I had intended to do a run of about 6-7 miles today but I just never got going and by the time I headed out the door to do my run, I had to hurry it up because Lauren was going to be getting into the Wantagh train station at 1835 (giving me about an hour to run, shower, get to the train station). I decided to run a little quicker than I have been and do only about 3-4 miles. I felt good, even if it was brief. Here's the damage:

5k (3.1 miles) in 23:10

including:
Mile 1- 7:30
Mile 2- 15:10 (7:40 mile)
Mile 3- 22:34 (7:24 mile)
5k- 23:10 (36 second for 0.1 mile)

This felt pretty easy, obviously a faster pace than I've been doing for my runs of late but I guess one quick run won't hurt. The funny thing is, this is only 30 seconds slower than the 5k I ran in September and I was really shot at the end of that. How far I've come! Anyway, I managed to shower and get down to the train to pick up the darling girlfriend and a good time was had by all :)

Tonight was the first day in my marathon training that I had a running partner. And I actually had TWO running partners for that matter. Lauren and I noticed that we happened to have the same distance scheduled for today, and considering we live relatively close, we planned on running together in the park. Scott decided that he wanted to stop being a lazy bum and celebrate being done with the semester by accompanying us. I was really happy and excited about these developments for a number of reasons. First, while I don't usually like running with people, it IS a nice change of pace to have someone sharing in your sufferring/joy/every other thing you feel on a run. Also, I like encouraging people to run, so anytime I can get Scott to get out and come with me is a good day in my book. And my problem, especially on shorter runs like a 5k, is that I go too fast for it to really count as an easy run, and Lauren mentioned that she wouldn't mind being pushed a little harder on hers, so it was a perfect match there. They'd help keep me running easier, I'd have them working a little harder. Too bad they were both kind of sick with head and chest issues :-/ Still, we had a lovely run in almost too warm temps at Eisenhower. Here's the damage:

5k (3.1 miles) in 31:00 (10:00 pace)

This may seem pretty slow, but one needs to keep in mind that we didn't really know where we were going, aside from the directions I wrote down from the route I mapped online that was kind of unclear. And they were sickly. And it was dark. So, overall I say this was a great run, everyone got something positive out of it. And I'm sure this isn't the last time I will be talking about partner running during training.

aaaaand arguably the best part.... PANCAKES AND EGGS FOR DINNER when we got home! with strawberries! Heaven!

ran the mile loop of my neighborhood for an easy 5k this evening. Mom and Dad gave me an early, and much appreciated Christmas present today: RUNNING TIGHTS! Not many people would be as excited as I am to get tight-fitting, black spandex tights, but considering how cold it's been getting, and how much I'm going to be running in the coming weeks, this was a perfect and very useful gift. So I had to try them out tonight right away, and they work great! Here's the damage:

5k (3.1 miles) in 26:29 (8:31 pace)

mile 1: 8:43
mile 2: 17:22 (8:39 mile)
mile 3: 25:48 (8:26 mile)
3.1: 26:29 (0.1 in :41, 6:50 pace)

Ran within myself, didn't push it even though I was tempted to. I'm realizing that my weeks are kind of backloaded, mileage-wise, but I still manage to somewhat stick to the hard-easy principle. Tomorrow is going to be the longest mid-week run thus far, 15k! and it's supposed to snow! yikes!

So after a few consecutive runs this week of not-inconsequential length all done under 8:00 pace, tonight I went to the track to really focus on running easy. After all, tomorrow is a 12 mile long run, the longest run of training to this point, and the second longest run for me ever. It'll also probably be the longest run ever for me in terms of time because I will not be going at 7:27/mile. My goal is to do it in 8:30-8:45 pace, get a good 1:45:00 on my feet and call it a great week. That's the plan at least, and leading up to it meant that tonight absolutely NO pushing it. Here's the damage:

5k (3.1 miles) in 28:37 (9:13 pace)

mile 1: 9:22
mile 2: 18:46 (9:24 mile)
mile 3: 27:46 (9:00 mile)

0-1.5: 14:01 (9:20 pace)
1.5-3: 13:46 (9:10 pace)
3-3.1 in :51 (8:30 pace)

I hit my goal perfectly. Did run a negative split still which is good, but I said I wanted something around a 9:00-9:30 pace and that's what I did. This felt SOOOO EASY, and it also felt so short. I really prefer the longer runs, they allow me to get into my groove and just go for a while with my thoughts and enjoy many different areas around where I live. These short, easy runs, they feel like the end so quickly after they start. It usually takes me a good 3 miles or so to get settled on my longer runs. They're a good change of pace though. And it always amuses me when I tell someone, "I only ran 3 miles today" and they look at me incredulously and say "ONLY!?!?"

ps...GOOD LUCK TOMORROW LAUREN!!!
that is, if you make it to the start line :)

Today was by far going to be the easiest run of the week. A mere 5k. Yes, 3.1 miles has officially become a break, so to speak. A month ago, 3 miles was pushing the upper limit of what I was running on a regular basis. This week, 3 miles is just more than half of the next shortest run (5 miles last night). It reminds me of the quote I found somewhere of "You know you're a runner when... you try to convince your your friends to run a 5K because it's 'only 3 miles'" Well for me, that's become the case and I LOVE IT. Here's the damage:

5k (3.1 miles) in 27:50 (8:58 pace)

including
Mile 1: 9:00
Mile 2: 18:00 (9:00)
Mile 3: 27:00 (9:00)
Mile 3.1: 27:50

WOW! What remarkable consistency there. Seriously, exact splits, I'm very pleased. That marks two consecutive easy runs- at exactly the same pace no less! This may have to do with the tiredness from subbing early in the morning and the inevitable crash and pass out on the living room floor around 5pm both yesterday and today but I'll take it. Better night's sleep tonight and another 10k tomorrow. And I'm actually looking forward to all this. To quote a hilarious, and very true Adidas ad campaign, "Runners, yeah we're different"