23 miles...done and done

So I finished all 23 miles...at an 11:30 per mile pace. Wow. That's really all I have to say. I can't believe my body carried me for 4 hours, 26 minutes, and 45 seconds over the full 23 miles (well, according to my Garmin, it was 23.18 miles or so, but who's counting??). I was in A LOT of pain (my poor legs didn't want to move forward), but I finished it all. I don't know if it was just a bad running day, or if my legs were telling me something I didn't want to hear, but I put one foot in front of the other and I finished the whole thing. God Bless my running group for keeping my spirits up and helping me finish strong, because without them, I seriously don't think I would have finished. It was sheer willpower and the great teamwork of my group that kept me moving forward. I'm hoping the 26 miles isn't that bad...I've been having a pain in the bottom of my left foot (right in the ball of my foot), so I've been experimenting with insoles for my shoes hoping to make it go away. I got some gel insoles the other day and I had no pain during my hour long run today. I think the true test will be on Friday for my 10 mile run.

So anyways - back to the 23. I got home and immediately climbed into an ice bath. I was freezing, but I think it helped way more than regular icing. I then used my foam roller to pretty much roll every muscle in my legs. I was having a severe pain in my left hip...I'm not sure what it was from b/c I didn't do anything to it during the run, but I was limping from the pain. So I rolled the crap outta of it and lo and behold, I felt MUCH better the next day. The human body does strange things, huh? I guess I should expect it considering I am running a marathon, LOL. Talk about doing strange things to one's body, LOL.

Anyways - I have two short run weeks, then the 26 miles, then three short run weeks, then the marathon. Holy cow...it's coming up quicker than I thought it would!!! And I'm actually doing it!!! SCARY :P Keep my crazy self in your thoughts and prayers and hope it carries me through...along with my poor legs :)


Quote of the day ~ "I don't necessarily agree with everything I say."