T-minus eight days, we are a go for liftoff

In trying to make the decision whether to run the US Half Marathon in eight days, I took the last chance to do a longish run to try it out before I have to take it easy with shorter distances for the next week. I ran roughly eleven and a half miles at a 9:40 pace. I don’t think I’ll be beating my 2004 time, but for most of the 11.55 miles I felt like I could maintain the pace indefinitely. Every time I looked at my heart monitor I was running between 160 and 165, which is real moderate for me, a little less than 80% of MaxHR. If I can not push too hard, I can definitely squeeze out another mile and a half to finish the 13.1 miles next Sunday.

11.55 miles in 1:51:48. That’s the longest I’ve run all year, and my first trip into double-digit mileage. I’ve done several 9-milers, but I was still worried about the leap up to 13.1. I’m not worried any longer.

This Sunday I have a nice flat 5K I can do. With the weather we’ve been having it should be a beautiful morning for it. It’ll be fun to cut loose a little and not worry as much about keeping a sustainable pace, and the company on club runs is always welcome.