The last 20-miler!! #4 was a PR!!

RUN 20 miles in 2:55, 8:45 m/m pace

After yesterday's mental crash and subsequent GI issues, I wasn't sure today could happen. But I woke up to a great email that helped keep me happy :) The original plan was a short WU, 12-14 mile race pace, and a short CD to total 16 miles. Within that run was going to be some hard hill climbs to simulate the flat-up-down-flat profile of the race. This was all planned at CCP. I ran at CCP, but didn't follow that plan.

I did park the truck at the top of the hill, but didn't incorporate the hill in the run. Oh well. The day was gorgeous, it was Easter, and finally it was warm out. How could I complain?

I jogged down the steps, headed to the cove restrooms (as part of the WU) and knew within that first mile that there might not be much race pacing today. But why do I decide these things during the WU? I have a 3 hr run and I'm making major decisions in the first 10 mins? WTH? The first few miles of any long run (or effort) like this are overwhelming. The Blerch is loud and clear with excuses as to why we should only do 12 miles an no hill and no efforts and other lazy shit like that. I'm learning to tune that out, but it's still there, whispering...

After a bathroom break, back on track. Once again it was just me and my head to listen too, it's crowded in there sometimes, so I was glad for all the other trail users. Especially the family looking closely at something along the side of the gravel trail who asked if the police were still coming. Say what?!

Instead of turning to continue on the trail, I broke off to wander a bit. I found a limestone trail south of the park that dead ended at a pool (?) facility, turned around and headed for some stretches of road that I've ridden before. I figured it was nice simulation for the marathon -- long stretches of road.

Everything was feeling great! I was holding sub-9 minutes, no pain, warm sun, quiet roads, and most of all a quiet head. I decided somewhere around mile 7 that I'd try for my "20 under 3hrs" goal that I missed in the last 20-miler. So far I was on track for success.

It's hard to get down everything I see or think in a 3 hr effort, but here's a few bits: the woman with the "I'll step on you to win" t-shirt; the guy with the "Sexy And I Know It T-shirt", the random 5K late in the morning with mostly walking kids, the 2 basset's playing in the water at the beach...that's the external stuff. Inside, I was continuously talking to myself, mathing my pace, banking marathon benchmarks and momentos for the race, stuff like that. I'm happy y mind was mostly cleared of yesterday's problems.

So while this was a 20 under 3hr effort, I did stop to eat a gel every 6 hours and I did stop for water when I could (I only had a 2 bottle fuel belt). But I still count it as under 3hrs. The previous 20's were 3:09, 3:12, and I think a 3:15. So this was a training PR and a great mental and confidence booster!