Challenge me to Chicago

 I have been reading quite a few blogs within the last week in which people completed their last long run before Chicago. It made me realize that I haven’t done a super long run yet so I better get on that. I was hoping to do it last week. But after my 12 mile run on Monday which was partially in the run, it ended up raining the rest of the week and actually flooded, so there was no run. I had to work the rest of the weekend then I planned to go home to visit family the following week, so I knew a long run would not take place then.  My only time to get my long run in would be a Saturday morning long run. This in itself became another one of those challenging runs.

I can't believe in just 2 weeks I will be at this start line.   Source

After working until midnight the night before, I knew getting up at 6 am would be a challenge but I was ready for it. I planned to meet my running buddy, because he is always helpful when I need to get a long run in. I was hoping to do 16-18 miles. I haven’t been to a Saturday morning long run in quite sometime. My running buddy never plans it, but I know he is always out there every week at 7. I thought this week I would surprise him and actually show up.

Well he surprised me and wasn’t there. Luckily I brought my Ipod that had two new podcast episodes on it.  So I set off running through the State Park like usual. I was about a mile and half into my run and I find the trail completely flooded. This was not a good sign I thought. Maybe I should turn around now. No, I was getting my run in! I didn’t get up to cut it short! Luckily there was a portion on the road that was not flooded that still lead into the park.

 I continued my run and was about 5 miles into it until my next obstacle, a fallen down tree. I was either jumping over it, or ducking underneath it since it was on an angle. I was able to just bend underneath it since I am so short.  I decided I would go out of the park and start heading up to the oceanfront area.

When I exited the park there was a stand out for a running group that was training but they were offering Gatorade and water to all runners going by.  I didn’t need anything so I continued down the sidewalk towards the boardwalk. On the sidewalk I noticed inspirational saying such as, you can do it and don’t give up written with sidewalk chalk. I wonder if it was the group that was handing out water.

Yea, I was totally taking a nap when I got home.

 When I arrived on the boardwalk I was at 7 miles. I knew the length the board walk was about 3 miles.  I was feeling really good and keeping a good pace now that I was running on the boardwalk rather than the trail. I made it all the way to the end of the boardwalk and saw my watch hit 10 miles….wohoo! Now I just had to make my way back home. I went the same route back that I did when I headed out. I passed the table again with Gatorade and water and took this opportunity to fill my water bottle up.  

Right before I entered the park again, my Podcast finished and I had to switch it to my music playlist. I noticed that my Ipod was in the red and knew it was going to die soon. I had 5 miles left, so I began to pick up my pace to see how far I can get before it shut off. Only a mile left and I was out of the park by now but still on a sidewalk trail where there are some stores and shops on the other side.

Another stand was out by the trail. It was behind a chiropractor building that said they were doing a free 2 minute posture screenings that morning. I thought for a second that may be nice, but already knew what they would tell me, that I have a forward lean. So I told them I’d stop but I was on a time frame now. They said you’re looking great, keep up the good work. I knew I was almost home and wasn’t quite at 20 miles so I ran up another block until I saw my watch hit 20 miles! Of course I was happy to be finished with my run, but most of all I was happy that I felt great during my whole run. I am ready for Chicago!

Later that day, I told my running buddy I missed him during my long run. He told me that his foot had been bother him and wanted to take the day off. I hope he feels better soon, because we have plenty of long runs in our future for our fall race schedules! 

We will be linking up with our friends from TOTR.