Eight by Eight

Summary Data
Total Time (h:m:s)	1:10:17	8:44 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	1:10:10	8:43 pace
Distance (mi )	8.04
Moving Speed (mph)	6.9 avg.	12.4 max.
Elevation Gain (ft)	+185 / -185
Temperature (°F)	33.8°F avg.	33.8°F high
Wind Speed ( mph)	NW 5.2 avg.	NW 5.8 max.

Start time: 06:19:40 AM

I really enjoyed this morning's run--the weather was nearly perfect, I left late so I had daylight during the entire run, and frankly, there is something about the simple challenge and accomplishment of the long day that is highly satisfying. I tried to keep myself at about an 8:15-8:30 mile pace through the run and did pretty well. The 2nd-7th miles stayed close to pace overall.

Dist

Dur

A Spd

1.00	00:09:02	6.6
2.00	00:08:28	7.1
3.00	00:08:20	7.2
4.00	00:08:21	7.2
5.00	00:08:20	7.3
6.00	00:08:15	7.3
7.00	00:08:26	7.1
8.00	00:10:17	5.9
8.04	00:00:41	4.2

Since I was heading North on the path, I had my first experience of feeling like a real runner---I ran out 4 miles, but it would have been just as easy to run out 5 or 10 (insofar as that is where the path went). The 7-mile run (South) has a pretty clear endpoint and it is hard to motivate oneself to tack on a few here-and-there miles. I like the beginning-to-end quality and the challenge of having to get back from wherever I run. No HR data today (just forgot) and I found myself wondering if the run felt especially free today in part because I did not have the strap around my chest.

Although there are definitely hard days, I think that the program I have going is pretty smart. I am thoroughly enjoying the progress I am making while not overworking myself. Considering that just six months ago I was "kicking it up a notch" and running for 30-35 minutes on the treadmill, the 1:10 today really felt like I had done something---especially because I got back and felt like I had run a very reasonable pace.