Why Always 9:36?

It's that time of year again. I'm dreaming about running 9:36 miles. Odd dream, eh?

My next race, Howl at the Moon 8-Hour ultra, is only 9 days away. Seems I keep thinking about the same goal...50 miles in 8 hours. Pedestrian 9:36 pace per mile. Easy, right? Not. It's usually too hot, too humid, too sunny. And I'm usually too under-trained. Not sure about the weather this year, but I'm certainly under-trained for an 8-hour adventure in the heat. I'm healthy and injury-free and that's half the battle! But I don't have the long runs that an ultra requires. Still, I'm slightly optimistic. I won't reach 50 miles in 8 hours (that would be delusional), but I may do well. I'll surely break 40 hours. Maybe hit 45 miles. That would be a good days work. Not 9:36 pace, but still a solid effort if I averaged 10:40 pace per mile. With aid station stops, shoe or sock changes, walking, and bathroom breaks, that 10:40 pace is really more like a 9:00 pace with slight interruptions. Doable, but not easy. 

So, for this Howl at the Moon, I won't average 9:36 miles. Maybe next year. The dream is over...at least for the next 10 days. 

After Howl at the Moon race, I have Tunnel Hill 50 miler in November. I am dreaming of an 8 hour finish at that race! It's only 9:36 pace per mile. Seems doable, right?