How to fit a race into your long run

A couple of weeks ago I was wanting to run a local 15k race while also fitting in a 20 mile long run. After conferring with my running partner, we decided to simply run the course twice: easy first, then race it. Another running friend joined us in this insanity.

Before the volunteers arrived, before the course pylons were out, and before the sun rose, we ran 9.3 miles at an easy pace. I had not brought a flash light and parts of the course through a park did not have any street lights. However, my eyes adjusted to the available light that was projected from my running partner's flashlight.

We mostly discussed our own craziness for running the course twice. I felt like it would be a good way to have a negative split on the long run. We finished the pre-run in about 1:20:00 and had enough time to hit the port-a-potties, get our timing chips, down a Gu, and get to the start.

There were definitely more runners and even water stops on the second round. We all felt pretty good and came in faster than expected. Having other runners to race against made me push it more than I would have by myself. I finished in 1:04:29 for an average pace of about 6:55.

It was fun morning. And now all thoughts turn to the marathon that is 3 weeks away. Taper time.