Runnin' Down

Route: Up and Down and All Around (Aberdare, Washington, Hunt Club, Dada, Grand)

Distance: 9.04 miles

Time: 1:44:05

This has been a bad running week for me.  Bad.  Every run was awful, and I even skipped my 4 miler.  As far as partying goes, this week has been great.  I’ve been staying out late, drinking a lot, eating too much… Until today, the morning of my long run day, I’ve been content with all of this.  But when I woke up today, very slightly hung over, it hit me how running makes me feel vs. partying.  It doesn’t take hard work or determination to be a party girl.  I want to be a runner.

The run tonight was slow, about an 11:30 pace, but I felt at home.  Around 3 miles I started to feel tired and momentarily got a stitch in my side.  At 2.5, 4 and 6 miles I had some pretty intense stomach pain, but that also was only a few minutes at a time.  When 5.5 miles rolled around I felt really strong and confident.  I barely felt the hill that I used to struggle up 3 months ago.  At 6 miles I picked up the pace.  I knew those last 3 miles were mine.  And to be honest, they were easy.  I finished strong, closer to a 10:00 pace, and ended with as much of a sprint as I could muster.  I am proud.

I feel good still.  I put my knee sleeve on right away so that should keep my left knee from acting up.  Before running I had 8 oz of water and 3 good gulps of CarboPro.  That stuff is amazing, I totally don’t feel tired or week during my runs when I drink that stuff.

I have newly rededicated myself to my running and training.  Honestly, I know with no doubt in my heart that I will complete this marathon, and I will finish strong.