so close but yet...

I woke up this morning at my usual 4:15, and went through the routine as usual. Today was my double run day, so I got my things together and headed out the door at 5:00 am for work. I got to running and felt a little sluggish for the first mile, so figured I would take it easy, especially seeing that I had another 7 miles this afternoon to run.
I made the turn onto the Brooklyn Bridge (roughly 1.5 miles from my door), and as I headed up the "hill" I realized that the sluggish feeling had been replaced by a nice smooth stride, easy breathing, I felt light on my feet, and my pace seemed to be a bit quicker than usual. I decided to go with it and see how the run developed, so over the bridge and into Manhattan I went.
About 4 miles in I still felt great (the ever elusive runners high had set in), and I checked my watch... I was well ahead of my usual pace! I usually get to work in about 1:06-1:10. I kept my mind clear, enjoyed the music and the feel of the road under me.
At 1.5 miles to go, it was obvious to me that I was right at the edge of breaking the 1 hour mark for my run. This motivated me like nothing has recently. I haven't felt that push against the clock in a VERY long time, and it felt incredible!
With half a mile to go, I was now at 57 minutes and change, and breathing hard. I was really pushing the pace and running as hard as I could.
I hit the corner of 47th and Broadway (my endpoint) and stopped the clock. Out of breath, hot, sweaty, and feeling better than I had in many morning runs, I looked at my watch.
1:00:13
13 seconds. Less than 2 seconds per mile. Less than one traffic signal that I waited for. 13 measly seconds stood between me and 59 minutes, but...
6 minutes.
6 minutes was the time between today's run and my best to date for this route. I pushed myself, and ran almost a full minute per mile faster than my previous best!
Those 13 seconds will be mine, just not today.

This afternoons run was rough. It was hot, I was tired, and I was SLOW.
1:18.
At the end of it all, 2 runs, 14 miles, 1 PR, and I am off tomorrow, so the weekend begins :)

knickerbocker 60k

Well sitting on a fence for long enough, and a few dogfish head 90 min ipa's will get me places :)
Earlier this year I applied for the NYC Marathon and did not get in. I was offered a spot through a friend that runs a non-profit agency (thanks Adriana), but I was not confident that I could raise the money, and did not want to take the spot of someone who could.
Well, fast forward to a few minutes ago...
I have known that the marathon would only be a stepping stone on my way to bigger goals, so when I saw that the registration had opened for the Knickerbocker 60K, I knew deep down inside that I would toe that line. What I didn't know, up until about 5 minutes ago that is, was that I would commit to it tonight.
Like I stated earlier... a fence and some dogfish, and I am now officially entered into a 60K (37.2 mile) run, one week after my Tough Mudder double :)
Time to finish my beer and get some sleep.... I have some training to get to tomorrow :)