LONG RUN: DONE!

Yesterday I was reading over my training recap for the week and I realized something. If not for missing the 15 mile long run, I actually would have felt great about the week. While my speed and tempo workouts were hard, I did hit all my paces and was even on the faster end of them. No, skipping the long run due to a slight ass pain was not how I wanted to end the week, but other than that, I did a good job! 

When I skipped the long run, I knew I wasn't going to do a single speed or tempo run until I got in a run that was at least close to 15 miles. So on Tuesday morning, I pumped myself up for a 12 mile, semi hilly run.

I used to go out and run 12 miles like it was no big deal. I would bask in the long, monotonous miles and get lost in my thoughts or lost in my podcasts. It didn't matter if it was humid or the sun was baking me, I always loved those long runs. And I loved that I never worried about them. I'd do them for "fun".

Now, long runs have become something to fear. What if my knee hurts? What if my PF comes back?

But on Tuesday, I finally conquered my first real long run of my marathon training. This run was supposed to happen on Sunday. It was also supposed to be 15 miles. Instead, I did it on a Tuesday and I did 12. Spoiler alert: It went well!!!!

Armed with my newly found Garmin, a full hydration pack, and an mp3 player loaded with podcasts, I hit the asphalt. I ran whatever pace felt good. For this run, about a 9:20 pace kept me moving. I wish I had been faster, but I didn't actively try to go faster. It was really hot and humid.

Around mile 3 I thought I was going to crap my pants. Luckily, I kept my shit together and made it to Subway before anything bad happened. I do have to extend my deepest sympathies to Subway. I'm sorry for what I did in your bathroom.

I never hit the wall during this run, but I did get tired. Around mile 10 I sneezed so hard I thought my legs were going to buckle. It was sort of funny. My feet felt great, my knee felt great, I had no PIMA but I did have some lower back pain similar to what I get when I have my period. My lower back sometimes hurts on really long runs, but this wasn't a really long run and it hurt at Mile 2, so it was kind of weird! But other than that, my body held up well and I recovered nicely enough to run 6 miles the very next morning! It was nothing a margarita and a Midol couldn't take care of!

So I'm not ready to give up yet! I haven't run more than 10 miles since my half marathon in April. This 12 miler did not kill me. In fact, it gave me some confidence! I'm still thinking about my marathon goals for the fall. But that's another post for another day!

Have you ever almost crapped your pants on a run?