onepinkfuzzy

I rock.

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So, I wanted to just leave it at that, but me being me, I can't :) As Ash would say, "I have so many words in my tummy!"

The last time I ran 8 miles before work was probably January 2006. And I've never ran more than 8 miles before work. I'm pretty darn proud of myself.

Not only did I do it, but my pace averaged 11:30/mile, including breaks while waiting for signals to change and for stopping to refill my water bottle twice.

The 21 oz of PowerBar Endurance drink, 32 oz of water and one serving of margarita Clif shot blocks helped. (I first tried the margarita flavor on Sunday's 16.5 mile run. I pulled the package out of my pack and my stomach turned thinking of putting alchol-flavored gunk in my mouth. But I popped one in anyway, and my goodness, it was fantastic! Definitely my favorite flavor.) Outkast's "Hey Ya" also helped. Thank goodness for the water fountain on campus, and next time I need to remember to bring my debit card. I found myself wanting to stop and get cold fluid at one of the many stores I passed. I'm so not used to running in the urban jungle. I'm more used to being stuck out in the wilderness!

I'm not sure how much running I'll get from Friday to Sunday - I've got lots of plans, between C's birthday and Ash. Kiera and I still have not figured out if we are running Saturday morning. Maybe I'll be able to pull myself out of bed on Sunday morning and run 8 to 10 miles. (After Saturday night's big bash?! I don't know about that...) The problem is that it's over 100 now every day here in the desert. In order to run long, I have to get up at 5 am. Short runs in over 100-degree heat don't bother me, but I don't want to go for 8 to 10 miles at 10 am on Sunday morning when it's approaching 100.

So I'm debating. Sleep in after a night of revelry or get up and run? (Don't answer that. I know what y'all are thinking.)

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Olga and I had some discussion after my last post regarding training. I think I'll just copy and paste...

Her comment:
"OK, I had to scroll back and read your whiny little things about DNF at MY race. hello! Who's gonna let you? Seriously, first of all you do know finishing an ultra is mental. You did your first on what, 16M longest run? Now you even know what to expect and how to handle it. Besides, are you planning to like place high or run for experience and a personal test? So set out with a clear plan at what pace you want to have run breaks and at what intervals you have your walk breaks, and that's it. Say you want 7 hrs, split in 2 (just because back is more downhill, otherwise I'd suggest 15% on second half), and make it work, stick with it, and enjoy! Now later after whining you went and had a great long run - so the previous post is negated by me:) Now tell C. to get a book and drive you to Sabino canyon, get 3 more runs of 4-5 hrs and you're set. Don't look for excuses, look for motivations. remember how great it felt to finish the last 2 50k's."

My response:
"HAHAHAHAHAH! Who will let me, indeed. I heard Eric and Michelle will be there too. There's no way y'all will let me DNF. I was wondering what your response would be to that!

Yes, I did my first on 17 miles as my longest run. But I also injured myself that day and I don't want that to happen this time, because I want to run that marathon in the fall. No plans to place at all, only to finish. I even have A/B/C goals:
A. Finish under 8 hours
B. Finish in 10 hours
C. Crawl to the finish line by 12 hours

I was trying to figure out what I wanted my desired pace to be. I think if I start out attempting to average 4 miles per hour, I should be finish at just about 8 hours, and I shouldn't hurt myself.

I know I'll get one more run of 4-5 hours on Sunday the 24th. I was thinking of heading out on Sunday July 15 for 3-4 hours as my last long run before tapering – that only gives me a two-week taper though. It's hard to fit long runs in around when I have Ash. Not sure I'll get three more long runs, but I know I'll get two."

Her response:
"2 weeks taper is enough. 2 more runs will also better than none and will put you at mental ease. 4 mph is a good pace to start with. You can do it!"

That's right. I can do it. And I will.