Longest long run

Yesterday I told myself I was going to run 18 miles and through rain, sunshine and wind I continued to remind myself what I set out to do.  At the end of my 2:32:40 run I had covered 18 miles, my farthest run in 10 years, probably the farthest I've ever run without walking in my entire life!!  The training plan I am using for the Christie Clinic Marathon is based on time intervals instead of distances.  I run for 2 hours, 1.5 hours, 1 hour, etc.  Yesterday was a 2.5 hour day for my long run, I usually cover about 17 miles in that time but I told myself I wasn't stopping until my watch beeped for the 18th time, thankfully I only had to run an extra couple of minutes to reach that goal!  8:29/pace for the run overall, which I felt pretty good about considering I ran some mega hills, had to stomp through plenty of snow and ice, and it rained for the first 10 miles!  Here are my splits. Mile three includes a big hill that is 0.8 miles long that I run almost every day, but it gets me every time.

 

I feel like I stayed pretty consistent, which is always the goal on my long runs.  I want to be used to running even paces so that on race day I can keep up with the pace group until near the end and then I hope to push ahead so that I'm well under my goal pace. 

 

This marathon training has taught me so much about myself this winter. 1. I whine a lot (haha), especially when it's below freezing and I have a two hour run to do, or if I get sick! 2. Aside from my whining, I have become extremely dedicated. I may take a break for a week but I always come back the next week with the same goal in mind, I haven't given up. 3. I am much stronger than I give myself credit for and my training and paces have proven that to me. 4. I LOVE the long runs.  I have loved running for as long as I can remember, but the long runs give me the biggest thrill.  After this 18 miler I couldn't stop telling people about it and posting it wherever I could find.  My poor family can only hear so much. :)   

 

Today my legs are sore and heavy!  The weather is a gorgeous 57 degrees out today, but I don't have anyone to keep my Sweet Caroline while I run, so I headed to the YMCA to get in my run.  I rode 4 miles on the stationary bike to loosen up my legs some, and then stretched and ran 3 miles on the cushy indoor track.  So far it has been a great week of training.  67 days til race day!!!!!