Whew, am I glad that is done! I always get lots of anxiety about long runs. Paul was kind enough to let me tag along and make him run 18 miles today. I knew I'd keep the pace honest trying to keep up with him! Met at Tiffany's booth at Gardener Village, and let me tell you! That girl is amazing! If you get the chance, swing by her booth there or Sundays at Wheeler Farm. BEAUTIFUL pictures and flowers! She puts the pics on cards, coasters and framed. I wish I had $1000 and I would redecorate my house with just her pictures! I love them!! Definitely a gifted artist. We headed North and took a little detour to Paul's new house. They are currently renovating it before move-in time and he has done some really nice work himself. We didn't have keys so we just had to peek in windows, but I was impressed with all the work! We passed the Never Bear and got to my old condo on 3900W and took a little detour past my old unit. They still have the curtains I put up with our new flooring and carpet in 2004. I guess they were timeless :) We finally hit 10 miles a bit after 3300S and turned around to head back. No detours home. On the way back I was starting to get hot. We'd started at 9AM, so by now it was 10:30+ and I was feeling the sun and heat. I kept reminding myself it is better than SGM has been the last 2 years, so suck it up! But, I still made Paul stop 3 or 4 times to enjoy the free water put out by SL Running company. Every few miles they had complimentary coolers of water and Gatorade! I think I owe them a shoe purchase now. Our stops were brief, because I wanted to do this without stopping...more race like, but I just had to get that water. I was hot. A couple times I stuck my head under the spigot or dumped a cup or water on my head. Felt good and kept me going. Mile 16 my legs were done, I struggled here a bit mentally and physically, but Paul just kept truckin' along and I knew I had to get back somehow. Running is faster than walking, so I just wanted to get it over. I think that is what happened the last mile. I just kicked it in and got it over with! Almost hit a sub 8...SO close! But, a tempo mile at the end of an 18 when I'm struggling? yeah, I'll take it. Especially in light of my stellar training lately! HA! We finished a little early and had a good cool down walk back to the market and it was then I really started to feel the heat. I needed some good heat training - that is certain! Stretched and recovered a bit in the booth and got to hear some good stories to go along with the awesome pictures. Good times! Now, since my hubby's rock climbing partner cancelled on him I get to go rock-climbing this evening. I'm tired, but hey...he helped me out this morning so he deserves some time out. I think this may be my fastest long run...I guess I can't complain too much. A flat, honest run and still keeping a decent pace. Maybe I can tackle SGM after all. AP: 8:27 splits: 8:37, 8:19, 8:24, 8:36, 8:22, 8:33, 8:27, 8:23, 8:24, 8:21, 8:16, 8:33, 8:28, 8:42, 8:34, 8:32, 8:35, 8:02
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