week 8, day 6 (9-3-11)
Boy, I was really excited about this run. We had my sister and cousin over the night before, and I didn't get to bed until midnight. I set my alarm for 7am, but fell back asleep and didn't get up until 7:28am. Which meant I didn't hit the trail until 8am. But, there was nothing stopping me from running 4 laps (there and back) at the park. Nothing. My goal was 2 hours flat. A few weeks back I ran 10+ miles in 1:30, so I knew it was a reasonable goal.
The first lap (3.4 miles) I ran in just under 30 minutes (about an 8:45 pace). I felt good. Didn't want to stop running.
The second lap (6.8 miles) I was running at about a 8:50 pace. This leg felt just as good as the first. If I would've stopped after this leg, I would've felt accomplished, but not complete.
Third (10.2 miles), I running around a 9 minute pace. I would've been ok with stopping here, started getting tired. It was a bit mental, though. Still had it in me to go further.
Finished the fourth lap at a 9:01 pace. Boy was this part rough. Not horrible, but boy I was done mentally! It didn't help that by the time I hit this leg, I was completely out of water & it was getting hotter. Wish I would've gotten out the door sooner!
This accomplishment was huge. This is the first time EVER that I've run this far (13.6) and this fast (9:01 pace). Last year I ran the RNR half marathon (13.1) around a 9:30 pace.
I've come a long way in the past 10 years. I thank God everyday for my progress, my healthy life style and the ability to compete and do what I love to stay fit.
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