A "LONG" run.

Yesterday, I went on my longest run in quite some time...

8 MILES!!!!

I used to do 8 miles around my neighborhood before work in the morning. I could get it done in about an hour. Now, it's considered "long run" territory for me. There is a seeeeeason, tuuuuuurn, tuuuuuurn..."

I was testing the waters to see what I can do right now. I was so excited when I woke up Saturday morning! It was so much fun getting ready for my weekend "long" run... a simple pleasure I hadn't experienced in several months!

(That's toilet paper in the baggie. You never know.)

The weather was BEAUTIFUL! 50 degrees and a clear blue sky!

Would you like to see some pictures of my beautiful, Central Pennsylvania run? Of course you do!

So what's the story? 

1. My knee did not HURT. It felt weak until Mile 7. Then it felt stronger. Not "normal".

2. I got a side stitch at Mile 7. It felt like I was getting stabbed in the side, but it went away after half a mile or so. I hate those little buggers! I tried to breath deep through my nose and out through my mouth. That's what my high school gym teacher always told us to do.

3. I should have brought water. I got a headache at Mile 7 from no water. (What's with mile 7!?)

4. My whole left leg felt sort of tight. I thought about stopping to stretch but the tightness never got worse, it just sort of shifted around to different spots. Augh. My old, creaky body.

5. I ran at a pace that felt normal. I think I should have gone a little slower because I got tired at Mile 5. I got a second wind around Mile 7. This was a hilly course... I have to go check the Boston elevation because if I remember correctly, it's mostly downhill except for the Newton hills and Heartbreak.

6. At the end of my run, I was thinking about the 12 miles I have planned for next weekend (if I recover well from yesterday), and thought, "If I had to do 4 more miles, could I?" Answer: Yes.

7. I stretched for 15 whole minutes before I got in my car, iced when I got home, and foam rolled a little later.

The verdict: All in all, I would rate this run a 6.5/10. I'll bump it up to a 7/10 if my leg feels good in the next day or two. (Update: Sunday morning it felt okay. Official rating: 7/10.)

You're probably wondering why I'm trying for 12 miles next weekend... I will let you know on Tuesday when I post my "new" Boston Training Plan.

Don't worry, just because I'm easing back into running doesn't mean I'm going to give you the play by play of every single run I do. I was just sort of excited about conquering eight miles!

Tell me about your long run this weekend!

What do you do when you get a side stitch?

What's your favorite fuel for a long run? Currently, shredded wheat and iced coffee!