Birthday Challenge 20.5 mile run this morning. I had no intentions of doing this run this year due to the injuries and overall pain level I've dealt with for months. But as the night rolled on Monday night I just couldn't let the day pass and not try. So I decided if nothing else to get up and do a long run then see how the day went and at least be in position to finish it in the evening. So the morning run went great. Just kept it smooth and easy and only pushed the pace on the last 1.6 or so. Ended up hitting a 7:00 avg exactly for the 20.5 down on my river trails loop. Felt great other than from like 12.5-14 my left knee had some really sharp pain. But it came and went. 13.6 around the summer fields tempo loop and extended around the park a couple times in the fields by the river. Left the house and that same pain in the left knee was super sharp and painful from step one. But I just kept grinding through the first mile and by mile 3 I didn't feel it anymore. Didn't have a watch this time as I forgot to turn it off after the morning run. But pace and effort seemed about what I was running this morning. Got rained on pretty hard on the last 4 miles but it felt good- hands and forearms were pretty cold though by the end. Anyways got it in and the hip really felt pretty stable throughout. The left knee thing was and is now (post run) super painful. Hope I can work through it without big issues. Hoping the hip continues to improve. I've been using a ball and rolling on it belly down on the soas area and hip. Seems to really be helping.
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