The BEST 20 miler Ever

Not that I have ran many 20 milers, in fact only a handful. But this past weekend's run was amazing. I had everything laid out the night before and when I woke up at 5 everything ran smoothly. Although I may have laid on the closet floor for about ten minutes questioning my sanity and wondering why the hell I was up at 5 to go on a run. But, I got up and I defied the Blerch and went on my merry way.

 

Source

 

I ran with someone new this week. Actually I met him several weeks back when we did the pace run. This dude, Harley is such a great run partner. He is training for his first marathon, he is slow and steady and doesn't quit! He is a great partner for me since I love to walk randomly. I originally planned on running alone during the marathon but after talking with him I think we are going to pace each other as he wont stop unless I stop and I wont stop unless he stops. So out of the 20 miles we ran on Saturday we stopped maybe 3 times. (which is a mega win for me!)

 

You had the choice to run 18 or 20 miles this week... pretty much all the fast runners did 20 but we, part of the slow and steady group opted for the challenge. I was probably annoying but it was his first 20 miler and ya know you are "suppose to run 2 20s prior to a full" so this was a big deal. Around mile 19 I may have let the former cheerleader out with" You're all most there"" You're going to be set to run your marathon!" I truly hope I wasn't annoying because it is a BIG accomplishment and one that was set two weeks earlier then schedule!

I remember when I ran my first 20. No lie it was a relief. It assured me that I COULD DO IT and I was really proud of myself as should any runner!

 

So this run was wonderful. The temperature, the fellowship, everything. One of the coaches also ran with us a good bit of the way and that was great. I actually saw her the week before at the RFTF. We talked a bit and turns out we run with the same crew. Its a small, small world people.

 

Now the best part of the run? I felt great during and after the run... I didn't nap, I didn't hurt, I felt...NORMAL. It was amazing. I went shopping, I walked around, I cleaned.
This never happens.
Typically after long runs I eat, shower then pass out.
It felt damn good to experience...progress.

 

20 miles 4:15

 

Race Menu

Wheat Bagel with cream cheese

2 ibuprofen

1 salt stick

16 oz nuun

Mile 4 gu roctane

Mile 10 gu roctane, salt stick

Mile 15 gu roctane

I refilled my bottles up at every water station (3)

 

I'm tellin ya, proper nutrition during these runs is key! If you are crashing seriously, reevaluate your race menu! It is what I did and I've made a complete 360.