Good News

First, the awesomely awesome GREAT news: My hubby gets home in less than a week!! I can hardly contain myself! Second, the other good news - I had a great 20 miler. It was supposed to be 18 miles and to tell you the truth I was kinda nervous about it (but in a good way). I was not looking forward to dealing with all the hills since we were staying local for this one. Turns out I wasn't really phased by it. I think we can put that little hang up to bed now! Pre-run: 1 hour before long run began - toasted english muffin w/peanut butter on one side, banana. During run: I took two salt tablets at start. I got lucky and had someone to run with for the first 6 miles, then just as she was turning back I met up with another girlfriend who only wanted to run six also. It was nice to have someone to run with for the first 12 miles for sure. I got a little lazy on keeping track of my gel intake. I never forgot obviously, but I think once or twice I kind of threw of the diligent schedule of every 45 minutes. It was all good though! I took my salt tablets on the hour every hour. I think these are crucial to my successful long runs. Once I was by myself I just worked it out. Dialed in my downloaded book on the ipod and got it done. My coach said if toward the end I was feeling good to add a couple of miles. I easily could have stopped at 18, but I as I was closing in I just kept thinking, "It's only two more miles - no big deal," & more importantly "I will thank myself for doing this come race day!" So I did it. I also finished off those last two miles as fast as I started this long run. HUGE success for me! 20 miles/3:33:41/10:40 pace/3,239 elevation gain Post-run: I stretched out for a while as I took in a bottle of Ultima and about 10 oz. of Endurox. Also did my ice bath, donned my recovery socks, ate my favorite post long run meal (Newman's Own Thin Crust Peperoni Pizza) and now a few hours later - laying with my feet up drinking my reward while catching up on the Track and Feild World Chapionships. I'm putting that 20 miler in bank and cashing it in on marathon day!