Well I'm very relieved to get this run under my belt. I thought it could go badly based on the last couple of weeks but all in all it went pretty well. I slowed my pace a bit compared to other weeks and was able to finish without too much of the exhausted, no-stamina feelings I've had during most of my runs lately. I think overall my average pace was around 8:55 with a few marathon pace miles thrown in along the way (8:00-8:30 pace). So I'm hoping maybe I can pull out of the rut I've been in and at least enjoyed some degree of improved endurance even if my speed has taken a step back. Also I think my cold/allergy problems are near an end.
I even went a couple of bonus miles, the reason being I had the choice of either run the last 3-4 miles alone to finish with 20 miles OR run 22 miles with some companionship, so I opted for the companionship with no regrets (yet.... maybe Monday I'll have a different story)
I've found it helps me out quite a bit to run the 1st 6-7 miles solo, starting an hour early (5am) before meeting up with the SF main running group at 6am. I run these solo miles pretty easy and I found I seem to have alot more energy for the next 13-15 miles running with a group.
I'm planning on 1 more 20+ miler in 2 weeks before I taper for Boston which is on April 16.
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