My plan, to take Fridays off on the weekends Pam works, and run on those days is a hit! I’ll definitely do this for future marathon training!

I got up a little early, ate and got ready before taking K to school. I headed out to Waterfall Glen for 2 loops. Coach Jen had this run scheduled at slower than race pace over all.She wanted me to start slow and then pick it up for a few miles. I felt good. I started slow, ran the first mile at 12:15 and settled in at about 11:40 per mile after that. The first loop wasn’t bad. The trail was pretty solid, and there weren’t many people out there. At mile 7, I added in @DP_Turtle‘s hill…the “Heartbreak Hill” clone. And I  admit I took his name in vain, as I swore a few times on it. I decided the hill needed a name of it’s own so I dubbed it “The Effing Asshat”. Seemed fitting at the time.

I got back to the cars to refuel and was met by @suegelber! Sue had come out to run 10 miles or so. Perfect, as that’s about what I had left. About 2.5 miles into the second loop, Sue realized she had dropped her phone. She headed back to get it and at that point I figured I could do a couple of out and backs to wrap up the run, so I headed back too.

While the first 10.5 miles were on solid footing, the last 9.5 were sloppy. I was a muddy mess! My shoes look nasty, and I have to clean them up. Luckily I have 2 pair I’m rotating, so I didn’t have to clean them right away.

On mile 16 I saw two women on horse back and gave them an odd look…I was wondering if they were real or if I was hallucinating. They saw my odd look and asked if I was ok. I told them I was 16 miles into a 20 mile run and was hoping that they were in fact real and on horses. Both ladies assured me they were real and were on horse. PHEW, no hallucinations for me.

I ended up holding an 11:45 pace over all. I’m happy with that. The 28th will be more at race pace, I’m assuming. I’m glad I got the run in. I fought the urge to walk the last 4 miles, and kept moving. It was more of a shuffle at that point, but I was moving. I did get a little dizzy on the last mile but nothing major, I had a feeling like I had to clear the cobwebs before driving. In-race nutrition and hydration wise, fluid intake went well as did nutrition…I think!

I got back to the cars, stretched a bit and then ate in the car. I planned ahead and packed food in a cooler. I’m glad I did. I had a half hour drive home, I wouldn’t have made it.

I got home, had an ice bath, got cleaned up and foam rolled again…and ate again. I had plenty of time to do that and rest for a half an hour before going to pick up the girls. Like I said, doing long runs on Friday is a great idea. I got my run in and didn’t have to worry about finding someone to watch the girls. And I had all weekend to hang out with the girls.

All in all, I felt good. I needed this run. It is a definitely a big confidence boost. Bring on Austin! And bring on the hills!