20 Miles

Leading up to this run, we had a few great shorter runs. We did a 10 miler that felt great and boosted my confidence. Then a few days later we did an 8 miler that felt even better. Both runs our pace was about two minutes/mile faster than our 18 miler. Wow, what an improvement! And, one that gave us a big moral boost.

The night before we ran our 20 miler we put Gatorade and gu/blocks/jelly beans out about every three miles. It was the perfect fueling system.

Right before we took off on our run, I ate three blocks. We did the first ten miles in 2 hours exactly! We felt awesome! We felt pretty great until about mile 17 and things started to cause a little more pain. Still, we made it home in 4:11!!! We did 20 miles more than 30 minutes faster than we did 18!!!

We are feeling on top of the world right now. I feel like I can actually do this. I really think I can do this marathon! So happy right now!

18 miles

This one was rough. Mentally (and probably physically) I wasn't ready. The night before my hip started to really bother me. I stressed about being able to even run the race, let alone the next days run. I planned on running a few miles and then throwing in the towel when my hip started hurting.

We started our run, and my hip didn't hurt. We kept going. Then at about mile six my stomach started giving me fits. I felt so sick I had to hunch over for the next three miles to the gas stop. I didn't feel much better after a visit to the ladies room. I planned on running a mile or so, then throw in the towel and call Scott to come get me. We went a few miles more, and my stomach pain went away. Once we hit mile 9 I decided I would finish even if I had to walk home.

We ended up walking quite a bit. We let the hills stress us out and decided to walk rather than run up them. It took us 4:49 to complete it. It was a very long, slow process. But we did it.

I felt like this run was key for learning a little mental toughness.

16 Miles

I've missed a lot of blogging. I want to remember all this, so I guess if you're reading this, then your along for a ride. :) Here's me making up lost posts.

Christmas Break happened. Three weeks visiting family, friends, and food. Lots and lots of food, mostly of the sugar variety. I only ran three times. Pretty sad. I realized I really need my running buddy and that elevation/inversions/allergies are great excuses for not running.

Despite the lack of running over the break, I realized I couldn't deviate from my schedule when I got back. I jumped right into the 16 miler. It hurt. Physically I wasn't ready for it. We walked a lot, felt the pain, but survived.

Lesson learned, don't give up on the schedule... it knows what it's doing. :)