I can’t believe I’m wrapping up my 7th week of training. It seems like only a couple weeks ago when I started training for the Las Vegas Marathon which is December 6th. I’m very excited that I haven’t missed a single training run, and today feels like it’s paid off. I was able to run the full 14 miles without stopping!
Today was the first time I’ve run with someone alongside me, and who is also running at the same pace. My friend Emily Stone is training for the Marine Corps Marathon coming up in 5 weeks, and she ran a half-marathon today! Lindsey took off right from the beginning, being a faster runner than Emily and me. The 14-mile run was 7 out and 7 back. For the first 6.5 miles, I shared some great conversation with Emily. Around the 6th mile, I gave her one of my GU energy gel packets, which she never tried before. She about gagged on it, but then got it down fine. I hope it helped her get through some of the miles on the way back.
Once we high-fived Lindsey as she was on her way back, Emily turned around to finish her half, and I continued on for another half mile before turning around. I couldn’t believe the view of the Potomac River! I saw a calm river with a few canoes and boats. Then the trail merged into Water Street on the riverfront, and I was close to one of the bridges that connects to Virginia before I turned around. I didn’t stop running the whole time, and I finally caught up with Emily with about 2 miles to go. She was having leg pains with her IT band, otherwise she would have finished out running side-by-side. I ended up running a faster 13.1 mile pace than my half-marathon a couple weeks ago. I beat the half-marathon time by 7 minutes.
After the run, we all had some bagels, then Lindsey and I went back home and spent the afternoon in the movie theatre watching The Informant! It was set in southern Illinois, so the scenery was very familiar. There was even a scene at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis with a nice shot of the Gateway Arch!
Summary:
Location: Capital Crescent Trail, Bethesda, MD
Conditions: Perfect! 60-70 and a light breeze
Goal: 14 miles
Results: 14 miles non-stop
Time: 2:50:30
Pace: 12:10/mile
Total Training Miles to Date: 153
Click here to view my complete training schedule
Thoughts:
I was convinced that I would end up walking some today, but I kept my pace. Building up endurance during those weekday runs are paying off. Also, having a partner to run with really made time fly! Thanks Emily!
I also started taking my multi-vitamins again this morning and started taking a potassium pill. Maybe that helped a bit in replenishing my body.
What I’ll remember most:
The three of us having a great time on the trail, and eating bagels on the bench completely whipped!
