16 miles...done

Today's training called for 16 miles.  My longest run to date.  It is also my last really long run before my first half marathon on January 1.

As I started out on my run today, I felt oddly under dressed.  It was probably about 40 degrees when I started out this morning, I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and my pink skirt.  Every other runner I pasted had at least a long sleeve shirt on, if not gloves or a hat. But, I was hot and I thought they looked crazy.

About mile 9 I started to head north, this is when I noticed that the wind had changed and the front was moving through.  Those other runners must have checked the weather.  Oops.  But I thought it still felt kind of good.

It wad also at this point that I wished I had already done all my northward running.   Winds from the north at 20-25 miles per hour are a little tough.

During mile 10, I began to hit a wall.  I was tired of running into the wind.  My legs were tired.  I also was having to start and stop a lot because of all the cars that were arriving for the parade. (Way more traffic than usual.)  It was also during this time I had to call my husband to give him some advice on how to get to the parade and where to park.

I could see the road where I was going to get to turn and I was determined to get there thinking that the wind would be less.  When I got to the turn I realized it was only a little better.

I had less than 5 miles to go and I needed to make it back to the parade area before the parade started.  I was meeting my family there for the parade and, of course, then ride home with them.

I believe what helped me finish my 16 miles today was the fact that I knew my boys were waiting at the parade for me and I didn't want to miss it.  I finished 3 minutes over my desired pace.  I was able to finish 13.1 miles in under 2.5 hours, which is my goal for my race January 1.

In the next few weeks leading up to my first half marathon, I need to do a better job with hydration, nutrition and sleep.  A little less running might help also.  Hopefully improvements in all of these areas will have me ready to go January 1, 2011.
  
One last thing, when I met my family at the parade, my husband said, "I don't know if I am proud of you or if I'm worried because you are crazy."  He would not walk, he would not run, he would take a car (from a Dr. Seuss book.)