AP 9:20s. Done and done. The longest mileage I have done since running Park City last August. Started at 9:00 p.m. Finished just after midnight. Scott is on-call all weekend so there was no other way to get it done and I am SO glad to not have it hanging over my head all weekend. We went out to dinner and did a pizza thing and didn't get done eating until about 7:30 so I was a little nervous about running on a full stomach, but I took an Aleve and an Immodium right before starting and loaded up on the Gatorade throughout. Miles 1-10 went really well, averaging 9:13s. By mile 10 I was feeling warmed up and really strong; then around Mile 11 GI issues hit and my stomach started cramping. Slowed down to 10 minute miles and struggled from 11-15. Around 15 started to feel better and by 17/18 felt really strong again and finished the last 2 miles very strong with mile 19 around an 8:15 I think. Got to watch Pirates 1 and part of Pirates 2, which helped with the run. Overall was very pleased with how not bad it was. I struggled for those few miles and had to slow the pace, but overall things felt good and it wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be given that I haven't done 20+ in 9 months, I was doing it late at night on a full stomach, and its just really high mileage for me. I kept telling myself before "Its just 20. Its just 20."--trying to adjust my mindset. At this point in my running career, mentally for me 12 and under is great; 12-16 or so is okay; but 17+ still gets me a little nervous about how my stomach is going to deal and if I will be able to go strong throughout. I need to get over that, and hopefully will sometime in my running career but tonight was a good small step because it wasn't that bad--not sure how else to say it. Hope everyone else's big mile runs go well tomorrow! As for me, I have earned a cross-training day that I am going to relish tomorrow...Almost 1 a.m. now and time for bed. Sipping my chocolate milk--nectar from the running gods--SMOOTH I will never be able to thank you enough for introducing me to it post-run--and will be off to bed! |