The Pinnacle!

This past Saturday was our 20 mile run- the longest run in our training schedule.  It's funny to think back to 2 months ago when I was like "OMGosh, that 20 mile run is going to be a killer! I must be crazy!" But now that I've done it, I don't feel crazy- just crazy good!!  What an accomplishment! This time last year, I hadn't even run a 10k nor did I really have a desire to run further than 3-5 miles.  Just goes to show you how quickly things can change.

As for the run itself.  I felt pretty good. My wind was good, my legs were strong, and I was in good spirits the whole run.  The only issue that started to creep up was a bit of a pull in the arch of my right foot and a small pain in my left ankle but nothing that was begging me to walk.  I told the hubster that I wanted to finish the run strong so our last mile was our fastest by 24 seconds.  Now that felt good!

Here's the stats from the Garmin:

distance- 20 miles

time- 3:20:13

pace- 10:00 min/mile pace dead on

total ascent and descent- 1987 ft. (out and back course)

We've been purposely running a bit of a hilly course because our marathon will be hilly.  We wanted to be prepared for everything. The true test to me on how a run goes it how you feel after you've stopped running and surprisingly, I felt less sore after this run than 14, 16, or 18.  I even decided to skip the ice bath this time because I was cold enough as it was.  (Did I mention this run was in below freezing temps?) The marathon should be warmer, probably in the high 40s, low 50s.  That will feel like summer compared to how cold it's been here lately.

I've noticed that I'm beginning to develop some long run day habits. I always eat the same thing pre-run- a waffle with PB- and I'm getting kind of superstitious about my eating out on the run.  I've got to have my GU Brew (blueberry pomegranate), this flavor has 2X the sodium which is important for me since I'm a very salty sweater.  And I'm also partial to the Key Lime Accel Gel and the Strawberry Clif Shot Bloks because they are about all I can stomach when I'm digging deep in the later miles.  I used to like the Raspberry Hammer Gel but for some reason they make me cringe now. Not sure what happened.  I never take anything with caffeine, mostly because my cardiologist told me not to (low BP issues) and maybe 5% because I feel like it's a little bit like cheating.  I want to know what my body can do without any "performance enhancers," you know?  To each his own, though. I certainly don't judge. Anyway, I guess I better make sure that I pack up all my sure things and take them with me for the race. Guess my "superstitions" aren't really too out there. When I start talking to my shoes before a race and not washing my favorite shirt for months- then I've got problems! :)

Less than 3 weeks to the big day!!!