Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The 8:31 Mile

Thank you, Google!
So, last week I broke the 9 minute mile barrier.  I honestly didn't think I had it in me - in fact, the 9-10 minute per mile pace feels like a pretty hard effort to me.  But, it was 60 degrees out and the sun was getting ready to set and I've been doing most of my runs on the treadmill, so it felt great just to be outside.  And I was pushing the four-mile loop around my house and I just felt really strong on mile 2, so I decided to push that mile just about as hard as I could.  And I ran it in 8:31, according to Ms. Garmin. I haven't done that since I left the Army, at least 7 years ago.

And, if I can do one mile at 8:31, I can build up to do more miles at a little slower than that pace, right?  Surely I could do more miles at the 9:00 pace. I could run a 10K at that pace. I could conceivably (someday) run a half-marathon at that pace, couldn't I?  Now, I'm not going to do it next week, or even next month... but I wonder if it's doable within the year? Am I out of my freakin' mind?  What say you, running guru buddies?  What's your best speed-building tip?

16 comments:

  1. You so have it in you! Throw some faster runs in and press up on that zone. Not crazy at all. Dream big!

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  2. congrats! breaking barriers is so exciting :) you can so do it! i think regular speedwork is the key to getting faster and having fast endurance

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  3. Yes, you can do it! I'm enjoying track intervals these days, which I hope are building up my speed.

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  4. So inspiring, Terri!
    I know you have it in you! You are so dedicated. :) I hope I have it in me, too!

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  5. No way are you out of your mind! YOU CAN DO IT! I know you can.

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  6. not crazy at all! you can totally do it! I did speed work and hill repeats (followed hal higdon intermediate training) for my 2nd 1/2. I shaved 13 minutes off too. Never thought it was possible and I have only gotten faster.

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  7. Congrats! Where's there's one sub-9 mile, there's more.

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  8. wow! i'm in the over 10 m/m crowd, so i really have no clue what's possible, but it certainly doesn't hurt to go for it!!

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  9. I say that's freaking awesome! Way to go! I think we all underestimate ourselves. If you keep pushing yourself you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish:) I was very recently a 10 min miler as well:)

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  10. Just checking to see if you are still participating in the Virtual 5k - ends Saturday.

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  11. I am just here to express admiration and jealousy. I've only once saw one single and lonely mile of mine in a faster than 9 minute/mile pace and was never able to repeat it afterwards. But I totally believe that you can do the 9 minute miles no problem! :-)

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  12. You inspire me, I hope that one day I can possess the same motivation that you have, and fingers crossed run quicker!!!! Quick question - what email address is best to contact you, so I can send you some fund-raising ideas!

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  13. Nice job on the fast run! I hope one day to be that fast!

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  15. I can totally relate and this very scenario happened to me about one year ago in the Spring and then beginning this past Fall...and I just kept going and pushing the speed during short runs. I ran my Fall mini-marathon in Tulsa at 9:00 minutes per mile and almost broke 2:00!! I started as a 10-11 minute miler and worked down. You CAN do it!

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  16. Thank you, everyone! :) I really think I could do a sub-2 hour half. Maybe not right now, but at some future point, if I keep working at it.

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