Uh oh. I hope I am not coming down with something. I am soooooo tired. Yesterday I pretty much didn't do anything except for sleep and run. I slept until 11 in the morning, took a two hour nap and was still tired. My run revitalized me until about mile 5.5, when my stomach felt awful. (Luckily I only had .5 miles left at that point).
I had thought about taking something like Airborne or Zicam, but I've taken them before when I've felt this way and all they do is hold off the sickness until you feel a little bit better but not completely. You end up stopping them because you just want to get sick and get it over with. My co-worker also went through this last week. This is NOT optimal timing for me to get sick. I have too much to do at work and of course, the marathon is Sunday. (Oh, and a 12 hour drive home. I guess luckily, Bill is doing the driving.)
OR maybe I am not sick at all. My sister visited us this weekend and we ate food that was a LOT richer than normal. We had a lot more fat too. That DOES always make me feel a little more sluggish and makes my stomach hurt a little. I also felt a little like this when I was fat-loading for the Chicago marathon.
Anyway, I can't believe that the marathon is this week! On one hand, it seems like I've been training forever, but on the other hand the whole thing seems so soon!
Bill and I are going to run together until the marathoners and half-marathoners split up. We have decided that runningwise we are good for each other. I help him keep pace so that he's not tired at the end and he keeps me chatting, which helps the run go faster. I also hope to run with Sarah from the Roncker's group. She's good for me too, for the same reason (plus she is good at helping me keep my pace!)
I am planning on running with the 4:30 pace group, and then if I have extra energy at the end, picking it up for the last few miles.
Oh, and also ( a bit of patting myself on the back here) I guess I really HAVE lost some belly fat. (I always start to doubt this when I look in the mirror. I guess I just get used to the way I look.) I put my pants on today that I just bought in September for my high school reunion and they don't fit!They are down by my hip bones and my belt doesn't even HAVE a notch to make them fit (it would have to be about an inch and a half out from the last notch). And when I looked at the most worn notch from before, it was the second to last one! So I don't feel AS bad about indulging on two donuts yesterday :)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Spring Has Sprung
Last night Bill and I went for our short recovery run in Riverside Park. I really haven't been in Riverside Park in awhile (except to walk our dog) and it was BEAUTIFUL. There were all of these pink trees in bloom (three different kinds...I don't know what they are but they are really pretty). It was still light out, and it seemed like everyone was out! I told Bill that it is pretty funny because in Cincinnati on a sunny Saturday, at Sawyer Point (the park downtown by the riverside) if there were that many people out everyone would say the park was crowded! I guess I just can't get over how many more people live in New York. I mean, it was a Tuesday night!
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, because every Saturday or Sunday in Central Park there are so many runners that it looks like there is a race every week. I guess too that parks are much more important here because they are like an oasis in the middle of the city.
Anyway, I digress.
My little, easy 20 minute run was HARD. It's not like my legs are sore or anything, they are just TIRED. It is an effort to move them to run. Bill was more sore from his run, which I think makes sense since he ran his farthest distance ever this weekend. I don't know. I have never had my legs feel this tired. I was thinking it might be all the walking I do here as opposed to Cincinnati, but I have been walking that much since the beginning of this marathon training. I am also a bit stressed out at work, so maybe that is contributing.
Tonight is supposed to be a 40 minute run. I don't know. I might move that to tomorrow. My legs are just soooooo tired.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, because every Saturday or Sunday in Central Park there are so many runners that it looks like there is a race every week. I guess too that parks are much more important here because they are like an oasis in the middle of the city.
Anyway, I digress.
My little, easy 20 minute run was HARD. It's not like my legs are sore or anything, they are just TIRED. It is an effort to move them to run. Bill was more sore from his run, which I think makes sense since he ran his farthest distance ever this weekend. I don't know. I have never had my legs feel this tired. I was thinking it might be all the walking I do here as opposed to Cincinnati, but I have been walking that much since the beginning of this marathon training. I am also a bit stressed out at work, so maybe that is contributing.
Tonight is supposed to be a 40 minute run. I don't know. I might move that to tomorrow. My legs are just soooooo tired.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Final 14
Yesterday I had my last truly long run before the marathon. It worked out well too, because this was the week both Bill and I had to run the same mileage at the same pace. So we ran together in Central Park, trying to incorporate some extra hills just for good measure.
It is amazing to me how much concentration it actually takes to run at your "goal pace". Mine is a ten-minute mile and I really had to think about what I was doing. It is crazy though because I was dead on. When we hit one mile we were at 9:50, at 4 we were at 40:09, at 5.4 we were at 54:00 and at 10 we were at 1:40. We finished our 14 miles at 2:20.30...30 seconds off! I think I should be a paceleader (just kidding of course).
I learned though, that by taking it out at my goal pace (ok, I was a smidge faster, but then I slowed it down quickly) instead of the faster pace that I usually take, and keeping that pace, I actually have energy to go through my entire race. Usually I hit mile 5 and am exhausted. I know this is not rocket science to most people, but I am one of those people who has to actually DO something before I fully believe it.
Both Bill and I were so sore last night, we were pitiful. I was actually a little worried. I mean I was exhausted after 14, and I am supposed to do almost twice as much as that in two weeks. It kind of freaked me out. But I feel fine today, so I guess it's ok.
I'm already preparing for my next marathon by going to a meeting tonight for Team in Training. I am going to take a month off of running (well, at least running every day) in June to get some serious cross training and weight training in. But I am going to try and keep up this "two marathons a year" thing as long as I can.
It is amazing to me how much concentration it actually takes to run at your "goal pace". Mine is a ten-minute mile and I really had to think about what I was doing. It is crazy though because I was dead on. When we hit one mile we were at 9:50, at 4 we were at 40:09, at 5.4 we were at 54:00 and at 10 we were at 1:40. We finished our 14 miles at 2:20.30...30 seconds off! I think I should be a paceleader (just kidding of course).
I learned though, that by taking it out at my goal pace (ok, I was a smidge faster, but then I slowed it down quickly) instead of the faster pace that I usually take, and keeping that pace, I actually have energy to go through my entire race. Usually I hit mile 5 and am exhausted. I know this is not rocket science to most people, but I am one of those people who has to actually DO something before I fully believe it.
Both Bill and I were so sore last night, we were pitiful. I was actually a little worried. I mean I was exhausted after 14, and I am supposed to do almost twice as much as that in two weeks. It kind of freaked me out. But I feel fine today, so I guess it's ok.
I'm already preparing for my next marathon by going to a meeting tonight for Team in Training. I am going to take a month off of running (well, at least running every day) in June to get some serious cross training and weight training in. But I am going to try and keep up this "two marathons a year" thing as long as I can.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Nutrition Seminar
So last night I went to the little nutrition seminar that the NYRR put on. I was surprised that it actually did last the full 2 hours! I also found out a lot of really cool stuff. Like: (and I am paraphrasing here)
• Runners tend to focus too much on protein and not enough on carbs. While protein is important, carbs are more important because they give you energy through glycogen. Too much protein actually crowds out the carbs.
• Chocolate milk is one of the best things you can have after a run.
• Men need more fat in their diets than women because fats are what helps with the production of testosterone. Testosterone is needed for building muscle. In general, you can have 1/2 gram of fat per pound of body weight.
• The body absorbs vitamins better through foods then it does through supplements (I know; Nutrition 101. Give me a break though, because I never paid attention in health class).
• 3+ grams of fiber per serving is good.
• Gels should be taken with water, not sports drinks. Otherwise they sit in your stomach, which can upset it.
• You should eat something after your run for faster recovery...however if you don't get it in that "15 minute window" (like they usually tell you) it is okay. That window is for athletes who are training more than once a day...if you have a recovery time of 24 hours you will be okay if you eat later than 15 minutes after your run.
• You can eat something before your run if you are hungry, however, the closer it is to your run, the purer the carbohydrate should be.
I thought all of this was interesting. And they also gave us this really useful chart that told us how much fat, protein and carbs we need according to our weight and how many hours of running we were doing that day. I found that REALLY helpful, because while I may be running for 3 hours on Sundays it's not like I do that every night. They also told us the history of Gels and how you REALLY only need them around mile 17 (when most people hit the wall). Because while it gives you an energy boost it also makes you crash. (That may be true, about I am still going to take more than one with me...maybe I am addicted to them, but I FEEL like they work. And hey, running a marathon is mostly mental anyway. )
• Runners tend to focus too much on protein and not enough on carbs. While protein is important, carbs are more important because they give you energy through glycogen. Too much protein actually crowds out the carbs.
• Chocolate milk is one of the best things you can have after a run.
• Men need more fat in their diets than women because fats are what helps with the production of testosterone. Testosterone is needed for building muscle. In general, you can have 1/2 gram of fat per pound of body weight.
• The body absorbs vitamins better through foods then it does through supplements (I know; Nutrition 101. Give me a break though, because I never paid attention in health class).
• 3+ grams of fiber per serving is good.
• Gels should be taken with water, not sports drinks. Otherwise they sit in your stomach, which can upset it.
• You should eat something after your run for faster recovery...however if you don't get it in that "15 minute window" (like they usually tell you) it is okay. That window is for athletes who are training more than once a day...if you have a recovery time of 24 hours you will be okay if you eat later than 15 minutes after your run.
• You can eat something before your run if you are hungry, however, the closer it is to your run, the purer the carbohydrate should be.
I thought all of this was interesting. And they also gave us this really useful chart that told us how much fat, protein and carbs we need according to our weight and how many hours of running we were doing that day. I found that REALLY helpful, because while I may be running for 3 hours on Sundays it's not like I do that every night. They also told us the history of Gels and how you REALLY only need them around mile 17 (when most people hit the wall). Because while it gives you an energy boost it also makes you crash. (That may be true, about I am still going to take more than one with me...maybe I am addicted to them, but I FEEL like they work. And hey, running a marathon is mostly mental anyway. )
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
According to Bart Yasso...
I should now be able to run my marathon in 4 hours and 22 minutes! Actually, doing 10 Yassos wasn't that bad.
I am still nervous about running the entire Pig at a ten-minute mile pace. But everything that I have been doing has told me that I can do it (the 20-miler in Cincinnati at a ten-minute pace, the 10 Yassos, my declining times on my long runs). I want to make sure I don't overthink the whole thing. When I was a swimmer I used to psych myself out when it came to the meets, and not do as well as I was doing at practice. So I am going to try really hard not to worry about it too much and just have fun :)
Also, I finally understand what all of those other runners in my old running group felt during taper. Everyone always felt like they weren't doing enough, that they wanted to do more, that they had too much energy. (I was always like 'Whatever. I don't know about you, but I am exhausted from all of this training.') Coach Joe always reassured everyone that your body actually needed the rest and that's what taper was all about. He said you should resist the urge to overdo it.
I feel like I am pent up though. I have so much energy. And last night, during the Biggest Loser, I felt this huge urge to lift weights or do some push-ups or something, even though I had just finished my speedwork. I also have gained about a pound and a half this week (frustrating!!!), but I also think that this is because of the taper. (I kind of remember people talking about gaining weight during taper, but I don't know.) At least, that is what I am going to say it is, so that I don't get too hung up on it.
Hmmm, it seems like the closer I get to my marathons, the more neurotic I get about everything. :)
I am still nervous about running the entire Pig at a ten-minute mile pace. But everything that I have been doing has told me that I can do it (the 20-miler in Cincinnati at a ten-minute pace, the 10 Yassos, my declining times on my long runs). I want to make sure I don't overthink the whole thing. When I was a swimmer I used to psych myself out when it came to the meets, and not do as well as I was doing at practice. So I am going to try really hard not to worry about it too much and just have fun :)
Also, I finally understand what all of those other runners in my old running group felt during taper. Everyone always felt like they weren't doing enough, that they wanted to do more, that they had too much energy. (I was always like 'Whatever. I don't know about you, but I am exhausted from all of this training.') Coach Joe always reassured everyone that your body actually needed the rest and that's what taper was all about. He said you should resist the urge to overdo it.
I feel like I am pent up though. I have so much energy. And last night, during the Biggest Loser, I felt this huge urge to lift weights or do some push-ups or something, even though I had just finished my speedwork. I also have gained about a pound and a half this week (frustrating!!!), but I also think that this is because of the taper. (I kind of remember people talking about gaining weight during taper, but I don't know.) At least, that is what I am going to say it is, so that I don't get too hung up on it.
Hmmm, it seems like the closer I get to my marathons, the more neurotic I get about everything. :)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Making Use of my NYRR Membership
I finally got my New York Road Runner's membership card in the mail! I had decided not to get involved in the New York running community until after the marathon. It is just too crazy with my work and training schedule right now. And besides, most of the group runs are too short for my training schedule right now. So I am looking forward to taking full advantage of my membership in May. It will be a good way to make sure I keep running.
However, I noticed that they have a lecture this week. They occasionally run lectures that have to do with running and are free to NYRR members ($5 for non-members). It is right in my neighborhood AND it's called "The Art and Science of Fueling the Running Body". They couldn't have made it easier for me to go to it :)
I have been obsessed with runner's nutrition ever since I started eating correctly because A) It has helped me lose 10 lbs this training season, which I swear is making me run faster, and B) it is giving me a whole lot of energy that I didn't have before, which I KNOW is making me run faster. So I'm pretty excited to go. Plus, it's always good to meet other runners. I will just have to bite the bullet and make myself overcome the shyness I usually have at these kind of things.
The lecture is being put on by Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, who is the medical director for the New York Marathon and a columnist for Runnersworld, Dr. Felicia D. Stoler, the sports nutrition coordinator for the NYC Marathon (she is also the host of some show on TLC called "Honey We're Killing the Kids" andHeidi Skolnick who is the nutritionist for the New York Giants.
I'm also going to an informational meeting next week on Team In Training. I wanted to check them out since Team CdLS will be running Chicago (and not New York) this year. I've heard mostly good things about running with them, but I want to check it out for myself. I am also going to look into other charities too, because I would really really like to run New York in the fall.
Tonight is my last round of Yassos (10!!!).
However, I noticed that they have a lecture this week. They occasionally run lectures that have to do with running and are free to NYRR members ($5 for non-members). It is right in my neighborhood AND it's called "The Art and Science of Fueling the Running Body". They couldn't have made it easier for me to go to it :)
I have been obsessed with runner's nutrition ever since I started eating correctly because A) It has helped me lose 10 lbs this training season, which I swear is making me run faster, and B) it is giving me a whole lot of energy that I didn't have before, which I KNOW is making me run faster. So I'm pretty excited to go. Plus, it's always good to meet other runners. I will just have to bite the bullet and make myself overcome the shyness I usually have at these kind of things.
The lecture is being put on by Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, who is the medical director for the New York Marathon and a columnist for Runnersworld, Dr. Felicia D. Stoler, the sports nutrition coordinator for the NYC Marathon (she is also the host of some show on TLC called "Honey We're Killing the Kids" andHeidi Skolnick who is the nutritionist for the New York Giants.
I'm also going to an informational meeting next week on Team In Training. I wanted to check them out since Team CdLS will be running Chicago (and not New York) this year. I've heard mostly good things about running with them, but I want to check it out for myself. I am also going to look into other charities too, because I would really really like to run New York in the fall.
Tonight is my last round of Yassos (10!!!).
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Heat Is On
So, this week, I decided to do my long run on Saturday for two reasons. The first being that I loved how last week I had the whole weekend in front of me and I wouldn't have to worry about getting that run in. The second being that it was supposed to thunderstorm in the afternoon and all of Sunday. As it turned out, all of Saturday was very very beautiful...and HOT! (Well, hot for running.)
I realized just how unprepared I am for running in warmer temps. It is always a struggle with me, because I do love running in the cold. But it is amazing how a 20 degree rise in temperature can change your run so much! Last week we were in the 40s-50s which I found enjoyable. This week, running in the 60s-70s was a struggle. I'm sure it didn't help that I chose to run when the sun was at it's highest point and beating down on me. But I better get used to it, because Cincinnati is generally warmer than New York AND we still have three weeks for it to get even warmer. (One thing that was really cool though, is that the park is in full bloom! It actually looked and felt like spring! And I got to see the cherry blossoms in bloom, which was really cool.)
I also felt like I was waaaay off pace, but I think that was due to two things; the heat AND the fact that I ran 20 last week. I think that 20 must have really done me in more than usual, because after my 10 this week my legs were so achy, even into the next day. I ended up with a 10 minute pace, which IS my GP for the race, but I was a little disappointed since my last 9 miler had a 8:45 pace.
I also added in some hills for myself to better prepare me for the Pig. Instead of bypassing the big, sudden hill up to Strawberry Fields, like I usually do, I added it into my run. I also did the top of the park loop TWICE in order to run Great Hill twice.
Next week is my last truly long run, at 14 miles. And Wednesday I am up to 10 Yassos. Yay! Taper!
I realized just how unprepared I am for running in warmer temps. It is always a struggle with me, because I do love running in the cold. But it is amazing how a 20 degree rise in temperature can change your run so much! Last week we were in the 40s-50s which I found enjoyable. This week, running in the 60s-70s was a struggle. I'm sure it didn't help that I chose to run when the sun was at it's highest point and beating down on me. But I better get used to it, because Cincinnati is generally warmer than New York AND we still have three weeks for it to get even warmer. (One thing that was really cool though, is that the park is in full bloom! It actually looked and felt like spring! And I got to see the cherry blossoms in bloom, which was really cool.)
I also felt like I was waaaay off pace, but I think that was due to two things; the heat AND the fact that I ran 20 last week. I think that 20 must have really done me in more than usual, because after my 10 this week my legs were so achy, even into the next day. I ended up with a 10 minute pace, which IS my GP for the race, but I was a little disappointed since my last 9 miler had a 8:45 pace.
I also added in some hills for myself to better prepare me for the Pig. Instead of bypassing the big, sudden hill up to Strawberry Fields, like I usually do, I added it into my run. I also did the top of the park loop TWICE in order to run Great Hill twice.
Next week is my last truly long run, at 14 miles. And Wednesday I am up to 10 Yassos. Yay! Taper!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Recovery Run
Monday night I had a nice, easy workout. I spent all day still sore from Saturday's 20-mile run, so I was debating whether or not to do a workout at all. But I am so glad I did! I guess there is a reason that we have recovery runs built into marathon programs...they really truly help you recover! It was nice to have a good relaxing run and it almost was like the huge payoff you get from stretching after a tough Pilates class.
Tonight though, I have NINE Yassos. Yuck. I am NOT looking forward to it. I am hoping that the gym is not a sauna like it has been recently. With nine of these things I think I am going to be down there forever. I already wrote up my cheat sheet so that I don't have to figure out all of the times in my head. I think with nine of them I would lose count pretty quickly. The only thing that will be good about tonights workout is that it will be affirmation that I can really keep a ten-minute pace for the whole marathon (I mean, if you believe the Yasso principle about that...I do!). Next week will be 10 and then no more Yassos until my next marathon training! Hurrah!
I'm wondering though...is it crazy to cut the recovery time down? I run my Yassos at a 4:22 for each half mile and then take a two minute break between each one. That is how we always did them at Ronckers. But for a true Yasso, I should be taking a 4:22 break as well. I'm wondering what I am gaining by doing that...
Tonight though, I have NINE Yassos. Yuck. I am NOT looking forward to it. I am hoping that the gym is not a sauna like it has been recently. With nine of these things I think I am going to be down there forever. I already wrote up my cheat sheet so that I don't have to figure out all of the times in my head. I think with nine of them I would lose count pretty quickly. The only thing that will be good about tonights workout is that it will be affirmation that I can really keep a ten-minute pace for the whole marathon (I mean, if you believe the Yasso principle about that...I do!). Next week will be 10 and then no more Yassos until my next marathon training! Hurrah!
I'm wondering though...is it crazy to cut the recovery time down? I run my Yassos at a 4:22 for each half mile and then take a two minute break between each one. That is how we always did them at Ronckers. But for a true Yasso, I should be taking a 4:22 break as well. I'm wondering what I am gaining by doing that...
Monday, April 7, 2008
Great Hill? Ha!
New York has NOTHING when it comes to hills! Especially when you are comparing to Cincinnati.
Saturday I got to run with my old training group while I was in Cincy. It was fun, especially since my old running buddy, Sarah, was there. They were scheduled for an 18 mile run, but according to my plan I was supposed to do my big 20 miles. So I got to the Running Spot extra early (yuck) and ran 2 miles before the group workout. The first thing I noticed was how DIFFERENT the hills were. I mean, in Central Park there are lots of hills, but they are also separated by flat land. In Cincinnati, it is hill after hill after hill. And Great Hill in Central Park? Maybe it is the size of a small hill in Cincy. Maybe. I could feel it in my knees immediately. But I still maintained my <9:00 minute mile pace on those first two, so I was happy.
I was glad to see that the course we were running did follow the Pig course...including the new changes. But we also added on Millionaire's Mile in the beginning , which has some brutal hills. Sarah and I started out our run at a sub 9:00 minute mile and it was very apparent that we wouldn't be able to do that for long. The hills were just too killer. So we slowed down a bit (reminding each other that if one of us was holding the other back that the other should just go ahead).
The first 9 miles was cake for me. It was after that, that I was really feeling it. I even had to take some Tylenol 8-hour at the truck (thank goodness for the truck). I'm sure Sarah was thinking I had a huge potty mouth around the second half of the run. I just could not get over the hills.
As we started up to Eden Park I was really dying. We only had 5 more miles left but they were all of the killer hills on the course. Sarah needed to walk, and I needed to as well, so I am SO GLAD that she did. I was only pushing through the pain because I was running with her (which is a stupid thing to do). We walked up the hill leading into Eden Park and started running again at Mirror Lake, where we did a few laps to add on (the course was only 16.5 miles so we decided to add on 2 there). Up the killer, most humongous hill on the course we passed another runner who was honking like a goose (???). And then, of course another hill on the way back to Victory Parkway.
That one we had to walk again. And of course, who should come up behind us, but Coach Joe. (They always see you when you are slacking!). He walked with us up the hill and we talked about how we were really feeling it. He made me feel better though, because he said this was a REALLY REALLY hard 16.5 mile course because of all the hills (including some killer ones that are not actually on the course) and the placement of the hills (the worst ones at the end). He said the difficulty made it more like a 19 or even 20 mile run.
We finished and I logged a 3:20.28 for my 20 miles. Gone were my hopes in the back of my head that for some miracle reason my 8:45 pace last week was close to my marathon goal pace (I didn't really have THAT much hope for that anyway). But my 20 mile runs are usually pretty darn accurate in predicting how my marathons will go...so I am VERY pleased with a 10 minute pace on that killer course. ESPECIALLY since we walked twice.
Thank goodness for Sarah too! Not only did she make my run much more enjoyable (we talked the WHOLE time) but she pushed me to run well on that course! If you're interested, you can read her account of the run here.
I think next week I have a 14-miler, so I am just going to bask in this lovely , lovely taper!
Saturday I got to run with my old training group while I was in Cincy. It was fun, especially since my old running buddy, Sarah, was there. They were scheduled for an 18 mile run, but according to my plan I was supposed to do my big 20 miles. So I got to the Running Spot extra early (yuck) and ran 2 miles before the group workout. The first thing I noticed was how DIFFERENT the hills were. I mean, in Central Park there are lots of hills, but they are also separated by flat land. In Cincinnati, it is hill after hill after hill. And Great Hill in Central Park? Maybe it is the size of a small hill in Cincy. Maybe. I could feel it in my knees immediately. But I still maintained my <9:00 minute mile pace on those first two, so I was happy.
I was glad to see that the course we were running did follow the Pig course...including the new changes. But we also added on Millionaire's Mile in the beginning , which has some brutal hills. Sarah and I started out our run at a sub 9:00 minute mile and it was very apparent that we wouldn't be able to do that for long. The hills were just too killer. So we slowed down a bit (reminding each other that if one of us was holding the other back that the other should just go ahead).
The first 9 miles was cake for me. It was after that, that I was really feeling it. I even had to take some Tylenol 8-hour at the truck (thank goodness for the truck). I'm sure Sarah was thinking I had a huge potty mouth around the second half of the run. I just could not get over the hills.
As we started up to Eden Park I was really dying. We only had 5 more miles left but they were all of the killer hills on the course. Sarah needed to walk, and I needed to as well, so I am SO GLAD that she did. I was only pushing through the pain because I was running with her (which is a stupid thing to do). We walked up the hill leading into Eden Park and started running again at Mirror Lake, where we did a few laps to add on (the course was only 16.5 miles so we decided to add on 2 there). Up the killer, most humongous hill on the course we passed another runner who was honking like a goose (???). And then, of course another hill on the way back to Victory Parkway.
That one we had to walk again. And of course, who should come up behind us, but Coach Joe. (They always see you when you are slacking!). He walked with us up the hill and we talked about how we were really feeling it. He made me feel better though, because he said this was a REALLY REALLY hard 16.5 mile course because of all the hills (including some killer ones that are not actually on the course) and the placement of the hills (the worst ones at the end). He said the difficulty made it more like a 19 or even 20 mile run.
We finished and I logged a 3:20.28 for my 20 miles. Gone were my hopes in the back of my head that for some miracle reason my 8:45 pace last week was close to my marathon goal pace (I didn't really have THAT much hope for that anyway). But my 20 mile runs are usually pretty darn accurate in predicting how my marathons will go...so I am VERY pleased with a 10 minute pace on that killer course. ESPECIALLY since we walked twice.
Thank goodness for Sarah too! Not only did she make my run much more enjoyable (we talked the WHOLE time) but she pushed me to run well on that course! If you're interested, you can read her account of the run here.
I think next week I have a 14-miler, so I am just going to bask in this lovely , lovely taper!
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