Interstate Runner

Funny, but I was pretty nervous about today's long run. My last long run, two weeks ago, was the hilly 15 miler that left my knee hurting so much I had to walk the last 2 miles - so basically I had only run 13. Today, the training plan called for 18 miles. I treated the last two days as though today was a race day. I wanted to come out and show these 18 miles who's boss. I wanted to put that 15 mile disappointment behind me. But, in the back of my mind there were those little itsy bitsy teeny weeny thoughts floating around telling me that maybe I'm just not a long distance runner. Maybe 15 miles (really 13) is as far as my body can run. Maybe all those people telling me I'm crazy for trying this marathon thing are right. Heck, I'm pretty good at putt-putt golf, so why not pursue that further instead?

I got up very early to beat the heat. And Sadie was NOT happy to be left behind. I started off slow, and then slowed down. I went out on a 9/1 plan. Run 9 minutes - walk 1 minute. I wasn't concerned with my time; I just wanted to finish this thing running and not walking with a gimp knee. And, as opposed to the very hilly 15 miler two weeks ago, I chose a relatively flat route. Now, there really isn't anything flat in Pullman. There is normal hilly and stretchy hilly (where the hills are just stretched out so they're not as steep.) Today was stretchy hilly.

I was feeling very strong the first hour and had to hold back knowing that I still had a long way to go. The run took me over into Moscow, Idaho and then back. It's always cool to say you ran from one state to the other. Sounds impressive. I kept the 9/1 plan and it was helping a lot. I felt strong all the way through - so strong that I decided to run the last 4 miles with no walk break. That worked for about 3.5 miles and then I was completely out of gas and walked the last little bit that goes up the big hill to my house. I mapped the run on MapMyRun.com when I got home to get the exact distance (and also elevation - click diagram to see) and it was 18.5 miles. Since I brought my watch for the 9/1 plan I was also able to time the entire run. I think I may start doing this on my long runs as I'm getting closer to Portland so I can have a realistic idea of what kind of marathon time to expect. So, the stats:

18.5 miles
2 hr 57 min (including the last .5 mile walk)
~9:34 min/mile pace

A successful day. I'm pretty excited about the entire run.

And I'm pretty excited that tomorrow is a rest day...

Sadie's check-up is tomorrow. I'll keep everyone updated.

Until then, keep running!

Scott