float your own boat

Hi!
A fair bit of running has occurred recently, most of it generally good. Today I did a (little, tiny) tempo run, mostly because I was afraid I was going to be late for a presentation...that I am currently being stood up for (the group just hasn't shown. I think they forgot about me). So I totally could have run longer. Which is frustrating. But in the end its alright, the tempo was sort of an experiment. I'd really like to get faster, usually when I run by myself I average 9 or 9:30 for a mile. Which is so comfortable, and totally fine, but I've been reading running blogs and there are lots and lots of runners out there who are totally comfortable at 8 or even 7:45 a mile for many many miles. Its inspiring and thought provoking. And winter (I think) is the perfect time to experiment, given that the 'ol treadmill will set the pace for you. Today I warmed up with a 10 minute mile then did an 8, a half mile at 8:27, a half mile back at 8 again and then the final mile at 8:40. There should have been a cool down mile after that, or maybe another interval of 8 and then a cool down, but I looked at the clock and got scared I would be late if I kept going, so I called it good and headed out.
This weekend is the 10 miler and I still haven't registered or anything. I am apathetic as hell about it. I did an 8 miler last weekend that went by pretty quickly--I managed a negative split for the out and back, which was cool. But I am not really sure I want to commit myself to doing 10 miles even if it is really cold (all this treadmill running has turned me into a wuss) - it is supposed to be in the mid 20s, which isn't bad. But isn't 40 degrees either. If I don't do it I'll probably go out and do another long run on my own anyway, but I won't have to drive (or pay) to do it.