Long Run by the Numbers

This weekend I had few goals in mind for my long run.

Goal #1: Don't die.
Goal #2: Finish 20 miles. Even if you have to walk. Just finish.
Goal #3: DON'T DIE.

See. Simple.

I decided Friday night to help increase my chances of all 3 goals to do the following:
1. Carb load. Enter Noodles and Company. My love. My long lost love, as after I moved to the same city the Hubs lived in I no longer had immediate access to Noodles. I cried. Ok, not really. But, close. Well, they FINALLY opened one in our town!! I cheered. Really. So, Friday I treated myself to my favorite Pad Thai. Delicious.

2. Nuun.

All the bloggers love them some Nuun. I decided I should finally bite the bullet and try it. I put 1/2 a tab in both 10 oz. water bottles I carry on my long runs. Verdict? Definitely tastes a little different... but, I REALLY liked it! I REALLY, reallllly liked it when I added ice to it. Definitely better super cold. Do I think it made any significant difference? Hard to tell, but I did manage to meet all 3 of my goals, so I'll call that a firm YES. I also did notice that despite the crazy hotter temps I wasn't caked in salt all over my face, so I do think it kept me better hydrated. I'll definitely use it again, but likely just for long runs since it's kinda pricey for my cheap-ass budget.

3. Fall asleep at 9:15pm. On a Friday night. BALLER.

Saturday morning I woke up at 6:20am knowing I HAD to be out the door by 6:45 and back by 10:15am, as I had to hit the road to meet the in-laws by 11:15. I was on a tight schedule with no wiggle room.

Fueled by 2 cookies, I set out with my Nuun, Garmin, and Brooks right at 6:45am.

Mile 1: 9:42
Mile 2: 9:36

I had to stop for an emergency porta potty stop between mile 1 and 2. Not a good sign for the upcoming run.

Mile 3: 9:30
Mile 4: 9:41

When I saw 9:41 beep on my watch (yes, I watch) I immediately started mentally convincing myself that this just wasn't going to be a good run. That it was OK if it sucked. I started writing this blog post in my head telling all about how shit-tastic I did. HELLO! I was only at mile 4! And, 9:41 isn't bad! it's pretty speedy for me! WTF was I thinking? I have no idea. But, I'm glad I snapped out of it pretty quick.

Mile 5: 9:39
Mile 6: 9:25
Mile 7: 9:10
Mile 8: 9:11
Mile 9: 9:11
Mile 10: 9:13
Mile 11: 9:20
Mile 12: 9:27
Mile 13: 9:29

Honestly, miles 5-13 were a blur. Nothing noteworthy. Someone yelled at me that I rocked and keep running. That almost never happens. A beer can thrown at me? Yes. A rabid dog running full force toward me? Yes. Positive words yelled? Never! But, fun!!

I stopped after mile 13 to refill/put ice in water bottles and throw water on my face.

Mile 14: 9:21
Mile 15: 9:33
Mile 16: 9:22
Mile 17: 9:43
Mile 18: 9:36
Mile 19: 9:54

I honestly didn't even mentally note when I crossed into new PDR territory... but, mile 19 was hard. My legs started cramping and I was so, so, sooo ready to be done. I was tired of running. I wasn't enjoying it. I was over it. I wanted to shower and sit down.

Mile 20: 9:47

Somehow my negative Nancy mindset cleared up in record speed and by the time I hit mile 20 I was SO BEYOND EXCITED to be running still. And, running kinda strong. I was amazed at myself and my body and my legs and everything around me. I kinda loved running like never before for a solid 1/2 mile. I loved every step and could have gone farther. But, no time! So, I called it at 21.

Mile 21: 9:27

Total Time: 3:19:38
Average Pace: 9:30/mile

I still cannot believe I ran that far. And, it 9:30s! WHAAAAT?!?!? And, I only stopped twice, both totally less than 4 minutes combined.

After I got home I immediately chugged a BIG glass of chocolate milk, showered and got ready to leave.

At some point when I was running I thought I could be a GENIUS and stretch while blow drying my hair. Whaaaaaat?!?!? That didn't work out so well. Mid-long run delusions at its finest.

I spent the rest of Saturday:
1. Relaxing with Matts fam (sans Matt as he was out of town visiting a friend)
2. Eating far, FAR too much delicious food
3. What's the phrase? RICE?? Well, I got the rest, ice, and compression part... But, I changed the E to a B.

 

Yup. The newest and best way to speed recovery is RICB. Rest, Ice, Compress, and Beer. You heard it here first.

Side note: Now that I have officially hit a "long enough long run to run a marathon" distance I am FREAKING out. Like, am I actually ready for this thing? I can't even fathom that.

Mind = Blown.