT RUN!!! | 