Week 8 Tempo Run

I just finished the longest tempo run (8 miles) and, probably, the most difficult workout of this buildup. I was 17 seconds slower per mile over the 8 miles (7:40) than I was over 7 miles (7:23) last Thursday. A couple of thoughts as to why: 1) the most obvious is that this week's tempo run was a mile longer, 2) it came after the highest mileage week (44) of my life, and 3) last week's tempo run came after a recovery week, which included lower mileage (33) and no tempo or interval work. I'm pleased with the effort. I don't think that I can run a marathon at 7:40 pace, but I do think that I can run a marathon at a pace faster than 9:16 (which was my pace at Missoula). I hope to come out somewhere in between. There's no question that I'm 10x fitter, but I don't want to get my hopes up by posting any unrealistic goals here.