Monday, June 11, 2012

Monday Mix Tape - Longest Run Ever Edition

Are you dying to find out about my run on Saturday??? My longest EVER??? Well, I totally rocked it. So much so, I'm still high as a kite from it!

I got up at 6:15 with absolutely no problem. I never even tried to talk myself out of it. I was not running with the group so I was calm. More on that later.

I parked my car at the closest train station to what will be the finish line on the 4th. As the train sped northbound to the starting point, I was watching all those miles fly by and I got a little scared. I was leaving my car and had nothing but a debit card, a Marta card and an iPod. Somehow I was going to have to make it back!

My panicky breathing started as I was leaving the train station and walking up the hill to the starting point but I got it under control and set out. The first few blocks were awful. All the sidewalks were torn up for construction and I under-estimated how hard that would be to navigate. I'm a klutz and had to be really slow and really careful. Once I crossed the 1st major intersection, the sidewalks were clear, the breeze was blowing and I was in my groove. I had in my head all the little landmarks I was going to get to before stopping to walk but I never needed to stop. I just kept going and going and going. A guy passed me literally sprinting down the street and gave me a thumbs up (which I totally deserved!)

By the time I got to Cardiac Hill I was about a mile from my car and it was all uphill from there. This hill is famous in this race and it's a killer. I walked it as fast as I could knowing the water stop was halfway up but by the time I was at the top, there was to be no more running for me. My legs were Jello and I really didn't want to break a leg 1/4 mile from my car. I just walked the rest of the way to the car and immediately changed my shirt and drank some water. I was a little nauseous but forced a banana down but otherwise, I felt pretty darn good.

All in all it was 5 miles and my time was 1 hour and 40 minutes. 4 of those were miles running and I'm so proud of myself for that. I have a little over 3 weeks to get ready for the race and to push myself beyond the train station, to the actual finish line, which is still another mile to go.  I would LOVE to finish in under 2 hours - especially as the only friend I know who got in the race will be done in an hour. That's okay he's tall and has a starting time up there with the Nigerians.

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I've still been eating really well and I think what has been working is allowing myself one treat meal followed by one cupcake per week (we just got a cupcake bakery in the 'hood). Treat night is usually Friday and this week, I thoroughly enjoyed my half pimento cheeseburger (see I stopped at half!), three beers AND one cupcake. Somehow it works in my head this way because the rest of the weekend, I knew I already had my treat and had to earn the next weeks. I can think about what I want it to be ALL week if I want to :)

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The hardest thing about this run on Saturday was having to do it again today even though I treated myself to new running shoes. :)  I took Sunday off but vowed I would run every other day until the 4th so I was at it again this morning. The rain made me move it indoors to the gym so it a wonderfully bouncy, EASY 2 miles. I probably would have done a little more but there just wasn't enough time.

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To go along with the longest run ever, this was the longest post ever. If you made it through, thanks and have a great week!!

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like a successful weekend!

    I would love to practice my race route, but it would probably make me more nervous lol

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  2. That's awesome! Sounds like a great weekend all the way around! I swear, anyone that runs and enjoys it is an inspiration to me!

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  3. Longest post ever, greatest post ever!!! Wow Tina - you rocked that run!!! I love how you just set out and nailed it...your confidence in your running ability is THERE, my friend, and rightly so! I'm so proud of you!!!

    Also, nice going with the treat meal - you've got the right attitude and are on such a successful track; it's just a pleasure to watch you bloom!

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  4. I got some new running shoes but mine seem to be defective (they don't want to run very much).

    Way to kick ass on the road and on the diet.

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  5. Ditto what Shelley said - your are one inspirational blogger/runner/dieter etc! So happy for you, and glad you're enjoying your nice long runner's high.

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  6. Great job, Tina!! What a great run, and what an inspiration you are!! Keep it up--you can do it!!

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  7. Congrats! That is not easy to do! You should be very proud of yourself!

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  8. Thought I'd commented about how bad ass you are. Apparently not. I've seen cardiac hill... major, major victory, my friend!

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