Training Acro-Numerical Soup

Week 14, Key Run #2: 7.5 miles in :61:00 min. @ 6:40 a.m.
Plan: 1 mile ez, 5 miles @ LT pace, 1 mile ez
Weather: Cloudy, 36°F, 81% Humidity, Wind: W @ 9 mph; feels like 29°F.
Target Tempo Pace: 8:06 min/mi (LT) for 5 miles, 8:26 min/mi (ez)
Actual Tempo Pace: 8:01 min/mi (LT), 8:28 min/mi (ez), 8:09 overall
Course: One Five One LT Training Run (loop, mixed flat & hills, roads), found on USATF Map It!
"...EZ pace is about one minute per mile slower than your marathon pace."...
"'LT' pace, about marathon pace minus 30 to 50 seconds per mile.."
~Runner's World Magazine
Pre-Run Ruminations: It's becoming clear to me that the ability to properly calculate mathematical formulas using one's mile paces is a much larger part of high level training than I initially thought. Of course, if I were really training at a high level, I would have someone (a coach?) to help me figure these out. Since I'm not (and don't), I continue to use a variety of calculators and formulas found online and primarily at Runner's World.

Today's term du jour is "LT" or "long tempo," which is your marathon pace (MP) + 30-50 seconds. So if my PMP (Planned Marathon Pace) is the same as my MP (or 7:26 min/mile), then my LT is 8:06 min/mi. My "ez" pace would then be (7:26 + 1:00 =) 8:26 min/mi.

Given these two values, a cumulative run of 7 miles (5 @ LP and 2 @ ez) shoudl take me approximately (40:24 + 16:52) about 57:16. Before even setting foot out the door, this acro-numerical soup is making my head hurt!

Post-Run Reflections: Though I felt somewhat heavy today, I did successfully meet all the numerical/time objectives as set forth in my pre-run planning. It seems as though in addition to training my legs and body, I am a side effect of planning is an improvement in my mathematical skills... who'd a thunk it?

Laissez les bon temps rouler!