My fastest recorded mile ever!

Dave P Sat Oct 13, 2012 6:43 pm

The only time I really tried to time myself for a mile, it was on a track with my son Jacob & I was not trained for it – over 6 min. My fastest mile in a race, had been the ave 5:58 during my 5K PR in 2010 (18:30 finish.) I beat that today during the last mile of a 13.1!

I kept myself very disciplined during the first 12 miles of today’s Hartford Half. I kept telling myself (“don’t think you’re in a half, but think you’re in a full.”) I kept that thought in my head over & over – “do I feel relaxed enough? Could I keep this up for 26.2?” I felt very smooth & my breathing was extremely calm & relaxed. A few times I hi-fived some kids to help keep me relaxed & not get carried away. I realized by 12 miles that I absolutely nailed my Marathon goal pace (including still feeling relaxed & comfortable.) Goal was sub 7:15 (sub 3:10 full), & I averaged 7:08. I decided, “What the heck? Why not drop the hammer for the last mile?” …so I did,... passing people left & right,… barreling into the finish like it was a 100 meter dash, I did a 5:56 mile! I think I’m ready for the Big Apple in 3 weeks!

1- 7:38
2- 7:20
3- 6:52
4- 6:54
5- 7:24
6- 6:57
7- 6:57
8- 7:07
9- 7:17
10- 7:13
11- 6:50
12- 7:16
13- 5:56

You can see that a few times I tried to slow after seeing that I was going sub 7 min., only to unintentionally pick it up again.

Net finish: 1:32:31 (15 sec from a PR! & a few sec faster than this yr’s Ironhorse Half)