Eye on the prize

2

August 3, 2013 by Amy B

 

 

First: I actually remembered yesterday to map out a run for today. I’m not sure why it’s showing 13.0 because it most definitely is 13.1, which was the prescribed distance by Coach Hal for today.

Scott says I get really worked up over these long runs. I disagree. I wouldn’t say I get “worked up,” but I do put some thought into them and try to plan out things to make them go as well as they possibly can. So yeah, I do think about routes, what I’m going to wear, eat, drink, and at what time I’m going to go. Is that obsessive or weird?

I wanted to take the sweat band just because I always need something to wipe the sweat out of my eyes, plus Picky Power!

Speaking of sweat, who has a good solution for keeping your sunglasses from fogging up on a hot day? I wear a pair of Oakleys – I think they’re called Half Jackets (older version) – and they fog like mad. I finally perched them on top of my hat because I couldn’t stand it anymore.

I was a little concerned about the run this morning since I was still so sore from CrossFit. The first few miles were a little creaky, and I just tried to find a pace that was no slower than 10:30 min/mile, knowing that I had some serious hills to climb after the halfway point. When I saw that my first mile was 10:15, I was happy. I knew I could maintain that pace for awhile.

This route travels on some back roads and eventually heads back on the highway along Lake Superior. This was such a beautiful view that I had to stop for a gel and a photo, which doesn’t really do the view justice, but I thought I’d share anyway. It really is beautiful here.

The “monster” climb lasts about 1.5 miles starting at mile 7. A few years ago, Scott took us on a run that included this hill and I may have cursed at him the entire way. This time? While it’s no picnic, it’s not too bad. I survived!

The last 4 miles were hot – the sun was out in full force and I was pretty glad I’d chosen the tank top, even though I’d been chilly for the first mile. I finished nowhere near my PR a few weeks ago, but this was a completely different course with different and more difficult elevation variation.

I need to remind myself that the PR during a training run doesn’t matter much if it doesn’t help me on race day. Honestly, I should probably be taking these long runs a little slower. I don’t think I’ll have that problem in the upcoming weeks when the mileage ramps up; I already feel tired now. I just need to not sweat it. Slower times doesn’t mean I’m losing fitness or any less of a runner. And this fall’s marathon isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve been here before. I know how I feel after the taper. I know I’ll be ready this time.

I have a ton of freelance work to get at this weekend, plus a ton of other household chores that I haven’t even started. But for now, I’m kicking up my compression-laden legs and enjoying the satisfaction that comes from completing the long run.

And Aaron, in usual fashion, has already stolen my Picky Bar and is drinking all my Nuun. Good thing he’s adorable.

I need a Picky Bars club membership for my toddler. If that’s not an endorsement, I don’t know what is.