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Lucky 7’s

Five miles on the schedule today. One of those was to be a time trial, as per Jeff Galloway’s marathon training plan. I love these little time trials because I get to push myself, and I like that I’ve improved so far with each one.

Mile time trial 1 on 12/12: 8:09 pace
Mile time trial 2 on 2/20: 8:00 pace
Today was the third one (technically, I’m supposed to be on my fourth one but I missed the one in January somehow). I was sort of nervous before this one. I felt like it was going to be impossible to break the 8:00 pace. And we got up early, spent the first half of the day at the dog show and in the car, and I was hungry when I started my run.
Mile 1 is supposed to be slow and easy. I wasn’t sure how it was going to feel since I am still sore from Friday’s bike adventure (recap on that coming tomorrow). The first half mile was sort of uncomfortable — my left glute felt weird because I have a bruise on it. After about a half-mile, though, I felt good, except for my left shoe, which felt too tight and was making my toes numb. My right one was too loose. And I was wearing my old gray capris because I haven’t done laundry. They are too big. I purposely wore my iFitness belt with my phone/music in it to hold my pants up. Average pace: 10:53 
As I got closer to Mile 2, I gave myself a pep talk. I can do this. I’m faster now. Stronger. 
Mile 2 was the time trial. I took off on the same route I used for the first two trials, so I can make sure that I’m measuring them equally against each other. I was seeing sub-8’s and I felt really good for the first half mile. The second half, I had a sharp pain in my right rib and I was breathing HARD! But I just tried to hold on. Just .5 left…just .4…only .3…just .2…just .02! I stopped, leaned over and spit. I was dizzy and my side hurt, but that was quickly going away. Then I started a slow jog for Mile 3.
Because I am too lazy to figure out how to properly use my Garmin, I don’t know how to check my splits on my watch, and had no idea what my time trial pace was. So I just went about the rest of my run.
Mile 3 was recovery. I felt tired and done, but I trotted down U-go Hill (and up), deciding to do my 3-mile loop to finish off my run. Average pace: 10:39
By Mile 4, I felt pretty good, and I started to pick up the pace again. I just enjoyed myself and ran, remembering to keep my feet and hands low. Average pace: 9:56
By Mile 5, I wanted to run more than 5 miles, but I didn’t have the time for it. I was really enjoying myself even though I was running next to a busy road. I was way over in the muddy shoulder and was having to pick my steps carefully…I find this fun. I need to sign up for some trail runs. Average pace: 9:41
I had .3 left to get home and I just cruised on in. Mr. T and T Junior were napping upstairs where my computer was so I couldn’t look up my time right away. I hadn’t eaten lunch yet and it was almost 3, so I made myself some leftover and watched the Kentucky game. Around 3:30, I heard stirring so I went upstairs and plugged in my Garmin.
Mile 2: 7:49!
That is HUGE for me. HUGE. I think I can get faster. No, I KNOW I can! 
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21 comments

  1. Awesome!!!It's great when we do things we didn't think were possible. Then we start to realize how much more we are capable of. Congrats on your sub-8 min mile.

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  10. I love it! I was talking to a girlfriend the other day about her garmin and she had no clue how to work it. She had it set on speed instead of pace, she didnt know how to set the Laps. So I sat down a reprogramed her watch for her! lol The funny this is, is Im the same way but my hubby shows me how to do it, then I get to look smart infront of everyone else! lol AWESOME job on the 7:49! I just recently been hitting those 7's and it feels GOOD!

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