Last night’s run was special. It was absolutely teeming down with rain. I felt tired after working all day. I was grumpy, and not in the mood. I was hungry. My calves still hurt, but I had to run. So run I did.
I clocked the first mile in 6:55. Way too fast for an opening mile. So I slowed to what I thought was my regular running pace for the second.
About half way round, I noticed how good I felt. My calves had got used to running, even if they did hurt a little. And then, as I crossed the line in front of my house, I pressed the lap button on my watch. 6:45. That can’t be right.
But it was. So I slowed even further for the third lap, running at what seemed like an incredibly slow pace. Again, over the line in 6:57.
I had planned to only run four miles, as a nice break in point for a second run of the week. But I was going to be damn if the last one was going to break the 7 minute mark after three great first laps.
Checking my time at the half distance mark, I realised I was only a couple of seconds inside my goal time. It was going to be tight.
I lengthened my stride, but became aware my strike rate dropped, so I increased that. Three quarters of the way round, I checked the time again. I had this.
The words “Finish strong” appeared in my mind, and I stepped on the gas. I have no idea what I looked like. I didn’t care.
At the line, as I slowed to a halt (instead of powering through) I checked the stopwatch one final time. 6:48.
This is the first time I’ve run four consecutive sub 7-minute miles in four years. And it’s only the beginning…
I am envious of your blistering pace there! Great run!
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That’s awesome! Great job! Last time I ran consecutive sub7 was only for a 5k and that hurt. Love reading your blog.. You’re fitness level is something I’m aspiring to get to
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Genetics – I got lucky in the draw. I’m nowhere as fit as I could be…
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that’s even better! that means you have room for improvement..i assume youre a sub3 marathoner? ever thought of qualifying for Olympics? I only ask because I used to run with a guy who run 2:20 marathons and *I think* qualified here…you’d be the second such person that’s near that ive talked to
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Well, I’ve yet to run y first marathon (scheduled for the end of September). I PB’d a 10k at 29:56 about four years ago, which left me wondering what could have been. Now I’m learning more and more races take age into account, I’m raring to go!
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Based on that PB, you’re looking at a 2:20 marathon. This one’s an excellent calculator:
https://www.mcmillanrunning.com/index.php/calcUsage/calculate
Even if you give/adjust 10 minutes or so for age/fitness, you’re already looking like a sub3. You’d be a Boston Qualifier here in the States 🙂
That’s awesome, mate!
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I’m planning on a 3:30 – but secretly hoping for more… Gotta keep it realistic
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Wow! That is a really great run! Way to stick with it and finish strong. It’s amazing what you can do when you really want something. Hopefully you can do it again! 🙂
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Oh, I did 😀 New post coming soon!
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