Hey again!  I just wanted to post up regarding my most recent run.  I'd set one of goals to be able to run a decent pace for 15 minutes straight.  I'm also looking for a longer term "stretch goal" of being able the run the entire 8k "Run! Geek! Run!" event without having to walk.  A stretch goal is a goal that would be nice to achieve, but it's a bit of stretch... I won't be crushed or anything if it doesn't happen.  It would just be a nice bonus.

In an effort to work on both of these, the wife and I decided to check out the course for the 8k run.  I did my usual 10 minute warm-up walk, then started jogging.  Here are the basic stats:

• Distance: 5.2 miles
• Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes
• Pace: 14:10 minutes per mile

The cool part isn't the pace, time or distance...  What's cool is that I managed to get a full 12 minutes running before backing off!  What's even better is that I didn't feel horrible while doing it (or after).  I probably was capable of hammering out the additional three minutes, but it wouldn't have been wise, so we backed off.  My running pace for the 12 minutes was 9:54 min/mile, which is about as slow as I can go and still be running.  But, I'm somewhat amazed that I could maintain it for the full 12 minutes. :)

My best pace during that was 9:13, but I only managed that for a minute or so.

The other cool part is that we did the entire course.  About half of it was walking, but it proved the first part of my stretch goal... I can complete the race!  I still may not be able to run the entire thing, but I'll finish and I probably won't be near death at the finish line. ;)

We're going to be doing an easy run tonight, due to weather (it will probably rain).  I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get the full 15 minute run within a week or so.  Then I can see how much more distance I can safely get and continue to work on my stretch goal.

BTW...  my Saucony Grid C2 Roadsters kind of rock and are perfect for this kind of running. :)