Duh.
My training plan had the goal pace at 10:15. I decided to just go out slow and run at a pace that was comfortable for me since I wanted to make sure I didn't have to take any walk breaks. I ended up doing it at an average pace of 10:49. Even though this was 30 seconds off my target pace I am extremely happy with the run. I didn't have to walk at all (not even up hills!) and I felt really good (mostly) for the entire run.
Here's a look at the elevation/pace. The few little blips in my speed were to get rocks out from between the lugs in my Newtons and to check directions at one point so I didn't get lost. Otherwise I kept up a pretty constant pace, I even (barely) managed negative splits! Out of all those hills the one I was most worried about was that tiny one right at the end. Don't let it fool you. It may look like a tiny little thing but it is a steep, cruel, soul crushing hill. Coming up at the end of my runs I always dread it and usually end up walking it. BUT NOT THIS TIME! I pretty much just repeated NO NO NO NO NO the entire way up it.
This run I just focused on not walking and taking in water and fuel every mile. Gotta get used to eating on the run. I am finding that Shot Bloks are my fuel of choice. For this run I brought a pack of Bloks and some Sports Beans. At mile 4 and every mile after I took one Shot Blok. Once I ran out of those I switched to Beans.
I am still really concerned about the Newtons. I don't think they are going to work out. I get about 4 miles into a run and I get a pretty bad pain in my left foot that I can't ignore. Running another 16 miles with that pain is not fun. By the end of it I was tempted to take my shoes off to finish the last mile.
Overall this run made me feel quite confident that I can run my goal time of 4:30 in the New Jersey Marathon!
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