From 30 to 40

A six-miler at marathon pace (8:49) yesterday afternoon capped off June's training. Here is last month's statistical rundown:

• Total Miles: 119 miles (21 runs, 1 engagement)
• Highest Weekly: 32 miles
  
• Average Weekly: 27 miles
  
• Average Pace: 10:00.43 per mile
  
• Longest/Fastest Run: 12 miles @ 10:05 pace
  
• The Monthly Dif: +51 miles (68 miles in May)

My average speed took a slight dive this month, but I feel like I'm getting faster. Last night's run felt easy, and that's how marathon pace should feel--that is, unless you're actually running a marathon.

July's mileage will creep up to 40 per week, approaching last year's peak (43 miles in September 2009). I will continue to improve my speed by focusing on middle distance tempo runs, many marathon race pace miles, and hills, hills, and more hills.

I'd like to find a race. Something in the neighborhood of a 10-K. I'm still miffed that the Davey Tree 10-K was canceled. The race organizers decided to drop the 10-K event, which my first ever race, and change the 5-K to an admittedly more interesting point-to-point course.

However, the race now starts 6 p.m. and "finishes during the evenving [sic] events and firewaorks [sic again] at the Kent Heritage Festival." Tell me, who the fuck wants to wait around all day for a piddly three miles on a holiday weekend? Not only will it be hot as balls, but there are barbecues and beverages to be had.

If I had the money to throw away, maybe I'd run it drunk just for shits and giggles.