13.33 miles…but numbers just don’t tell the whole story. I can now claim to have covered the distance of a mini-marathon. That should be a big confidence boost, but unfortunately we picked an extremely grueling mountainous route (if you were driving you’d say that it was hilly, but when you’re on foot you’d have to call it mountainous!). Intentionally or unintentionally, I think that we are over-doing it on the hills. (I could go on here and cite Hal Higdon recommendations on pace, etc., but I’ll save that for later.) I did finish the 13.33, but I felt like I could barely take another step, much less press on toward our real goal of 26.2.
Sorry the confidence boost that should come with the completion of the mini didn’t come through for you. Training regimes are hard to stick with, but I’m sure you guys will get back on track. Kelly says that these guys that run marathons at 4 and 5 minute miles train at 9 and 10 minutes – it’s all about a realistic estimate of what you’re shooting for pace-wise, then building the base and not flaming out too early, well, from what I hear
For now just feel good about getting it done. Impressive mileage! Two more months to wear out the rubber on your shoes and put in those miles – go Bobby!