Quick Update: Saturday's Long Run

Sorry I haven't posted all weekend, I have been so busy! I don't have much time but I wanted to at least give an update as to how my long run went on Saturday morning.

I didn't talk about it too much last week because I didn't want to jinx myself! Considering my past few long runs went horribly, I was hoping to just get out there and run as far as I could.

I had it in my head that I needed to do 17--anything over 15 would have been okay with me, but I had 17 in my mind as what I needed to do to be okay with my training situation. I set out with a newish course, a 4 mile loop at the beginning that brought me back by my building, and then an out and back course that totaled 15. I knew that if I made the loop longer than 17, I would have some room to add on if I was feeling strong.

I started out at 7:15 Saturday morning, which in itself was an accomplishment as I usually get out the door around noon, and the weather was cool and foggy. I was feeling a mixture of things as I started out, I kind of felt pretty strong but I also struggled for the first 4 to 7 miles to get in the groove.

Around mile 3 I really, REALLY had to go pee, and I was worried about where I could duck behind a bush (as downtown Charleston doesn't really allow for that) and as I was searching for somewhere, I glanced ahead of me, and like a beacon of light from above, I spotted a random Port-A-Potty! It was like a divine intervention. So I ducked into there and after that was set to go.

Around mile 7 I got to the Ravenel Bridge and was worried about how this mile + incline would do me. As I was making my way up, I noticed that I was actually running a good bit faster than I had been going previously! I started passing other runners and was feeling pretty strong. At the base of the bridge on the Mt. P side, I took my Triple Berry GU, got some water, and headed back up and over. I was now at about mile 11. This climb wasn't as easy on me and my legs were definitely feeling it.

Once I made it back over to the Charleston side of the bridge (mile 14ish) I had a choice to make. Do I take the longer loop home or the shorter? The shorter would bring me in around 16-17, where the longer would bring me in just around 18.

I chose the longer because I was feeling pretty consistent, and wanted to push myself as far as I could go.

I ended up finishing 18.0 miles like a champ!

My last two miles were my fastest, and I sprinted in mile 18 and finished that one in 8:58, for a total time of 3:05 and an average pace of 10:19. I was so proud of myself!!!

When I got home, I tried to stretch but my muscles weren't really cooperating, so I saved that for later and came in to suffer through a quick ice bath. Which I think has really been helping!

I don't have my splits to update yet, but all in all it was a GREAT run. I haven't even been that sore this weekend and today.

HOWEVER: (this is where the post turns negative) Last night I started to notice that my lower back was really bothering me on my right side when I bent down or turned to the right.

It got worse as the night progressed and was so bad by the time I was going to sleep I could only prop myself up in bed with 3 pillows and not move. This morning I took a hot bath, and brought a heating pad to work and it seems to be helping some, but I am not back 100% yet. I have my big test tomorrow morning so I won't be running tonight (i.e. I will be cramming like a mo fo), so hopefully by resting another day I will be able to run tomorrow afternoon.

I have had problems with my back before, and I think that this one was triggered by my run, but ultimately caused by my horrible posture. It also probably doesn't help that I am not strength training or working on my core muscles. That stops today!

Gotta get back to work, but here are some pics of my Gnocchi and Chicken Vegetable Soup that I made last week. The soup had kale, corn, okra, carrots, onion, rotisserie chicken and gnocchi in it. It was pretty good I must say, and extremely simple!

Hope you all have a fantastic Monday, and an even better week in running!