18 freaking miles!!!! (4:05 hours)

It's weird to think that 18 miles was a better run for me than last week's 14 miles. In fact, I didn't even post last week cause 14 miles was hard and I admit I was a little scared about 18. I don't think I could have run 18 a week ago.

But I did yesterday! It was hard work--make no mistake--but we took it slow (four hours slow) and got to the end. For locals -- we started at Pt. Defiance, ran to Wright Park, around the park twice and then back to Pt. Defiance. Amazingly, I still had gas in the tank at the end. I could have run another two miles which makes me feel good because in two weeks we will run 20 (we're being practically lazy next week by only running 12 miles).

I think last week was so hard because we were returning to the hills and I really needed to adapt the run/walk pattern and not put pressure on myself about speed. I'm so over that.

Recovering from the run yesterday was the toughest so far. I felt kind of sick and feverish and much more physically sore than I have. But today I'm feeling normal. But I'm looking forward to a lazy Sunday afternoon nap so maybe not 100% normal.......

that was tough (16 miles, 3:10 hours)

This was a challenging run. Psychologically it was hard because we had to run two miles past last week's turnaround. As someone said, "we feel really far out." Two weeks ago we ran 13 miles (our longest run) and last week we ran 12 miles. So this was a real jump up -- physically and psychologically.

In the return second half, a bunch of us ran together in a group. I incorporated the run/walk approach for the first time. That combined with the support of the "bunch" helped me get all the way through. At the very end, someone even led a sprint and we all joined in. But that only proves we really are nuts.

For the hour following the run I was pretty darn sore. Now I'm feeling much more normal but I'm still taking it easy tomorrow.....

cheese!

that's me in the back. aren't we cute? what a great group of people.....

6 of one, half dozen of the other = 12 miles

back to 12 miles this week (run one minute faster than the last 12-miler!) as we strengthen "the base". now it's about to get really crazy with the mileage jumping up and down this month to get us to the longest 20 mile training run on May13th.

this week was good - felt good to be on a flat course for a bit of break from the hills. this coming saturday we do 16 miles!!!!!

baker's dozen (13 miles, 2:44 min)

Whoo! I was pretty nervous to run 13 miles all on my own without the usual company and support. But today, little ol' me ran a half marathon!!!!

I borrowed Bob's water-bottle waist-pack, stocked up on GU, made sure my mp3 player was fully charged and headed out. The nice thing about running on my own is that I never seem to get out of breath -- it's always my own pace. I felt good the whole time and at one point I realized that my biggest obstacle was boredom. Luckily, I feel I have an interesting inner landscape and was able to keep myself mentally entertained as I worked through the miles.

But I missed the team and it will be nice to be back with them next Saturday. This week's run will also be flat -- welcome to me since that is only a few days away and I'm probably a lot more tired than I currently feel......

home again, home again

I've made it back safe and sound to Tacoma. I even got in a fourth run at the Lava Springs in Idaho. It was my best "trip" run which may have been due to our soak in the hot Lava Springs mineral pools the night before which did a lot to dispel the traveling tension in my body.

But now I feel all left out because Pete and Bob got their 13 mile long runs in (Pete for the first time with the Team in Training crew) and I won't do mine till tomorrow. Wish me luck!