18 Miles - DONE!

I was freaking about the rain last night and this morning, but you know what? It wasn't all that bad. It was actually great! I took it slow, but this worked. I was soaked and a bit prune-y by the time I got back, but I loved the cool weather and lack of humidity. After 18 miles I felt great, as opposed to feeling horrible on my 16 miler.

I had buddies to run with (a half marathoner for the first 4 miles and then a group of two women for the majority of the remaining miles). It was nice to chat, take it easy, and feel really comfortable. Our route is Memorial Drive starting at MIT, across the BU bridge, up Beacon St., to the Reservoir near BC, and then Comm Ave to Newton, out and back. We ran up Heartbreak Hill at 10 miles! It wasn't that bad! I am sure it is really awful when you are at mile 20 but at 10 it was great. It is so exciting to run the Boston Marathon route, even without the actual, errr... marathon going on. I ran ahead of my running buddies after the reservoir and booked it back to MIT, with some gas still in the tank. Only in the last couple of miles did the rain pick up, thankfully. I am so relieved to have had an officially nice long run. Yay! Next time I'll keep the slow pace for the first 10 miles or so, but then pick it up for a longer period of time for the last half. I was definitely starting out way too fast on my now infamous 16 mile run, and this cautious approach really seemed to work this time around.

I'm a little beat and a little crampy on the right calf but nothing too serious. I'm glad it is over and I can enjoy a drink this evening... I had to abstain last night at a get-together of friends. Cheers to 18 miles!

Also - randomly one of my running buds today knows a fellow librarian I went to Simmons with (although haven't seen in a while unfortunately, I believe we would have much to chat about!). She has a really great running blog, which I very much enjoy. You should check it out. Librarian on the Run.

I am a Lucky Lady

My friends are awesome. I've had so much support since I've started this journey. Day One (pretty much) my friend at work, Cynthia, put together a care package of Luna products - recovery drinks, luna bars, luna chews, electrolyte mixes (she is on Team LUNA Chix), which I am still barreling through. I've had people give me great tips and pointers, folks who are willing to listen to me blabber on about training, and those who have been donating to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (and many who have done all of the above!). This week, my friend Kristen has put together a site where she is selling some of her beautiful handmade items, all to proceed my fundraising efforts! You can get an awesome clutch, necklace or purse AND support LLS. I think this is a great deal if there ever was one. I would have never thought to do this, and I am so happy Kristen did, and was willing to do so. She really is the best. Go to her blog and check it out.

Oh 16 miles, you were tough

Another milestone reached, 16 miles in the bank. I wish I could say it was better than prior runs, but it wasn't. I would go so far to say it was the crappiest. Mistakes were made... Firstly I ate Indian food for dinner last night. Bad one. Secondly I tried a new breakfast, bagel and peanut butter. Fail. Thirdly, I forgot to take a Gu at the first water stop and by mile 9.5 I had hit a wall. Ugh.

Also, I like to run early... Team In Training runs don't start until 7:30 AM, just not early enough. I got up at 6, ate breakfast, and went down to MIT to start running at about 6:50 or so. This way I already ran 3.75 miles for the day... there was a bit of a wait for the official run to get going (about 20 minutes) which may have not helped me too much either. On the other hand I got some running in when it wasn't so hot, humid and crazy sunny out.

Why was this so awful?
It was hot, humid and crazy sunny. I've been spoiled this season, I admit it. I have grown used to the mild weather. In my defense I did run in Vegas last week and it was fine... ! It must have been the "dry heat." Humidity sucks (see prior post).
I had to take a pit stop at work, but THANK GOD for work.
I walked three times (at least) which is highly unusual at this point.
I was paranoid that I was over hydrating because I was going to town at every water stop.

You would think that the very-flat-runner-heaven of the Charles River would be the best run I could have, but I've done much better on my trail/road runs at the beach, the hilly Newton route, and my random not flat Northampton 12 miler in July. Admittedly I did miss one run while I was in Las Vegas on vacation (for a wedding! fun!), and some cross-training, so this may have also been a factor. On the other hand I didn't miss my 10 mile long run (running the strip at 6am is pretty awesome!), and there was a lot of activity and walking to be had on vacation.

Ah well, as long as I behave myself from now on I think I should be OK. I'm somewhat relived to get the inevitable "bad run" over with!