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August 20, 2006
16 miles
My garmin reads 16.25 miles ... I am super happy.
The alarm went off at 5.25am ... even the sun wasn't up yet. I ate, dressed, wrapped foot, gathered all neccessary items for long run and headed out the door at 6.15am. Sun was just beginning to wake up. I parked in front of P and D's and prepared to start the first 4 miles of my 16 miler journey.
D appeared to see me off, asking if I would prefer a coffee instead .... do you know how hard it is to turn down a coffee at 6.30 on a cold and dark morning?
I set off. There is something wonderful about this time of the morning. There is a calmness in the air, even with storm clouds forming overhead. The air is fresh, cleaner and purer than normal. The world is quiet. The sound of you heal strike ampilfied as if I turned up the bass. I had plenty of time and many more miles in front of me, so I took these miles really slow. The world began to awaken, and my pace began to quicken. I was ready to join everyone for 12 more.
The first 8 miles with the group were comfortable and easy. We stopped to take a gel and grab some water in the park. When we started up again my legs felt tight. Only 4 more miles to go and it would be over. As I hit my 14th mile of the day, I could really feel my legs, they were protesting at my new plan. They weren't so happy about 16 miles, they would of been very happy with 13 probably pushed to 14. 16 was a big jump.
The last 2 miles are almost all up hill. I'm not going to sugar coat this,
I HATED THE LAST TWO F@#*ING MILES!
It was through a gorgeous neighbour, probably one of the nicest in town, at the time however, I was thinking more that these pretentious bastards have too much money, with their perfectly manicured lawns. I don't even have time to get a manicure, maybe they could spend some of their millions and have this hill removed. Yeah, flatten the road! Maybe someone in their Hummer or Merc could offer to drive up this stupid hill. Now that the 6000 mg of advil are cursing through my veins I can truly appreciate the beautiful architecture.
So, I got the run in. I do ache ... alot ... especially the bottoms of my feet (the heels). I am trying not to think about next Sunday's 18 miler.
Shudder
Big thanks to P and D for hosting the run and for my super-huge-had-to-hold-it-with-two-hands cup of much needed coffee!
Posted by Ali at August 20, 2006 4:00 PM
Comments
"I HATED THE LAST TWO F@#*ING MILES!"
Oh, dear. I am very certain that I have NEVER felt like that on ANY runs EVER. Never. Ever. Nope. :)
Way to hang in there, Ali. Watch those heels. Do you need new shoes?
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at August 20, 2006 5:15 PM
Okay, I just popped a couple more advils ... maybe it wasn't that bad (yes it was) ... I'll rephase
"I didn't totally enjoy the last two miles"
:)
Posted by: ali at August 20, 2006 6:36 PM
your blog is very nice and cleanly designed.
fantastic run today 16 miles!! wonderful!.
hope your feeties feel better soon
Posted by: neese at August 20, 2006 7:03 PM
great job ali, excellent!!
Posted by: brent at August 21, 2006 7:38 PM