Official
race results are in for today's Shooting Star 4M race.
If you've read the previous
post, you'll know the reason why I'm disregarding my race results. ;-)
If not, you can read that race report either by scrolling down on the main page of this blog or clicking
here.
My official time was 41:43, or a 10:26 pace, but this obviously isn't accurate since I got a late start & didn't join the race until a few minutes after the gun went off!
As I mentioned in the previous post, I think I ran closer to a 9:30-9:45ish pace.
Well, it looks like Erik is right about me being able to go faster NOW. He said this to me a few road races ago, when he observed that, strangely enough, my 5K race pace was way too close to my 10K race pace! ;-) [This was because I was previously running 6-7 miles on a regular basis (& 8-10 miles on my weekend long-distance runs) & needed to shake things up a bit in my training, vary distances & types of runs/workouts, & add strength-training, all of which I've since done. And it's helped
immensely!]
Looking at the races I've done over the past few months, it's obvious that I don't yet know where "the line" is when it comes to establishing where my pace is "supposed to be," & am still trying to discover how fast I can truly go. To quote Erik, I "don't yet know what's possible or where the limits of (my) abilities are," which is actually a good thing, as it leaves the door wide open for what can be done. :)
Of course, the only way to find out is to keep testing myself.
One thing is clear: From today's performance, I know I have it in me to go much faster NOW.
Maybe if I keep working at it, I can get back to running 7:30's or 8's again. Who knows?
Well, one step at a time. First I need to work my way down to 9's, which I definitely think I can do. :)
I am also very encouraged by a fellow running club member whom I chatted with after today's road race, who told me that he went from running 11-12 minute miles to running 8 minute miles. Wow! What an inspiration he is!
I know it's going to take a lot of work, but am willing to do what's necessary to get there!
If you've read the previous post, you'll know the reason why I'm disregarding my race results. ;-)
If not, you can read that race report either by scrolling down on the main page of this blog or clicking here.
My official time was 41:43, or a 10:26 pace, but this obviously isn't accurate since I got a late start & didn't join the race until a few minutes after the gun went off!
As I mentioned in the previous post, I think I ran closer to a 9:30-9:45ish pace.
Well, it looks like Erik is right about me being able to go faster NOW. He said this to me a few road races ago, when he observed that, strangely enough, my 5K race pace was way too close to my 10K race pace! ;-) [This was because I was previously running 6-7 miles on a regular basis (& 8-10 miles on my weekend long-distance runs) & needed to shake things up a bit in my training, vary distances & types of runs/workouts, & add strength-training, all of which I've since done. And it's helped immensely!]
Looking at the races I've done over the past few months, it's obvious that I don't yet know where "the line" is when it comes to establishing where my pace is "supposed to be," & am still trying to discover how fast I can truly go. To quote Erik, I "don't yet know what's possible or where the limits of (my) abilities are," which is actually a good thing, as it leaves the door wide open for what can be done. :)
Of course, the only way to find out is to keep testing myself.
One thing is clear: From today's performance, I know I have it in me to go much faster NOW.
Maybe if I keep working at it, I can get back to running 7:30's or 8's again. Who knows?
Well, one step at a time. First I need to work my way down to 9's, which I definitely think I can do. :)
I am also very encouraged by a fellow running club member whom I chatted with after today's road race, who told me that he went from running 11-12 minute miles to running 8 minute miles. Wow! What an inspiration he is!
I know it's going to take a lot of work, but am willing to do what's necessary to get there!