Previous long runs for Marathon Training:
- One Way Ticket to Double Digitland (10 miles)
- Eleven with the Ladies
- A Hellish Half Marathon
- Fabulous Fourteen
- Sweaty Sixteen
I had an awesome long run this morning. It was totally one for the Caitlin record books. 🙂
One of the key differences in today’s long run was that I was mentally prepared for it. I built it up all week in my head. I was EXCITED to tackle the mileage. The enthusiasm was coursing through my veins!
I woke up at 4:15 AM and made myself a delicious, stabilizing breakfast:
Coffee, banana oatmeal with flax and almonds, and water.
And around 5:15, I drove to our usual spot to meet Megan. She was a little late so I did some self-portraits (I was wearing a new workout shirt sent to me by Thriv, which I think would make a good yoga shirt but was not a good running shirt – I sweated through it instantely):
Megan showed up soon afterward and we started off on the first leg of our journey. Since we run in a group, the mileage was split up as follows:
- Mile 1 – 2: With Megan
- Mile 2 – 8: With Megan and Kelly
- Mile 8 – 16.5: With Megan
- Mile 16.5 – 17: Solo!
The first two miles were a breeze. We looped back and picked up Kelly for another 6.0 miles. I started to take Gummi Bears around Mile 6.0. They aren’t the ideal mid-run fuel, but they are cheap and they work! I ate about 200 calories worth of bears throughout the run.
Megan and I also discussed how crazy it is that we are running so far now – the weird thing about marathon training is that the miles seem to build SO fast. One second you’re doing a 10.0 mile long run, and the next you are up to 17.0 (well, not really, but it feels like it!).
I remember the days when my goal was to run for 1.0 mile without stopping. It took me weeks to work up to that! :) And I was SO proud of myself when I did it. Everyone starts somewhere. The amazing thing about running is that EVERYONE can improve. You can PUSH yourself to be the runner you dream of being. It takes hard work and a lot of sweat, but it’s achievable.
The last 3.0 miles were the hardest (of course). I still had my good attitude and used it to motivate Megan, who seemed like she was mentally struggling. I shouted out, “You’re awesome!â€; “You’re so strong!â€; “Look how amazing you are!†every few minutes. It helped ME to help something else. And it was nice to be the motivator instead of the motivatee for once. 🙂
Megan and I also spent a lot of time screaming and grunting during the run. I think it helps to let it all out during long runs! 🙂
Megan was done at 16.5 so I finished it up by myself. I sprinted a little bit towards the end and got down to a 8:58 minute/mile!
Here are my statistics:
- Duration: 2 hours 57 minutes
- Distance: 17.0 miles (my longest run EVER)
- Mile 1: 10:18
- Mile 2: 10:22
- Mile 3: 10:02
- Mile 4: 10:24
- Mile 5: 10:31
- Mile 6: 10:15
- Mile 7: 10:27
- Mile 8: 10:37
- Mile 9: 10:20
- Mile 10: 10:37
- Mile 11: 11:22 (walking break)
- Mile 12: 10:30
- Mile 13: 11:54 (walking break)
- Mile 14: 10:24
- Mile 15: 10:35
- Mile 16: 10:36
- Mile 17: 10:21
Man – those mile split lists are getting LONG!!! 🙂
I collapsed on the asphalt at the end:
And then I made a sweat angel:
Oh, by the way, I found the trick to preventing chafing on my shoulders from my sports bra – athletic tape! Works like a charm and it doesn’t come off when I sweat buckets. I am the sweatiest person you’ll ever meet.
I drove home, immediately iced my knees (they were SORE, but they don’t hurt now), and ate an Egg and Cheese sandwich:
….And then I made another one and ate that, too!
Going to go rest up and refuel! :)
Have a wonderful day!
YOU GO GIRL!!!