Gulf Coast Half Marathon (Use the code ROADRUNNERGIRL for 20% off registration)
Senior Bowl Charity Run 10K
Battleship 12K
Double Bridge Run 15K
Disney Princess 5K
Disney Enchanted 10K
Disney Princess Half Marathon
Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon (Use the code ROADRUNNERGIRL15 to save $15 off all 2015 Rock 'n' Roll races)
This week 12 miles was on the schedule! I will say that I was pretty nervous about this run. Remember how my knee tightened up the last mile on my 11 mile training run? I was super worried that was going to happen again. Plus, I would be running solo because Jenny is still nursing an injury. So I did lots of praying before this one!
The weather was absolutely perfect for this run! The temperature was 61°. There was some wind but it wasn't too bad.
I started around 5AM so it was super dark the first few miles. I was running down this super dark and long road (it's two miles one way). I used the flashlight on my phone to help me see. But from the start I felt great. Before I knew it I had made it to mile 3.5 and my first water stop! I couldn't believe how fast the first 5K went! Then it was time to turn around and head back in the other direction. It was still pretty dark but I made it to the mile 6 water stop in no time!
I drank a few sips of water and ate 3 Honeystinger chews. Then I started running again. By this time the sun was starting to rise. But I couldn't see it because it was pretty cloudy. I was super glad to have daylight though.
Before I knew it (the time seemed to be flying by) I had made it to my next water stop at mile 9! I only had 3 miles to go! I had a feeling these last 3 miles might be tough.
I got going again...and I still felt amazing! My legs felt strong, my breathing was great, and I felt like I was flying! I felt like I could run and run and run...forever! I finished strong! I knew I was ready for my half marathon in two weeks!
When I saw my time and pace at the end of my run I was in shock!!! I ran so fast...and I never felt like I was struggling at all! My knee never tightened up. I never felt tired. It was an amazing run! Thank you Jesus!!!
My cute outfit could have been the reason I ran so fast...right??!!
After some stretching I stopped on the way home for some lowfat chocolate milk. I knew I needed it for recovery since I ran so fast! It was sooooo yummy! The perfect treat AND perfect way to recover after a long run!
I did the math and knew that if this had been a half marathon I would have PRed by about 2 minutes! Let's hope I have this same kind of run in two weeks from now on race day!!!
I'm so thankful for such a great run!!!
QOTD: Have you ever amazed yourself with your pace on a long run?
