I love getting my long run out of the way early in the weekend. And I love it even more when it’s a good one! Today’s 20 (+) miler felt SO much better than the 20 miler 2 weekends ago. I ran it exactly the way I wanted to, and exactly the way a training long run is supposed to be run.
The highlights:
- 21 miles in 3:14:33 (9:15 pace);
- It ended up being about 45 – 50 seconds per mile slower than goal marathon pace.
- It was a negative split, with the second 1/2 of the run being stronger and faster (and hillier) than the first 1/2.
- I felt strong and good the whole time.
- The only time I stopped was around 8 miles in, when I found a dead end street and stopped to pee. Let’s hope noone was looking out the windows of the houses to see my big white butt!
- Right at 21 miles I had GI issues (thank goodness I was right outside my house!)
- Fueling was a strange mix of things because I realized last night I was really low on gu. So, I had a few sport beans at mile 2, 3 shot blocks at mile 5, 1 gu at mile 10 and 3 more shot blocks at mile 15. Also had a full handheld of gatorade that I sipped slowly throughout the run and made last until mile 19. Perfect!
- I forced myself to take an ice bath afterwards, even though I feel fine. I could only stand it for about 2 minutes though, so not sure that it will even do any good.
I’m glad I ended up getting a 20 miler in this week. It was definitely a confidence builder for Little Rock. One more 20 miler next week and then it’s taper time!
Yeah! You’re done! Now you can relax. Awesome run and bonus that you felt so good and strong! Look out Little Rock 🙂
Yay! You’re gonna kill it at Little Rock! Now you can enjoy the rest of the weekend!
WOOT! Great job Cindi!!!