Time: 1:13:31
Pace: 9:11 min/mi
Comments: So I got all impulsive last night and signed up for the Cowtown Marathon on February 28. That's a short seven weeks to get up to 13 miles. I've felt pretty strong the last two weeks so I figured I had better give myself a little test today.
The plan was six miles but eight if I felt I could manage it. It started off cold and unpleasant. I waited until after noon when temps got out of the 30s but it was still damn brisk getting started. This played into my plans on the second half of the run.
After the very un-fun first two miles I started warming up and getting into the rhythm of the run. At the 3.5 mile point I felt eight miles was realistic and began concentrating on that goal. I honestly felt pretty good the whole way but the last mile or so was certainly a challenge to my conditioning.
Still the splits -- except for the first mile -- stayed very much around the nine-minute mark; no more than ten seconds either way. Which is the most positive sign for my hopes at actually doing this race thus far.
Conditions
Hour: 12:45 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: clear
Temperature: 45 degrees
Humidity: 43 percent
Wind: 5 mph
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Asics Gel-Kayano 21
Injury update: Tightness in my lower left calf on the last two miles.