20 miles...I did it!!!

So I ran the 20 miles...all of it :) It took us 4:03:52 to finish...it was humid, but overcast, and breathing was rough, but I did it all! We run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute, and I got through the entire run thinking, "All you have to do is run 3 minutes, then you can walk 1." There were really hard 3 minute segments and there were really easy ones...but I did it! I was congested, spitting up phlegm (gross, I know), and my nose was a runny mess, but I dragged my sorry butt out there and did it! I didn't want to end up running on my own or missing one of our last long runs...so there ya have it :) If I can run 20 miles with a nasty head/chest cold and congestion, then I can totally do the full marathon healthy :) Woo hoo!! Now two short weeks and then our 23 mile run :) I'm getting closer and closer to the finish line! And I can't wait!

20 miles...it's go time...

So this Saturday is our 20 mile run...I'm kinda scared of how I'm going to feel during it, b/c I really haven't been running the past two weeks. I took the first week off b/c I was having major knee pain, so I rested and iced and didn't run at all from Saturday to Saturday. I ended up running that Saturday, but it was a 6-mile run. I felt great...then along comes Monday and I was sick as a dog, and I didn't run at all for the entire week b/c I couldn't breath and my head hurt, etc., etc. Being sick is NO fun...then I ran the Run Amuck on Saturday with my wifey, but it was a 3.5 mile run and full of obstacles. So I have to get back into my runs this week...at least 2 one-hour runs, then Saturday is our 20 miles. I'm actually really scared of how I'm going to react...of whether I'll be able to hold my own and last the full mileage. I felt great the two Saturday runs, but short runs are definitely way different than the long runs. Thank goodness for group runs and people who will keep me motivated and moving forward through the run. So we'll see how I fare on Saturday...

On another note, I can't believe we're already half-way through August. I honestly have no idea where the time has gone...this pretty much means there's 2 1/2 months until the marathon. We have three long runs left, I have a 1/2 marathon and the Army Ten Miler, then it's time for the marathon. That's kinda like whoa...who would've thought it'd be here so quickly?? Wasn't it just May? If I can make it through the last 3 long training runs, then I should be golden for the marathon :) I have plenty of support from my family and friends, and I have a great running partner...his wife and friends will be meeting us at certain points during the race to provide water and food and anything else we may need. The next thing I think I need, though, is new shoes...I love the running shoes I have, but only for short distances. For the 17 mile run, my feet were KILLING me...I need better shoes for those long distances!! That's for sure...but I won't get them this week...it'd be silly to get them for my first long run now, LOL.

Anyways - I'm off to bed...tomorrow starts another long week. Yay for Mondays :) Everyone enjoy it!


Quote of the day ~ "Don't go through life, GROW through life."