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Badger Badger Badger Mushroom

Two days of posts in a row...what a streak!

So this go-round I've changed up the way I count my mileage a little bit. I've started implementing Badger Miles for my mileage days.

Badger Miles are pretty simple: base your mileage for a run off of the time spent running, while assuming that you are running an arbitrary (and conservative pace). For me -- and I think the way these are normally done -- I assume 7 minute pace. So, for example, if I'm doing 10 miles, I'll run for 70 minutes instead of stopping the clock whenever I finish the 10 mile loop.

The idea is to overestimate your pace (as in, the slowest you'll run is that pace, but typically you'll run faster) and thus underestimate mileage. For me, most of my loops aren't exactly accurate and are actually probably a little short. So this way, by overestimating pace, I know at the very least I'm running as far as I think I am; in reality it's probably actually a little longer.

Like I said, I got into a bad habit last summer and fall of running too short, so that the mileage on my logs was a little inflated. Not a good thing for the marathon, where more is better. I don't know if this makes any real difference in fitness, but I'm just doing it to be nitpicky and thorough and maybe a little mentally tougher. Anything will help improve the next marathon.

Oh, and I should mention that I believe -- don't quote me on this -- that they're called Badger Miles because the Wisconsin team popularized them? Anyway, it's a just a little experiment, but so far I like it.

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