I nailed my goal pace of staying comfortable, somewhere between 8:30-9:30 per mile, until the last three miles when I kicked it up to my targeted marathon race pace of around an 8:00 mile.
Mile 1 – 9:52
Mile 2 – 8:42
Mile 3 – 8:20
Mile 4 – 8:27
Mile 5 – 8:39
Mile 6 – 8:43
Mile 7 – 8:11
Mile 8 – 8:19
Mile 9 – 8:44
Mile 10 – 8:36
Mile 11 – 8:27
Mile 12 – 8:34
Mile 13 – 8:17
Mile 14 – 8:25
Mile 15 – 8:32
Mile 16 – 8:04
Mile 17 -7:53
Mile 18 – 7:47
It’s no secret that I’m on a mission to qualify for the 2013 Boston Marathon. I missed my 3:40:00 qualifying time by less than two minutes at MCM this fall (finishing in 3:41:56). I was very happy with my new marathon PR when I crossed that Finish Line, but it left me extremely hungry for that BQ time. Not gonna lie.
I believe, with every ounce of my spirit, that I will GET. IT. DONE. at the Rock n Roll USA Marathon on March 17, 2012.
I’m training smart. I’m building my mileage. I’m nailing my paces. I’m determined and I’m dedicated.
Today’s long run proved to me that I’m totally and absolutely capable of doing what I’m setting out to do. The pace was comfortable the whole way. And when I kicked it up a notch to my race pace for the last three miles, I wasn’t dying. I was strong. And I felt stronger and stronger with each mile until I reached the finish of my run, blissed out and exhilarated. Proud and happy.
Today I overcame stomach issues (a pit stop in the woods at Mile 15 was less than fun). I conquered self doubt (negative thoughts arise in almost every run, I let them go on their merry way). I stayed the course and I persevered. And I will continue to do that until I cross the Finish Line of my next 26.2 on March 17th. I will not give up.
