Long Run = Success ... Now Give Me a Beer

I'm excited to write about my long run today but I don't have a whole lot of energy left in me so this might be a short one. Knocked out 12.25 miles and felt absolutely great. My breathing was awesome and I hardly felt fatigued; however my legs started talking about halfway through and were screaming by the end of the run. I just figure that's just how it's going to be. I'm sure there are few and far between who can run long distances without those aches and pains. I also think that's a sign of worn down shoes, so I'm looking forward to getting mine in the mail this next week. They're much needed!

Again, pace has been a tough battle for me ... slowing it down, that is. Today I averaged a 9.29 pace, which shows a lot of discipline on my end. Apparently you are supposed to slow up your long run pace two minutes or so per mile. I don't think I want to slow it down any more than I have, but it's also good to know that I'm slightly ahead of where I need to be. Hopefully with the adrenaline on race morning I will surprise myself with a four hour jolt of energy and speed! :-)

Around the 7.5 mile mark, I tried a cranberry apple GU Chomp. I loved it! It's basically a fruity gummy and who doesn't like gummies! :-) Mentally that may have given me an extra something but I don't know how much I gained from it.

My sister, Marley, and my brother-in-law's sister, Ashley (both runners as well) ran with me today. They are training for the Baltimore half-marathon. We stayed together and carried conversation for 10.5 miles and then I finished up a little less than a couple more myself. Running with someone else makes a world of difference for me - it's someone to hold you accountable, someone to occupy your mind from any pain and someone else setting out to do the same thing you are. Another sister of mine, Meg, just registered today for the OBX half-marathon so we'll be able to drink a beer together after I finish the full! Being able to run/race with my sisters is one of the greatest things about this sport for me. I mean if you think about it I'm combining two things that are very dear to me, which is great motivation. Whenever you feel like you can't go another mile, think of the reasons you're out there in the first place. A big reason for me is the strength that my family gives me.

Ok - I know I said this wouldn't be long but I guess like during my run today, I got a second wind. Now, it's time to celebrate a great run and the holiday weekend with some cold beverages! :-)

My Date with Garmin

That was fun! Yes, I'm talking about my run today. First of all, I lied ... the run today was supposed to be a six to seven miler, not five to six. So why in the heck did I enjoy my six mile run?!

Like I said in my last entry, my Garmin watch came in the mail yesterday so I got to try it out today. When I got home from work this evening, running was hardly on my radar. However, I got a sudden jolt of energy that came from who knows where so I quickly changed into running clothes while it lasted, grabbed my watch and walked out the door. It was so great to leave my apartment without having to map a run online before I left.

The six miles felt like nothing - I was flying! I must have looked at my watch every half mile but they seemed to pass by quicker than usual. I still need to read through the manual because it looks like it has a lot more than I thought but the time, pace, distance and calories burnt will keep me occupied at least for a little while. Now you don't have to tell me twice, or even once, that this excitement will wear off. I know that. But don't spoil my fun just yet. :-) Unlike most running days I didn't wear my iPod either. I didn't quite do the hill workout I mentioned I was going to attempt. Instead I just created the most random run I possibly could have. I kicked up my pace a bit and made sure I hit a fair share of hills.

Now that I have a Garmin ... I need some new shoes. Mine have seen much better days! Any suggestions?

Only 39 more days until the Baltimore half ...