This morning I ran to school. I got a little bit of a late start, so I took the shortest route – 5.5 miles. I took it comfortably easy and averaged 8:46 a mile.
After school I coached my Hillview runners but did not run with them. I sent them home and then took off for my weekly long run. I left Hillview at about 4 p.m. and ran the most circuitous route home that you could imagine. Total distance 18 miles. Total time – 2:36:30 for an 8:42 pace. Clay happened to see me so he pulled over and joined me for part of my last mile. Thanks Clay….

I think I am getting the hang of the forward lean that I learned about from Coach Pat Connelly in a clinic this past summer. When I feel myself starting to drag a bit I focus on bringing my hips just a bit forward and whoosh, I am back up to speed (woosh is definitely a relative term here…..)

With my last 2 18 milers comfortable in the 8:45 pace range, I am beginning to feel a little bit confident that I could actually maintain 8:00 miles in my upcoming marathon. This would put me in under 3 hours and 30 minutes and would qualify me for the Boston Marathon.