Seventeen.

Another long training run crossed off the list! Can I just say I think there should be a finish line and a medal at the end of every long run. I was excited for this run because I got some great deals on running tights ($15!) and a Compression Jacket from Old Navy. I also had bought some Gu Brew from REI a few weeks back and was excited to try it out on a run. I woke up around 4:30 and had my PB&J, watched my inspirational videos of the finish of the Disney Marathon from previous years to keep me focused on the goal and was out the door by 5:10 or so. It was a bit chilly, but I felt super fly in my cool new workout gear. Light jog/walk intervals for the first mile to get warmed up and I was feelin pretty good. Around mile 2 I was running a straight part of the parkway in front of the bank, maybe 30 yards long or so and right when I started running I heard the sprinklers turn on… and I got pelted! All I could was laugh.

I was feeling pretty great doing some run/walk combos through miles 3-7. My knee started hurting a bit, but I was still feeling good. I got the runners high for sure, I felt like I could fly.

Sunrise at mile 7!

I kept a quick (for me) pace and finished a half-marathon distance at 3 hours 7 minutes. I wanted to be under 3 hours, but I was pretty close. I did a TON better on miles 14 and 15 than I did last long run, but my pace started dropping fast. Miles 16 and 17 were kinda rough, but I finished strong. I wanted to finish in under 4 hours, but ended up finishing 4 hours 19 minutes. Still pretty good considering it was the longest I’ve ever run.

Just a few more months until the marathon, and I’m getting so psyched up. It’s not a matter of “if” I can finish at this point, it’s just a matter of how long it will take lol. So here is to another long run down, with many more to come.