Believing in my Pace!

I had a really incredible run on Saturday!

Saturday is long run day on my training schedule. I run slightly faster than most of the people in my Tuesday pace group, so I was invited to run with the next group up, even though I'm not really quite fast enough for them.

I've been running with them for about a month now, and it's starting to get easier. I like the challenge and feel like it is pushing me to improve.

Last week was a step back week, so we only run for 1:10. I managed to keep up a blazing fast (for me) average pace of 9:18 and I actually finished with some of the people who really do belong to the group! I also had enough energy left (and I thought I was out) to pull out a faster pace for the last half mile!

My stretch goal for my upcoming Denver Marathon is 4:09--a 9:31 pace. I have run this pace for a half marathon this spring, but holding it for a full marathon will be tough. This would be a huge PR for me--an hour off my first full marathon time of 5:08:58.

I have now learned that I have more in the tank than I thought. It is important to me that I believe and have experience at my race pace.

I will take whatever that day gives me--even if it is not my ultimate goal. The only thing I DON'T want to do is to give up on myself and not do the best run that I can.

My Husband, "Bunny Boy"

So we started our new training club session this week. DH (Dear Husband) and I signed up for the same pace group--The sub 2:00 half maratathon/4:00 marathon group. I want to do my next marathon in sub-4:30 so this is the correct group for me. I really like my coach, we'll call her "Buffy the Marathon Slayer".

So we show up for the workout. This is a 20 minute Endurance (think half-marathon) pace run. The coach said we were going to do this at a 9:00 mile pace. That's about right for me. So DH goes and just takes off! He is running 50 yards plus ahead of the group.

By the end of the session, he has decided to move up into the next pace group. This puzzles me because he complains that I do my over-distance workouts at too fast of a pace for him, yet he moves up into the next group. The biggest reason this bothers me though, is because I know I cant' run at that pace. Definitely not yet. I'm jealous, and that makes me feel bad because I really want to cheer for him. I am happy for him--really. The anger I feel is at myself--I'm a bad person for my feelings of jealousy. I am upset that I am letting my own ability as runner color my feelings for him. He has supported me unreservedly and deserves the same. I will get there--both in my feelings and hopefully in my pace. I guess it just takes me longer.