18 Miles Then The Farm...Phew!

This week was my 18 mile long run week, which I have been nervous about since I first started training for this marathon.  I was a little worried about doing it since last week I had such a hard time with the 12 miles.  I got lucky again with the weather being a perfect, beautiful fall day with temperatures in the 60's.  We went to Dick's on Friday and bought some gel inserts for my heel since it has been a little bit sore since after the 16 mile run I did a couple of weeks ago.  While we were there I got some gel energy/electrolyte packets that I figured would be easier to carry and eat on my run.  I was all prepared and ready to run.  This time I knew from the get go that I could do it.  I did have my coffee so maybe that helped, even if only mentally!

I decided to do the Hilly Hills run again just because I don't have to drive anywhere to do it.  Weird how I am too lazy to drive somewhere to run, but will do the stupid Hilly Hills run for 18 miles.  This run really is beautiful though, I'll give it that... and I think I'll be glad that I trained here come marathon time.  I had a great run just enjoying the day and time outside.  Dom and the kids met me toward the end of my run to refill my Gatorade and bring some Ibuprofen, but Dom forgot the Ibuprofen part (this came back to haunt me in the last two miles, but at the time I just said "Oh, that's okay").  I think the gel energy/electrolyte thing helped me a lot, but was really GROSS.

I ended up meeting them at the Agway in town where they stayed to paint pumpkins.  I was bummed that I missed doing that, but glad that they got some fun time with just Daddy.  That was at about mile 13.  I ran the 3ish miles back to the house then added on the lake run to make an even 18 miles.  I will tell you that I was in pain.  It's always my feet that go first, although that gel thing really helped my heel because it didn't hurt at all. This is the first run that I thought I might not be able to finish.  It was hard, and even though I really don't want to hurt myself, I wanted to do this and aside from my feet, I felt okay.  I haven't had to walk at all yet, so I figure I still have that up my sleeve come marathon time.  I did it and it felt great to be able to cross it off on my training schedule.

Afterward I stretched like crazy, took some Ibuprofen, and showered.  It's amazing how much better I feel after a shower.  I relaxed a bit then Pepere and Oma (my dad and step-mom) along with my brother, Miles, came over to visit.  We were talking about what to do and I mentioned going to the farm to see the animals, and of course Constantine heard and went crazy wanting to go..so we did.  We had a great time at this farm outside Hillsborough that allows you to walk around and check out their cows, goats, emus, llamas, and different birds.  It's a great place and the kids love it.  We even got to take home some peacock feathers.


Now I am trying to plan out my training schedule around our weekend away, which is fast approaching.  We are going to Mass for a wedding on the same weekend as our five year anniversary.  We figured we'd just go as a couple and have grandparents watch the kids (Ahh...I know everything will be FINE, but we never leave them!).  That is the same weekend as my 20 mile training run, so I think I'm going to do it earlier in the week so I won't be sore and tired for our nice weekend.  Two things I am especially excited for:  Getting some really good sleep, and getting dressed up and actually feeling pretty.  Fun, fun!