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Saturday, December 08, 2007

8 on the 8th

The best thing about a virtual race is that there is no pre-set start time. Thus, I took advantage of sleeping in on my Saturday and saved my 8 miles for this evening.

The "race" went well: No line at registration, no crowds at the start line, and I was able to pace myself pretty consistently.

Mile 1: 9:51
Mile 2: 9:46
Mile 3: 10:46 (walked while I took my GU and drank half my water)
Mile 4: 10:14
Mile 5: 10:06
Mile 6: 9:55
Mile 7: 10:02
Mile 8: 9:43

Total Time: 1:20:26

I wanted to finish in 80 minutes or less, but I missed that goal by 26 seconds (maybe I need to learn to take a GU and drink my water while running -- but I don't know if I'll ever be that coordinated). But aside from falling short, just slightly, of my goal time, I can call it a PR (since it's my one and only 8 mile race) and that makes for an excellent race.

Hope everyone else's 8 was grrrrrr8!

24 comments:

Junie B said...

way to go Jess!! virtual races are indeed grrrrrrreat!

brunettechicagogal said...

Nice job! I miss winter racing.

Viv said...

WTG on the PR, and awesome on the no crowds at the start line ;-)

Erin said...

Good job. I wonder if your virtual racers skipped the race-I don't see their recaps here.

BTW, MN is f-ing cold. Minneapolis, -3 degrees, Sunrise, 80 degrees. Hmmm...where do you think I would rather be? I have turned soft in my old age and no matter how many surprises or girlfriends I see, their warmth and love can't keep my toes warm. Other than the cold, this has been a great trip.

L*I*S*A said...

Great job!! I only managed 5 miles, so I guess I'll call mine an 8K on the 8th.

Laura N said...

Woohoo! Great 8!

David said...

That's a great result! Since you hadn't "raced" this distance before, I think you pretty much hit your goal, with as abstract as it must have been to establish before hand. Way to go, and especially keeping moving while refuling. You made progress, which is better than stopping and letting the muscles start to tighten.

Man, I loved the lack of crowd and easy start proceedures in this race!

Christie said...

Great job on the 8.

MNFirefly said...

Awesome job, Jess!

Unknown said...

Nice job. I'm particularly impressed with your even pacing (something I obviously need to work on...LOL).

I'm lobbying for 9 on the 9th next month...

Rich said...

Oh, the GU and water on the run is a must-have to propel you into the elite ranks! Don't worry, it's one of the few things in life that's easier to do than it sounds!

Wes said...

Well done, Jess! 8 miles in 80 minutes is awesome!!! 26 seconds not withstanding!!

ws said...

Great job, Jess. Congrats on the PR...

Marcy said...

AWESOME JOB CHICA!!! And congrats on the PR!!! WHOOOOO HOOOO!!! ;D ;D

J~Mom said...

Great job!!! Your time and pacing are awesome! I really need to even out my pacing.

Anonymous said...

Sorry I missed it but it seems like you did well.

Unknown said...

Nice race!! I am starting to like virtual races better than real ones. The lack of a crowd really wins me over.

home fitness

Nancy said...

Fantastic, you are getting speedy.

Thanks for joining in, glad you had fun!

Anonymous said...

Great job!!

keith said...

Hell of a job, jess. You should try a gu holder instead of the packets. Less mess, lots faster.

Triseverance said...

Excellent, I have never run a virtual race. Interesting

Mendy said...

Great times for that race! Loved the race too, but I slacked off and did it a day late.

Nice pacing! Very consistent. Great job, Jess!!!

Vickie said...

Great job! Glad you could join our race! Nice even pacing too. And you probably had great weather too!

Scott McMurtrey said...

congrats on the awesome pr. i pr'd for an 8 mile distance, too. i think we're both pretty awesome.