Next race: Capitol 10k

Next Sunday, April 11

 

This is the biggest 10k in the region and the fifth biggest 10k in the country. So, not sure how fast I'll be able to go with all the runners on the course. I'll try to line up near the front and out of the way of the walkers/baby strollers/etc.

 

The course is hilly in the beginning, running north on Congress past the State Capitol and then left on 15th Street. But after that, just around the halfway point, the race is net downhill. So, I'll go out slow in the beginning (maybe half marathon pace the first three miles - 6:45 to 6:50 pace) and then finish strong to get a sure PR.

 

Lately, I've been feeling really strong on my morning runs. My legs take about two miles to warm up, but they easily slip into 7:25 to 7:35 pace after that. My 16 miler last Saturday was 7:35 pace and during my 8-miler this morning (Wednesday) my last six miles were in 7:20 pace. I'm not straining. Not breathing hard. And in fact, to keep myself honest, I will sometimes run with my mouth closed, forcing me to run slow enough to use only the oxygen that my nose can deliver.

 

So, 7:20 is crusing pace. If I could keep this up for 26.2 miles, we're talking about a 3:12 marathon. And a Boston Qualifier. But, whoa, that's more than six months off. For now, I'll enjoy the easy runs, have run during races and stay out of the medic tent.