Week 8- Cool & Caffeinated

Who said I couldn't run 12 miles?!?!?  (Oh wait, that was me.)  But I did it!  In fact, my Nike Plus underestimated my distance, and when I mapped it after returning home, I realized I ran 12.83 miles!  


Super happy.  And the best part?  I felt like I could have gone farther if I'd had to. Feeling pretty positive about my Sarathon training right now.  I still have nearly three months to go.  If I can stay on track and injury-free, the marathon doesn't seem like an impossibility!


I want to reiterate something (if there's anyone reading this who just happened to stumble upon this blog and is in need of inspiration): ONE YEAR AGO I COULDN'T RUN ONE MILE. Heck, I couldn't run five minutes!  And on Saturday I completed more than 12 miles.  Yes, I did run-walk intervals (http://www.jeffgalloway.com/).  Yes, I was SLOW as a turtle.  But I did it.  And I can't wait to do more!


Week 8 of my training was great.  My cold finally went away and the weather has started cooling down.  I did my two runs during the week in Central Park as usual.  I ran the entire time of the first one, at a pretty good pace for me.  My 2nd run was with Mike, and I introduced him to the run-walk intervals.  I felt so good that I wanted to add another run this week before the long one, but super runner/super friend Andi said I should probably take it easy since I was coming off of a cold, a "longest run ever" less than a week ago, and had another "longest run ever" coming up.  Thanks, Andi!  I went into my 12-miler feeling rested and great.


A lot of things went right on Saturday.   Happy to report that I figured out the right protein/carb breakfast to keep me feeling good for my 3-hour run.  This week, I tried 1/4 cup dry raw walnuts and a piece of toast with butter & jam.  My stomach wasn't bothered at all, and I felt like I had boundless energy until about mile 5, when I started taking my gel. That's when it got interesting:  I didn't realize that I had bought (for the first time) a gel enhanced with caffeine.


HOLY ENERGY!!!!!


If you saw a streak of pink lighting on the Queensboro Bridge last Saturday, it may have been the Pink Turtle on a caffeine frenzy!  Let's just say I'll be buying those gels again.


I had to add some mileage after the Galloway scheduled group run, and trusty Mike met me so I didn't have to go it alone!  He was pleasantly surprised to discover that I was feeling good and energized (I had told him to be prepared to carry me), since he joined me for miles 9-12. I really appreciated his conversation and company, as the remaining miles flew by!  Thanks, Mike! 


Admittedly, I was pretty stiff and tired the rest of the day, but not too tired to head up to Marshalls on 125th for another discount running shirt.  My legs are never too tired to shop.


Very excited to have  a "short" week coming up- my long run this weekend will only be 7 miles.  


You know you're a runner when you think a 7-miler is "short".


Sarathon or bust!