Run More, Run Slower

If it was left to me, I would probably just run to enjoy being outside and occasionally enjoy the company of other runners. However, I did talk myself into my first marathon in 2009. I used my own made up training schedule - loosely based on Higdon - and finished with 3:32:41 (8:07 pace). "I don't know why anybody would want to do that," I said to my wife after crossing the finish line.

Last summer/fall I used the Run Less, Run Faster book/training progam to BQ with 3:15:13 (7:26 pace). The BQ attempt was mainly the idea of my running partner Tim. Although his BQ requirement was much slower, he ended up finishing with me.

We have kept up our base mileage and speed throughout the winter. A recent long run of 15 miles was around 7:45 average pace. I have been running every day since starting "Run or Profess Your Love for Muskrat Love Challenge."

Last night's group run included some discussion on hitting the fastest BQ time of 3:05 and what pace that actually was. Tim, who must have been a coach or trainer in a former life, said I'm running more now than last year and am ready a new PR. I replied I'm on the "Run More, Run Slower" program.

And thus I get this text last night from Tim the Torcherer: "We only have to average 7:03 to run a 3:05 marathon. You in?"

I did not reply until around lunch today. Careful to avoid committing, I wrote, "3:05 is for wimps. Go for 3. Only 10 secs faster."

The next text from Tim: "I was a bit apprehensive about a 6:51 pace, but now that you are all in I'll consider it."

The nerve. "You know what they say about people who ASSume?" I sent back.

And he said, "Some people don't know how to commit without a little prodding. So what do you think, 3:05 or 3:00?"

I texted back, "I figure if you say 3:05 this year you'll just say 3:00 next time. And we ain't getting younger."

"Atta boy," was his last response.

Aside from a small desire to go sub-20:00 in a 5k, I had not yet felt a need to do much racing this year. Maybe I need to find a new running group...