Today's run went really well, as the final long run before the marathon, it was a great confidence booster.  The race staff organized a run on the course with mile markers and water, so I got to do something that was pretty close to a dress rehearsal.  Since I was doing 22 today, I figured I would do one loop of the course, then go over it again, but only for nine miles.

Luckily, about 3 miles into it, I found a couple of guys who were running about my pace.  We cruised along somewhere around 7:20 pace.  I felt real relaxed, and having people to run with made the first 13 go by very quick.  At the halfway point is where the workout really began.  Right away I was able to drop it down to marathon pace, and I kept it there, between 6:15 -6:20, for the next eight miles (through 21.)  Then I jogged an easy mile to cool down.  Unfortunately I screwed up the splits on my watch so I don't have an accurate account of the overall time, but I'm pretty sure it was probably somewhere around 2:35. 

This was a great confidence builder because I was able to easily at marathon pace for the last 8 of a 22 miler at the end of a 72 mile week (which also happened to be the most miles I've run during a chemo week.)  When race day comes, I should be totally recovered and rested (and no chemo fatigue to deal with, my next cycle starts the day after the race.)

Finally all the really hard stuff is OVER! Now just to rest, relax, and maintain for the next three weeks.

Total for the week: 72
         for the  year: 991

 

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