I am sitting at my desk following a 20 miler and I don't feel tired at all because I have aura of a runner's high blocking all the pain and discomfort from reaching my brain. While driving home, feeling great, I started to think about the last time I had a high like today. It was back in February after I PRed in a half marathon and broke 1:30 for the first time. I got to thinking about what the two runs had in common that lead to this great feeling. I came up with two things that I think are the key ingredients: speed and success. The first one is kind of obvious, you feel great after you burn up the course and set a PR or shatter some goal time you had in mind. The second one is a little more elusive. I think that you have to at least meet your expectations for the run, but it might be more than that. In the two runs I mentioned above I went well beyond my expectations and accomplished feats that I didn't imagine possible. That might be the key to my runner's high. The amazing feeling might be created by realizing that you can push well beyond what you thought possible and this leads to a new realm of possibilities which is very exciting and inspiring.

So what was the workout that has me all worked up today...I did a 20 miler with 7.5 mile fast finish. My plan was to go out at 7:49 pace and then average 7:10 for the fast finish with maybe the last two miles pushing 6:50 or so. Well I demolished that plan...I started out feeling really good during the run. I had two easy days prior, which I have not had in about 3 weeks so I was feeling great. I tried to keep my pace at 7:49 but I wouldn't be reigned in. I completed the first 11 miles at 7:30. Then for my fast finish I wanted to start out at 7:20, but I was already running at that pace so I pushed a little harder and was maintaining 7:00 pretty easily. Then 7:00 became too easy and I pushed it even further and was running 6:45 for a few miles and finished with a mile or so at nearly 6:30 pace!! For the 7.5 mile section I averaged 6:53 pace which was way beyond my expectation. In fact after 18 miles I was on BQ pace...that builds a ton of confidence for the actual race!!



Few more things from this week. I ran 60 miles this week, which is a new PR. The increased mileage makes me feel so much more confident and my pace has benefited as well. I have finally become completely comfortable in my neutral shoes. I love them and the feel much more natural. Now I have 4 pairs of support shoes that I have to use sparingly because they have actually started giving me pains even on just short recovery runs.



Two more hard weeks of training then taper starts for San Diego. Might do a tune up half marathon next week, but not sure.