It has been an amazing two months of running since Houston. Just competed in the Eastern States 20 miler for the 5th straight year and I finally found a way to master that course. The first year I ran the Eastern States, I found myself on cloud 9 because I had found out three days earlier that I would be running the Boston Marathon. This year though, I finally found a way to get through that course in an amazing time. Thank you to the wind for not showing up. I went out right on the pace I wanted and was 10 miles deep in an hour and four minutes. A guy I had been running with for the majority of the first half joked with me that I had three months to my next marathon and why I would want to give such a huge effort. I just looked back at him and said, "what to see what I do on the second half".
It is always great when you can back up your words with actions. I got myself to 14 miles feeling strong and decided that with a little less than 10,000 meters to run that it was time to see what I was made of. Mile 15 was decent at 6:02 and I wondered if the pick up had come to early but turns out I was just getting started.
Mile 16: 5:56
Mile 17: 5:51
Mile 18: 5:46
Mile 19: 5:47
Mile 20: 5:44 (fastest mile the whole race)
I'm proving to myself that I can handle even more than I believe. It is so inspiring to see my 20 mile pr go from 2:09 down to 2:04 in one year. I honestly believe I should be readjusting my goals for Grandma's marathon but at this point I'm going to keep on running and improving.
Keep the faith!
