Sweet 16!!!

This morning I was set out to run my longest run to date ever. I've mentioned before how I've started running with a running group on Saturday mornings. This has got to have been the best decision ever, running with them that is. I've gotten in some extra long runs that I may not have been able to other wise. Its helped me do a good amount of the training on my own because K isn't able to train with me as much because of her job change. I've also found a few new area's to run in with longer straight stretches and that's so much nicer than the constant turn here, turn here then turn here. Its worked out great and because we were scheduled to run 8 miles today and I needed to run a total of 16 miles. YIKES!!!! K suggested that I park at her house and run the 3.5 almost 4 miles from her house to the school were we meet up and then the 8 miles with them and then 4 miles back to make a total of 16 miles. Ok doesn't sound to bad right.....except for the fact that it means I had to get up a hour earlier than I normally do because I had to meet the group at 7:30. I figure if I started at 6:30 I could get more than the 4 miles in and have less to do on the back end on my way home. It still sounded way to freaking early but you know what I sucked it up and did it. I was a little ok ALOT nervous about running so early in the morning before the sun came up by myself. I tend to freak myself out way to much but you can't help it with all the crazy people in the world now days. I got out of the neighborhood as quickly as I could and on to the main streets (which aren't super busy that early in the morning so that's a bonus) just rounding the 2nd to last long stretch before the school the sun started to come out a little and it was getting brighter out. I started seeing more people out running and it made me feel at ease a little more. I met up with the running group and we headed out right then on our route. I was able to stay up to pace with two other runners and we chatted the whole time at a good pace which helped the time and mileage go by pretty quickly. Once we finally made it back to the school I simply looped around and knew I was on the home stretch back to my car only 4 miles to go and I was good. I ended up having to take a gu pack at mile 12 and a quick sip of water from a water station another running group had set up. (I don't run with water) I was golden for my trip back. I made it all the way with only having two short red light stops. The last mile I was struggling a bit as it was up hill a good amount of the way, my knees were hurting and I wanted to trough in the towel but I sucked it up and did it. I avoided going by my car till I was right at 16.00 miles because I didn't want to be tempted to stop. Although I'm a very determined and strong willed person I wouldn't have given in early still it was tempting. I was so proud of myself and relived that it was over and I had just run my longest run ever, but the disappointing part about it was there was no one to celebrate it with. See the hubbs was home asleep at CQ (24 hour duty) so I dare not call him, K was gone and wasn't getting back to me, I called my brother but he was asleep. My excitement was short lived as I headed home to get cleaned up and then out to the commissary for my month grocery shopping trip. But I'm proud to say I ran 16 that's SIXTEEN miles straight for the very first time ever and I felt great 85% of the time. That's something to be proud about and talk about right!?!?!?!? This next Saturday coming up is my 18 mile run, just adding on those miles, 2 at a time from here on out. I've got exactly 5 weeks to go and that means CRUNCH time. My goal is to get to at least 23-24 miles before my marathon, I'm not going to try and make it all the way to 26, as I want my marathon to be my first 26.2 miles. After Saturday's run I feel as though I CAN run the entire race. Prior over the last 3 weeks or so I've had a game plan to run 6 miles walk .5 miles, run 6 miles walk .5 miles etc, that sounds do able right?!?! But I "think" I can possibly run the whole 26.2, I've said all along I just want to finish strong and proudly but I would be lying if I said I didn't have a goal time to complete the race in because I do. We will see, I still have just over a month of training left and I'm talking full advantage of it!!!

I know you are all probably so board and over my running post, and I'm sorry. I've always wanted to keep track and be able to look back on my life (our life as a couple) and this has been a huge part of my life over the last few years and it will continue to do so as long as I can run. I promise though we have some exciting things coming up our way over the next couple months and I plan to fill you in on all of that as well. I'm still contemplating taking the rest of November off from running after my race but I probably won't. I don't know we will see how I feel. Thank you to each and everyone of you for sticking around and supporting me and following along as I train through the pain, the good and the bad..... for my first half marathon (which was this past March) and now for my first full marathon. 

Your support and encouraging words mean more to me than you will ever know.