Last 20 Miles Before The Series

Today I ran my last 20 mile long run before I begin my series of three marathons. 

Rochester on Sept. 22nd.  I’m hoping my body is into it and will try to maintain a pace between the 3:40 and 3:45 pace.

Chicago on Oct. 13th.  Running with Ted in his first marathon.  We expect to come in sometime under 5 hours but you know how the first marathon goes… we just want to finish.

Syracuse Empire Marathon on Oct. 20th.  This one is up in the air.  If I’m not hurt and the body is willing, I’ll get to the starting line and head towards the finish, hoping for the best.

Right after Syracuse, I’m getting online and signing up for Marathon Maniacs.  I need the 3 marathons to qualify.

Anyway, today was my last long run of 20 miles and it went AMAZINGLY well.  I’ve never felt so good after a 20 mile training run.  It might have been due to…

1. I ate 1/2 a Clif Bar before heading out.  I usually eat 1/2 a bagel with PB.

2. I ran very slow with Shane for the first 7 miles, between 11:36 and 9:50 pace.

3.  Ted was with me on his bike for 12 of my 20 miles.  That helped to keep my pace a little faster, about a 9:45 pace.

4. I took a gel at 7 miles, one at 13 miles and for 12 of the miles, I drank water with Hammer FIZZ, an electrolyte replacement tablet that dissolves in the water.  Peach flavored. Very good.

5.  It could have been my fast 2 mile finish with Zoey at a 9:04 and 8:51 pace.  No, guess not. I think doing things right earlier in my run enabled me to run faster with the Zoe-Bean.

AND… of course the good long run had NOTHING to do with our short run around Utica College football field because THIS is what happened.

I found the mat and made use of it for a minute.

Oh look!  They have bikes set up under the tent.  Fooled around for another minute or so on the training bike. 

The long run should be fun right? After all, most of us are not running for a living, we’re running for fun.  Just keeping it fun.

So that was my long run.  Started out the first mile at 11:36 (Shane stops a lot during that first mile), brought it down to 9:45 during the middle miles and ended with an 8:51 mile finish. 

The hamstring was sore but not as bad as my 12 plus miler on Friday.  Iced it and will hope for the best.  Monday, Labor Day, Ted is going out for 12 to 14 and may want company.  I know it will be a slower run but I’m not pushing it. If my legs and head feel like going out for a fourth day of running, I’ll do it.

Hope you all have a very good Labor Day.  Celebrate and make it special.

Do you know what we celebrate on Labor Day? Just in case you didn’t see above or …(from Wiki)…creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers