I DID IT!!! I ran 19 miles without any injury issues. Farthest ever. 8:33 average pace for all 19 but I did run negative splits. First 11 miles average 8:38. Last 8 miles average 8:25.
I had to run by myself the whole way which was lonely. The good part about running by myself though was that every time I felt even the slightest leg pain, I slowed and concentrated on my form. I found that when I did that I was able to get back up to speed quickly enough and the pain would go away. I also took the downhills very, very slow so as to not aggrevate my IT band. I was running very careful the whole way.
I was cold for 2 hours. My face felt frozen and I couldn't make a fist. I didn't dress warmly enough. I've got to figure out what to wear for my marathon so I'm more comfortable. My muscles did feel tight during the middle and the last part of the run... I don't know if that was because of the cold or because I had been running so long.
I tried to imagine if I could pull off continuing this pace for another 7 miles at the end of today's run.... It was scary to think about. Cardio speaking I felt GREAT. I felt like I definitely had more energy... But my legs... I just wondered if they would be able to carry me another 7 miles.
After today I do think it's feasible that I could maybe pull off a 3:45 or 3:50 for my marathon on Nov 14th. Since this is my first marathon, I'm just not going to give myself the added pressure this time to try to qualify for Boston. Maybe next time.
Today was a great run. I am so happy!! I wish I could sleep now though. When you have two babies, you have to come home and go right to work.
Splits
mile 1 - 8:18
mile 2 - 8:33
mile 3 - 8:51
mile 4 - 8:36
mile 5 - 8:36
mile 6 - 8:35
mile 7 - 8:35
mile 8 - 8:42
mile 9 - 8:49
mile 10 - 8:42
mile 11 - 8:41
mile 12 - 8:24
mile 13 - 8:20
mile 14 - 8:25
mile 15 - 8:35
mile 16 - 8:27
mile 17 - 8:28
mile 18 - 8:34
mile 19 - 8:06
mile 19.2 (last .2 mile) - 8:27 | 