Saturday, August 22, 2009

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!

21 comments:

Amy - the gazelle said...

way to go! sounds like a super awesome run. I'm so happy for you! both for the great run & the soon-to-return hubby!

Kathleen said...

great run! 20 miles is a crazy-long distance that i'm gonna have to face very very soon...

Kelly said...

Congrats on the awesome 20 miler!

Anonymous said...

Well done! Sounds like a perfect day. I am so glad that you husband will be back home with you in a week.

X-Country2 said...

Sounds like a pretty awesome day. Very well done.

Niki said...

Great run! You are doing so awesome!! I am so happy for you that your hubby will be home soon!! And post run pizza is a MUST!!

joyRuN said...

Excellent news all around!

Awesome job knocking out your 20 miles :)

Erin said...

That is awesome!

I'm really going to have to try out these salt tabs. They seem like miracle supplements for us salty sweaters :-)

Jamie said...

f$#%^&* way to go! that is freaking awesome! way to go the 20 miles!!! and yay for hubbie coming home finally!

Unknown said...

Way to go on the 20 miler, that's got to feel good having that one under your belt!

Katie said...

What an awesome day you've had!! Congratulations on your 20 mile run! You are amazing... way to take control of the mind over matter and plug in those last 2 miles :) I am so looking up to you right now.
So glad your husband is coming home soon... you guys will need to take a much needed date night - or nights.
Hope you have a great day tomorrow!

Unknown said...

Super job on the 20 miler and I'm happy for you and your husband!

Alisa said...

Yay for your 20 miler. Wow, you are certainly in Holy Hills land =). Way to keep a great pace!!!

Also, yay for hubby returning. Mine got home last night, it was so nice to see him. Maybe some other time if I come up to visit my aunt we could squeeze in a run or some wine...or both =).

Amy said...

Jusus - 3,239 elevation gain? And 20 miles? You are my hero.

Chic Runner said...

That is quite the elevation gain. I totally bow down. :) So glad it went okay and the hubby comes home soon! Hooray! :)

Tara said...

Yay! I'm so excited for you that your hubby will be home. Lots of good date nights!!
Good job on that 20 miler and wow with that elavation gain!

jen said...

WOW! Well done! The fact that you felt good enough to add on a couple miles is a GOOD sign. You rock.

Missy said...

Yay, hubs and a great run. Sounds like you're getting your grove on sista.

Aron said...

AMAZING job on the 20 miler!!!

and SOOOOO exciting hubs is coming home soon!!! <3

Ashley said...

NIIIIIICE job!!!! Glad I popped over here...consider me a new follower!! ;)

Christy said...

I'm so excited for you that your husband comes home soon. Way to go on the 20 miler! Question -- on a typical day, what do you normal eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks?