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August 11, 2004

10K pace, marathon pace, 10K pace

This morning I ran with Ruth and Steve’s fall marathon training group. I’m planning to join their group officially when they start their Freescale training group in a few weeks. This morning I ran with two guys, one of whom is a friend, who are trying to qualify for Boston at Chicago and Marathon to Marathon. Their workout this morning was to run a mile at 10K pace (6:36 for me), 4 miles at marathon pace (their goal pace of 7:15), and then another mile at 10K pace. It all went fine; I was dead on for my first 10K mile and we were a little fast on our marathon pace – 7:10, 06, 14, and 6:55 – and then we were a little fast on our last 10K mile (about 6:24.)

I’m pretty sure that if I were to have to do the middle 4 at my marathon goal pace I would have been able to do it, but it would have taken some real willpower. I’m always amazed at how a pace as “slow” as 7:15s can still be so uncomfortable.

By chance I ran into some other friends after the workout who helped me get through the additional 5 miles I had planned. Running in this town is so great.

Posted by jenandmats at August 11, 2004 8:51 PM

Comments

The Marathon to Marathon! That's my neck of the woods! Has your friend done this race before? It's a difficult course as you can LITERALLY see the finish line for about 6 miles before you get there. The course is almost a straight line, little to no fan fare, little road traffic, could be really hot by the end. But the scenery is spectacular, amazing in fact. It's one of those races that you have to be in your head the whole time. I'll be there, I think, just running the Marathon Relay, though. I'll have to look up your buddy. Meghan

Posted by: Meghan at August 11, 2004 9:35 PM

Man oh man, I'm never going to be able to run with you again!

Posted by: Heather at August 11, 2004 9:57 PM

Meghan ... my friend did the relay last year so he has some idea of what he's getting into. He's from Monahans, so he's familiar with that neck of the woods! It does sound pretty (the marathon, that is, not Monahans.)

Heather - only in your dreams ...

Posted by: jenandmats at August 12, 2004 8:38 AM