My schedule had me down for four miles at 8:15 - I’d misremembered it though, and did a bit over five instead. This is probably good, considering that I was still way under on mileage this week. I really want to do well in a variety of conditions, so I went to run the more hilly neighborhood route rather than the flat loops at the trail or my local park. The weather was wonderful: 78 degrees and only 45% humidity feels amazingly cool and refreshing after a Texas summer. Anyway, about the run; I’m getting better at pacing, even if I was a touch too slow:

Time: 8:20 - 8:23 - 8:25 - 8:24 - 8:25 - 7.46 (.15 miles)

The good news - really good news - is that there’s no significant variance in my pacing between going uphill and downhill. I managed an 8:22 overall, which is only 7 seconds off my target. That’s thirty seconds faster than the last time I tried this course at marathon pace, and a lot more consistent to boot. The first five miles were also four minutes faster than my last five mile race, so I’m really looking forward to bashing that time down in November!

Finally, I’d like to say congratulations to everyone who ran their big race this weekend, especially to those of you who were hitting that distance for the first time ever. You guys really rock, especially from down here where we’re four months behind y’all in the racing season! What an inspiration you all are, really. Check out their stories: Dianna, Mark, Mike, Marshall (50 miles!), April-Anne, Hillary, and Michelle! I’m sure I’ve missed someone: if I have, just send me the link. Whoo!

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