Sunday Long Run

This week was a bit messed up since I had to do my longer run on Sunday vs. Saturday due to a change in my work schedule. Advanced Marathoning has long runs on Sunday and typically (I say typically cause all kinds of things could be changing with a new manager doing schedules) I work on Saturday night and have Sunday off, so Sunday as a long run day might just work better anyway, but we'll see. Anyway, I did do the long run today....15 miles of it. That's more a "mid-distance run" I'd say, normally, at least for marathon training the shortest long run I think I do is around 12? If I remember right. But 15, when I'm not officially into a program yet (it's not 18 weeks out yet and I haven't "officially" decided on or registered for anything as of yet...) but according to Advanced Marathoning, in just the basic glimpses I've given the programs at least, long runs, for pacing that I want to run my marathon at, are typically done first half at around 9:30 or so pace, increasing to 8:50 or so for the second half of the run...OK, so how about this?

Mile 1 – 9:34
Mile 2 – 9:16
Mile 3 – 9:05
Mile 4 – 9:20
Mile 5 – 9:04
Mile 6 – 9:10
Mile 7 – 9:10
Mile 8 – 8:51
Mile 9 – 8:44
Mile 10 – 8:51
Mile 11 – 9:02 (this mile did start with an uphill)
Mile 12 – 8:49
Mile 13 – 8:42
Mile 14 – 8:47
Mile 15 – 8:46

Not bad. Almost all negative splits and except for mile 11, all at or around 8:50 or better. I guess I've managed to maintain something. It was a nice calm day too. No wind. The temps at start were 16, supposedly felt like 14, that's not a major issue. At finish (2:15 later) around 20 degrees. So weather, not actually a factor. I guess I've grown a lot in my running too. Used to be I didn't run outside unless it was at least just below freezing...I have a lot of warm stuff now and I feel pretty good on the runs, at least by 8-10 minutes in. I was maybe even a bit overdressed, but I don't mind being overdressed, would rather be too warm than too cold. It's just amazing how much you can sweat even when you are out in the cold like that. I also didn't take any food or water or 'ade of any kind on the run. OK, yes, not smart, but hey, I made it and think how my runs will be when I do take them!!

On a side note, I just talked to MNFirefly and she has completed P. F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll half, she's guessing on a finish time around 2:28, which is awesome. She has had some injuries she's been dealing with not to mention a starting temp of 29, in Phoenix, yes, you read that right!! She's warming up though and getting herself ready for the party tonight where she plans on having a few beers and having a fun night. Big congrats on the finish!!