Week 12: Sixteen miles

Another long run down -- and I'm only ten miles short of a marathon!

It was a good run. My pace was about the same as last time -- I averaged just over 17 minutes per mile -- but I felt better. Didn't get so tired at the end. I didn't feel like I was slowing down in the second half, but it took about 15 minutes longer than the first half, so I guess I must have.

I got kind of a late start -- I ended up sleeping until 9:20 this morning, and didn't get out the door until ten minutes to 11:00. Oops! It was clear but cold -- probably around 45 - 50F the whole time. The sun was nice, but the wind was bitey cold. I wore my black running pants and shirt, which are warmer than my usual running outfit, and kept my hooded jacket on for the whole run. At least it wasn't as cold as yesterday! OMG, it was freezing all day yesterday, with high winds and clouds. I went out yesterday morning to attend the opening of Red Apple Road, walked about a mile and a half up the road and back, and nearly froze. Yikes!

Anyway, I planned a route that was 14 miles altogether from here to the park, then added a mile around the house before I left, and a mile around the loop in the park when I got there. Mom came and met me at Valley and Curry to refill my water bottle, as she did before. I drank a soy protein drink with coffee before I left, so I had some energy and a bit of a caffeine jolt to keep me going. Then I had two GUs along the way, one after about two and a half hours, and one at three and a half hours. The second GU was also a caffeinated one. I think the caffeine helps keep me going, although it doesn't make me any faster, it makes the run feel easier.

I think for the 18 and 20 mile runs, I will run from here to mom's place, so I can take a break to get water and use the bathroom at the halfway point. Then probably just run from her place to the park to finish the second half.

Mom drove me back to her place for dinner afterwards, and then drove me home -- it was after dark when I got home! It's been a long day. But I'm happy with my run.