This morning I completed my twelve mile run in 2:24:00 which is exactly 12:00min/mi. McMillan says my long run pace should be between 11:40 and 12:40. Looking strictly at the summary pace, I was well within the window.
Of course, my real pace is never that consistent. I ran the first six miles with Husband. Garmin says the pace for those 6 was 11:07. That's actually too fast for a long run for me. But I felt good and at the time it really didn't seem too fast. It felt just right.
That begs the question - What happened? Nothing really happened other than Husband only ran 6 with me, and I ran the final 6 solo. Garmin shows that I began slowing down immediately when our paths departed. This seems to be a trend for me. If I'm running with someone and we're doing different distances, as soon as I'm running solo I slow down. I'm not sure why, but I do.
Anyway, the second half must have been closer to 13 min/mile for my average to have been 12. And 13 is too slow. So while on paper, it looks like I was running in the window, in reality, I was too fast at first and then too slow. Never really hitting my pace target at all.
Bigger question - How do I feel? I actually feel pretty good. Sure, I'm experiencing a bit soreness in my legs, but I think it is normal soreness from being on my feet for nearly 2.5 hrs. Nothing hurts in a 'something is wrong' kind of way. And if I had to have run another 1.1 miles today, I'm sure I could have done it.
I'm ready to trust my training. Tomorrow rest. Monday 4. Tuesday 9. That's the final push. Then it will be taper time...
I'm the same way about running with people. If there was a "bunny for hire", I'd be all over it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the taper. You're totally ready!
Now find a partner who can run the whole time and you will be Golden :)
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you feel GOOD.. It is so great to feel like you could have kept going..
Next time, have him meet you for the final six and see what you can do.
ReplyDeleteGood job getting the 12 done! You are going to do great!
MCM Mama
I love when that happens!
ReplyDeleteI always tend to run a little bit faster when I run with certain people, even though I'm not intending to run that fast.
You did great!
So it's a good thing there will be other people in the race then, to help keep your pace up. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood job on your 12 miler!
ReplyDeleteI always count my average pace, cause really in a race, it is all average anyways isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI never have anyone to run with, so I really can't relate. I just feel jealous that your hubby like to run, how sad is that!?
It's the great part about running with others - my long run pace with shoreturtle/progman/flyers was something I couldn't get on my own.
ReplyDeleteAwesome girl!
ReplyDeleteNice job on the 12! And, I think a lot of people are like you and can run a faster, more consistent pace with a partner, but can't maintain that on their own. Can Husband run the race with you?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what JoLynn said. I always run faster and easier when I'm with people.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an "run full of awareness".
ReplyDeleteSolid run...glad you feel good, too...that's definitely important, espcially now.
nice run and great overall pace!
ReplyDeleteruns are much easier for me when i run with someone else. whether or not we chat while we run, having someone else around distracts my mind from trying to come up with excuses as to why i should slow down or cut it short.
oh my you are SO READY!! you feel good and that's the main thing :)
ReplyDeleteWow! nice run! You are so ready!
ReplyDeleteOh joy.. to hurt only the hurt of simply running.
ReplyDeleteI love it that you saw the same moon we saw.
Sounds like you need to find someone to run the entire length with. That is part of how I got faster back before I got injured. Sometimes you just need that little push you cant give yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt sound like overall, your training is solid
Nothing wrong with running faster with others, like you said it felt good and that's a better judge to me than pace many times.
ReplyDeleteoh ....taper...so soon!
running *cough* *cough* within the plan is totally overrated :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 12miles.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to run that far!
congrats on the 12 miler and yes, definitely trust the training. taper time coming up ?! wheeee !
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing - run fast with others, but sloowwww by myself!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good run!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on feeling good!
I rarely have a consistent pace either, especially if running with others for part of the run.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 12 miler!
I think running faster with other people is pretty typical as long as they are not slower than you. The only concern is going out too fast that you poop out completely at the end but that doesn't sound like what happened to you. Great to hear you felt good afterward!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling good! That's the most important part.
ReplyDelete