Sixteen mile sunday

Sort of like a death march, but not too bad. I decided to do my run even though it was Heather's birthday. I actually wrestled with coming home about 3 miles into it so I could be there when she opened her presents, but I knew how important this run was and how I totally needed to do it, so I kept running. Plus, I knew she would be sleeping for the most part of my run, which she did. I got out the door around 8 this morning. The humidity wasn't too bad yet and it was actually quite pleasant. I get my water bottle loaded with Gatorade, stuff a handful of granola in my mouth, swallow down some cold coffee from the day befores pot, and off I go. Good nutritional start to a 16 mile run, I bet it's how the big boys train! I had my husband's big, ole Garmin thing on so I could accurately track my pace and distance.

I had a sort of map planned out and there she goes, the greyhound in reverse speed chasing a rabbit that needed new batteries. I started out S-L-O-W. I was running 12minute miles, wait, did you see that gray blur fly by me, why it was my grandmother lapping me with her walker! Go Mary, go!! But I stayed slow, I knew if I planned on making my total 16 miles today that I was going to have to keep a snails pace. Which I did, with a bit of trouble. I am lousy at pacing myself, I always have been, and I think that's why I don't do as well as I hope at some races. Any time the fatigue started taking over, I would check the Garmin and see I was starting to speed up. I also notice that I do this thing with my tongue, like I stick it out like a dog panting, I must look oh so attractive, but I do it when I am really fatiguing. So if I caught my tongue lolling out, I knew either A) I needed my water bowl or B) I was running at too quick a pace.

Miles up to ten were no big deal, miles 11, 12 and 13 were a bit challenging, but again I have run the distance, so it wasn't anything unmanageable. Mile 14 was getting harder, I wonder if my tongue was dangling out of my mouth for most of it. I started bargaining with myself, make it to here, then you can walk if you want. But I never did. I did start counting down mile 15 with tenths of a mile because I didn't think I was going to make it for that last little bit, but I did. I ran 16.1 miles and cooled down with a walk for 1/2 mile.

There, now I was finished, and I couldn't believe it. I ran, I ran so far away, well not really but there wasn't an 80's song that went I ran, I ran thru Hampton Park, Foxcroft, Foxfire and Woooodlaaake.....

I can't wait until next week when I get to run 18 miles, now that's living.