Time: 2:08:02 (10:50 min/mile)
Number of dogs that chased me: 3
Number of dogs I chased back: 3
Number of horses I saw: 3
Number of cats that followed me, so I stopped to pet them: 1
Number of idiots who didn't slow down on the gravel road and threw rocks and dust in my face: All of them
Minutes with iPod: 77
Minute when iPod died (from over-sweatyness): 78
Number of sore knees: 2
Number of super slow miles: the last 2
All in all, a good last long run before the half, but dammit I wanted 12.1 and ended up .2 short of 12. I'm pissed about that, but I figure I'll make it up by actually running during this taper, as opposed to last time when I ran 12 miles and then took two weeks off. Right.
The first 1 hr, 30 min of this run felt fabulous and I'd say this is the best I've felt throughout a run this long ever. This all bodes well for the half.
I am a bit disappointed with my pace. (Yes, I know it IS a long slow distance run) but I tend to run at the same pace regardless. This would put me at over 2:20 for the half...which is ok, but I'm really hoping for sub 2:20. I'm going to have to push it a bit more. I will say miles 1-9 were at a decent pace. I really really really slowed down those last miles. Any advice on workouts I can do over the next week to stick it out miles 10-13?
And now, pictures. Here's the fun part, on my long 12 last year I found horses. This year, they found me. I had no clue any lived at this one house, but as I approached three scrub ponies came trotting out of the bush to say hello. I figure that was a good omen.
Me, happy for hay bales, scrub ponies and a gorgeous morning. 
It smells as good as it looks.
See? Hills in Saskatchewan. This is a small hill. I live in a very hilly place. It's gorgeous.
The two hour mark and still smiling and not entirely beet red. I felt good, just tired legs. 
2 comments:
Take advantage of those lunch runs and go as fast as you can until you think you might puke. Seriously. That is help you on race day.
I'm glad you only had 2 sore knees instead of 3 or 4. That would suck.
I agree with Jen P., having 4 sore knees after a run really sucks! Although, technically, since she is preggo -- it could happen. :)
Good job with the 12-ish miler. My experience is that on race day the adrenaline helps me run a bit faster. Or -- you could go pro-cyclist-style and wear a testosterone patch. Although finishing under 2:20 with chest hair might not be quite as enticing.
Heh.
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