I am currently sitting on my couch, fresh out of my ice bath + shower, with my feet up watching The Sopranos. (Not my first choice, but I do like the show, and honestly I'm too lazy to change the channel.) We just finished 20 miles and although I was struggling the last two miles, it went pretty well!
I've found two lovely ladies that run around my same pace and we tend to stick together during the long runs. Today me, Katy and Kimi ran 1 mile intervals with a 1 minute or so walk at each mile marker. I LOVE breaking up the long runs like that, it makes the run go so much quicker!
I've been using Hammer gels, and Espresso is my fave. It tastes like mocha with a bonus jolt of caffeine! I took one around the hour mark and it really helped me pick up my pace. Then around the two hour mark I took a Hammer Apple Cinnamon gel. These taste like apple pie! Unfortunately since they are so sweet, I think the tend to give me cramps. It was hard to recover after that. In an effort to save the remainder of my run, I took about a 1/2 of another espresso gel around the 2:45 hour mark. It sort of helped.
The last two miles were the toughest for me, we had just had our last water break and were heading out for the last long stretch in full sunlight. It was getting hot out there and my legs were lead!
Our stats ended up being 20 miles in 3:24 with an average pace of 10:14. On our running portions we were keeping a steady pace of under a 9 minute mile!
Before my last marathon, my last long run of 21.5 miles that we run straight through (no walk breaks) our average pace was 10:54...considerably slower than running with short walk breaks! GALLOWAY SUCCESS.
I wore my new running clothes....
Love them! The shirt has a nice big pocket in the back where I can store my gels. The shorts I have are all black, very comfy.
I just inhaled a huge green smoothie with some added Amazing Grass (review to come whenever I finish the boatload of samples they sent me :) and now Matt and I are deciding if we want to go get food. I'm planning on lazing around for as long as possible today, I think I earned it!
What's everyone's fall racing schedule looking like? I have the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25th, possibly the Raleigh 1/2 Marathon on November 1st, and then the Kiawah 1/2 Marathon on December 12th. I might also throw in a few 5ks if I can find the time. (Will be doing one on Thanksgiving Day in Greensboro, NC most likely).
Happy Sunday folks..
awesome run! that's great that the galloway is working out so well.
ReplyDeletei was debating kiawah vs thunder road for my december marathon but i think kiawah just closed -- arghgh! so thunder road it is :)
You definitely earned some rest and recovering time! Congrats on a great run!
ReplyDeleteNice work! Sounds like you were smiling the whole time - the perfect way to complete a 20 miler!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, it is toasty out there today! It looks like Galloway is really working for you. I can't believe your MCM is so soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat job girl! You are doing awesome!! My main race I'm training for is the St. Jude 1/2 on Dec. 5th! I have some 5k's and a Thanksgiving 4 miler I'm doing also!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the 20! It was thanks to you that I started thinking about the 1mi run/1min walk approach to my long runs :)
ReplyDeleteIt's those great 20-milers that get us through the races! Go you! You are doing great!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the run! I may have to go the Galloway method with this next marathon. My racing schedule as of now....completed the Asheville Half (not great), thinking about the Battleship Half on November 1, and Kiawah Full in December....and then I'm done for a while. That'll put me at 2 full and 3 half marathons this year. I'm tired :)
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love that exhausted feeling? Great job!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this 20-miler! You sound really happy with it, which is the best.
ReplyDeleteNice job on the run. Very cool that you found other runners that run at the same pace. Let me know if you do Raleigh.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see you!!! It's so soon now! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the 20 miler. Sounds like the Galloway method is working well for you. Are you planning on doing that for the marathon also? I think I would STRUGGLE with starting back up again after the walk breaks. And that's awesome that your pace is quicker WITH the walk breaks. You're well on your way to a marathon PR. :D
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the 20 miles - I can't believe you ran them so fast! You'll be great on marathon day! Three cheers for Galloway.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a great run...looks like you're setting yourself up nicely for the marathon! How awesome that you found some like-paced people to run with!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I love all your running clothes, I'm such a clothes stalker.
ReplyDeleteWay to go on the 20 miles, that's a great pace. You are in store for a big PR!
my schedule is all messed up with the move, i'm hoping I don't have to eat all of these registration fees!
ReplyDeleteAwesome work, girl! My group also takes short walk/water breaks at each mile on our long runs. I tell ya, I've grown to love it!
ReplyDeleteLet's see, up next for races, I have a 1/2 this Saturday in Buena Vista and just signed up for the Vegas Marathon on Dec. 6. Woohoo!
I came across your blog the other day. You got a lot of races coming up. I live in Raleigh, I haven't decided about the half marathon yet. If I do it I will let you know. Good luck with all your running! I haven't done a long run in awhile I hope to start getting back into them in October.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the 20 miler! I've used the Galloway method a time or two and it does work! Keep running!
ReplyDeleteWOW! great job - I am so nervous about the 20-miler and I'm only on week 3. AHH!! There is hope right?!
ReplyDeletewoooo great job on the 20 miler girlie!
ReplyDeleteHey chica, just checking in on you. My google reader misses your blog:)
ReplyDeleteNice job on the 20! Check out Chocolate #9 gels as well they work really well also!
ReplyDeleteok I am shamelessly stopping by all the bloggies that I read and know (even if you haven't posted in awhile!!) to ask for their vote daily...from as many computers and friends as possible to help me win the job as the Sam-e Good Mood blogger
ReplyDeletehttp://sam-e.com/job/profile/751
We have been using wheatgrass in a lot of our cooking. We sprinkle it over pizza, cereal, and even ice cream. The sweetness takes away some of that bitter taste real wheatgrass has. It is loaded with nutrition and an easy way to get your daily vegitables.
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