Pace seems to be subjective

Its interesting, I read a blog and see someone talking about their "slow" seven minute mile, and I think - "Crap! That isn't even my FAST mile!"   Then I post how I took it easy, and ran a 9:15 mile.  The response I get are often the same.

One of the great things about running, is that "Fast" and "Slow" are both subjective.  Last night I headed out to do 4 miles. (It seems that this is my new "short" run - considering I am training for 26.2. )  My goal was to average an 8:30 pace.

I have no idea what happened.

My first mile was right on.. Then the second was an uphill -so I tried to concentrate on keeping the pace I wanted.  Well, I was 7 seconds faster.  (The fact there were other runners there had NOTHING to do with it!)

The nice thing about an out and back? Is if your second mile is up hill - than that third mile is down hill. (Still runners there too.. I know that isn't relevant, just saying.)  Obviously with a down hill I could pick up the speed with no increase in effort.   I hit that 3rd mile marker and headed into my 4th, and I won't lie.  I was feeling the pace in my legs.  Good thing I can be stubborn right?  I figured I could keep my planned pace and do an 8:30 here...

Or maybe I can keep my negative splits going and run 1 second faster than my 8:06 I had for my 3rd mile...


This was a quick run for me, although I know some of you have a "quick" pace that is faster, and some that is slower - I was quite pleased with it.  I had been pleased with my time 10 days ago:

and I averaged 17 seconds a mile faster today!

I am a little sore today as well, though not as sore as I expected.  Even my feet are less sore than I predicted!  It seems my body might actually be healing faster! (and that the KT Tape really helps with the Plantar Fasciitis! I will post pictures of the two taping methods I used tomorrow ) That's Excellent!

I do want to mention that while pace is subjective.. I did catch everyone that I saw running.  (Never mind the fact one was wearing 25 pounds of weights, and for all I know the others were doing 15 miles...)

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