Each Day Is a Gift

It's been said that *it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission*.  Well, I really didn't have time to ask for either.  I was NOT planning on doing a long run today.  

Dale ~ You are so funny!!!  All the scenarios you mentioned could very well describe silly ole' me! :)

SSF ~ I am sorry I didn't mention this run; but I thought I left a voice message in your cell blurting out somethin' about just finished a long run, blah blah blah!  But I was seriously very worried about you and the last thing I wanted to talk about was my silly unplanned long run!  Hope you forgive me, please! :)

My original plan was (I've been taking the one-day-at-a-time-approach) -  if the knee feels fine in the morning (it hurts the worst at night) run some 400 repeats either outside if weather permits or on the TM if not. 

This morning Karen text me about when to do our long run.  After telling her I planned to run on Sat., she sent me an alert about the possibility of 6-12 inches of snow accumulation on the bench.  She wanted to run the long run TODAY!!!  My first thought was: "What?!  I'm not afraid of snow!  I've run in all kinds of weather before! Plus, I am SO NOT ready to run long today!"   I mumbled something about how long run is the bread and butter of marathon training and should be well planned in advance, blah, blah, blah.  Well, may be I'm a push-over or perhaps in a sleep-deprived-state-of-mind, I agreed to run long, totally threw logic and sensibility out the window!  She showed up within 15 min. to drive us to the JRP.  Gulp! :)

I tried not to whine about it!  But seriously, the first 3 miles were painfully slow.  I was a huffing and a puffing right off the bat.  I had to WALK up the last hill at the top!  Very pathetic! :)  I tried to be very very careful going down the hills so the knee won't get mad at me. ;)  It was warm running north but cool quickly running south w/ a headwind!

Felt better as the run progressed.  We ran a faster AP today than last Friday's 18 miler on the same course.  We stopped twice to gu and potty break. 

19 miles in 3:12:57.  AP: 10:09.  Splits (for Karen's reference):  11:20 (told ya I was SLOW), 10:35, 10:25, 10:23, 11:36 (walking uphill), 10:45 (Gu), 10:11, 10:06, 9:47, 10:10, 10:20, 9:55, 9:40, 10:38 (Gu), 9:59, 9:33, 9:07, 9:33, 8:32.

So proud of Karen's tenacity and positive attitude running her longest run ever.  She is a GREAT runner and athlete!  She is going to do AWESOME on her first marathon in April.  I only wish I could run it with her!

Afterthought ~ SO GLAD we got'er done. The weather man is forecasting a winter storm warning this weekend!  Hubby is thinking about canceling the ski-trip to Deer Valley! ooookay!

****The aftermath ~ No time to stretch due to a busy afternoon and evening schedule.  The knee is complaining a bit (tight and tender at the tibial tuberosity).  Have been icing and heating after dinner.  Will see how it feels in the morning!