18 ... Check

It's been a few days since I've lasted posted ... I've been on-the-go this weekend. Long story short - took Friday off, ran 18 miles on Saturday and recovered with three today. Now the long story version. There's not much to say about Friday except that I didn't run, I went to the Hurricanes game and then to my friend's apartment. Oh and I might have enjoyed some beers, too. :-) I ended up hitting the hay probably a little too late considering the 18-miler I had slated for the next morning. Let's just say that next morning came quicker than I wanted it to. Waking up with a pounding headache isn't the best way to wake up on a long run day. I took some Ibuprofin and tried to get a little bit more sleep before I attempted got moving. After finally forcing myself out of bed - I headed for the kitchen and ate a South Beach protein bar, drank lots of water and prepped myself for a long time on the pavement. Let me break this one down for you ... check list before the run: water belt - check, two packs of GU - check, charged Garmin watch - check, charged iPod - check, route directions - check. And the check list after: aching ankle - check, tingling legs - check, drooping eyes - check, chub rub - check, under arm rash - check, sports bra rash - check. Hmmm. Running is so glamorous, isn't it? I literally crawled up to my third floor apartment, threw open the door, looked at Chris in desperation and laid on the floor.

It could have been worse - the run wasn't as bad as I make it sound and I actually did very well. It was a beautiful October day in Raleigh - mid-70s with a nice breeze. I started out feeling great, like I was running on air. I had my first GU pack (Chocolate Outrage) around the eight-mile mark. The first mistake - I inhaled my water very early into the run. Around mile nine I started with the unexpected roller coaster. I couldn't have mapped a hillier run than I did. Another mistake was not driving the run that I mapped on MapMyRun the night before. These hills were exhausting and my legs were burning with pain. By this time my water had run dry. I felt like I was licking cement on a sticky summer day. The hills ceased (for the most part) around mile 13 or 14. I remember that because this is about where I started talking to myself out loud in hopes to motivate my rear end to the finish. I had my second GU pack about that time as well.

I had to stop and stretch/walk multiple times but I never stopped for long. I don't beat myself up over having to stop but it's not something I like to do. At mile 16 I passed Burger King so I ran in and asked for some water. Chugging those two cups of water was like I died and went to heaven at that moment. I filled up my water bottles on my belt and finished the final two miles fairly strong. Water made all the difference.

Time wise - I'm very proud of my performance. I averaged 8:45 minute miles, which includes all my stops to stretch and walk since I never stopped my watch during those times. While I was running I kept between 7:40 and 8:30 minute miles. With the hills, the stops and the lack of water ... I think all in all it was a very successful run, despite the many pains.

Today was probably the first time throughout my training that I ran a recovery run the day after a long run. I did a simple three-mile run.. It was probably good for my legs because they've been pretty sore since the run yesterday.

I can't believe the Baltimore half-marathon is this coming weekend! I'm looking forward to it but I also tend to work myself up with anticipation before races (not like I've run that many). I got the same way before field hockey games too so it's not surprising that I get a butterfly overload. I'm not sure if I'll alter my workouts this week due to the race this weekend. I was talking with my sister and she told me to treat this as a part of my marathon training and to keep with my regimen as it is. She suggested that instead of taking only Friday off, to take off Thursday and Friday so I'm refreshed before the race Saturday morning.

I'll update my weekly training schedule tonight or tomorrow. Also, stay tuned for my Baltimore half marathon running mix!! Thanks for reading! Happy training!