Longest Run Ever

Yesterday, I completed my longest run ever - 20 miles. I was nervous going into the day. My previous high was 16 miles last year, and 14 miles this season. I wasn't sure I would be able to make the extra distance. Every time I finish a half marathon, I feel like I have given it my all, and there is no way I could go any further. It would all be tested on Saturday.

I woke up at 4:10am to meet my friend to get an early start. She prefers to go earlier in the day for long runs so we can finish earlier. I was hesitant to wake up this early, but I am sure glad that I did. We met in the pitch darkness of the morning. I was surprised to see 6 people from another group already there to run. There were 4 in our group, so there are at least 10 crazy people in the area. We ran with headlamps and a little but of conversation. I was scared after the first mile - I seemed to be having problems breathing. I felt like I was going too fast, but there was no choice. I did not have my own lamp, and there was no way I was going to be by myself in the dark. The others were able to slow for me, though, and we ran 5 miles before heading back to meet the group.

It turned out to be an extra benefit for me. My Garmin watch failed after 4.8 miles. I was lucky to be able to reset it in the parking lot before the main group run began. It would have been really horrible to have it fail during the main run.

We began the big group run with a 10 miler on a familiar path. I felt like I was doing quite well at first, but became tired on the return. Of course I was tired! By that time, I was in the 13th mile of my day. We returned to the start and our group began to break up according to how long everyone was to run. The longer distance group went out again. I maintained my place in the back of the 5 person main group. I was tired, but overall, felt surprisingly good.

Soon, I was saying goodbye to my friends. I was so glad to have run the 5 miles so early, so I was able to cut the run short and head back to the car. I was lucky to meet another Galloway runner on the path heading back to the lake. She had lost her legs during her run, and fell behind her group. It was so nice to have someone to finish the last 2.5 miles. It really helps to have someone to talk to at that point. She was great, but soon we were parting ways. She had another 3 miles to finish when I was done. I headed home after about 5 1/2 hours of running.

I felt OK when I got home. Stretching was tough, but I put on my compression socks. This morning, my legs feel pretty good, but I do have soreness in my hips. I have 2 more training runs (23 mi and 26 mi) plus the actual marathon. I am beginning to think I can really do it.

Why can't I wake up?

Ever since Monday, I have had problems waking up in the morning. I know it is because of daylight savings time. It is so dark in the morning that your mind feels like you should not be getting up. I know others have been having this same problem; Bill hasn't been getting out of bed as quickly and my colleagues have been commenting on the same problem.

It is difficult because we do things in the morning. Our dogs have been getting shorter walks. I had to cut one on my runs this week down because I left the house so late. For the other run, I went as far as I wanted, but I was very late for work. I am ready for the days to get longer. I like waking up to a little bit of daylight. Getting up and going out for a run in the dark is tough.

Thank goodness for the weekends. It should be light when I wake up tomorrow!

Yep, it was cold

Today is the regular day for our Galloway running group. We usually run about 10 miles (sometimes more) on Saturdays. Normally, hubby and I would both go, but this week was a little different. B had a procedure done on his foot this week (nothing major) and was told not to run for 1 week. So, it was all me this morning when the alarm went off at 5:45 am.

To top the early hour, it was also a little chilly. It was in the 20s this morning when I left the house. I thought about calling off the run, but I went anyway. Luckily, once you start running, you warm up pretty quickly. After about 2 miles, the gloves were off. About a mile later, the jacket was off. Of course, when we took a long walk break, everything went back on for at least a little bit. I did run/walk for 10.6 mile this morning. I'm glad I went. I am still a little cold now, but I'm sure I will be warm soon.

2008 Coach Bubba

This morning, Bill and I participated in the Coach Bubba 4 mile run (as apposed to the 20K which was run at roughly the same time). It was a little tough getting out of the bed at 7:25 am to get ready for the race. It was especially difficult since it was overcast, foggy, and raining just a little bit. We went anyway, and in the end, we were glad we did.

Despite being down with the flu last week, Bill ran a great race. He had a good pace and finished in just over 37 minutes. I set a personal record for a 4 mile run at about 49:30. It beat my 4 on the Fourth race last July by several minutes. I am going to wait for the official time to post, and I need to check last year's time, but I think I knocked about 5 minutes from my time. It was great to have run and get home by 10:00 am. I feel like I have accomplished so much already today. We have a few errands to run this afternoon, then we have a hockey game tonight at the early start time of 5:00 pm. It just means we will be drinking beer (which is a great re-hydration drink) at The Sauce that much earlier.

GO CANES!!

***UPDATE*** The Canes crushed the Caps 6-3 in a fantastic and exciting game! The lead the SE division by 6 points as of Saturday evening.