After last week’s disastrous 10 miler, I was anxious about my upcoming 15 miler all week. Also, I wanted to do the run this morning before work because this weekend I am going camping in the Shenandoah Valley.
I decided I had to really focus on getting enough fuel and carbs the day before.
Last night we had some friends over for dinner and we made homemade pizzas. We bought store-made dough: one white, one whole wheat. The first pizza had tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, turkey pepperoni and mushrooms on half.
The second pizza (the one on whole wheat) had pesto, goat cheese, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes. This combination is AMAZING. We also brushed a little olive oil on the crust of each.
With a belly full of pizza, I hit the hay around 10:30-11 and woke up at 4:30 am. I had laid my clothes out the night before. I had an Arnold Sandwich thin with almond butter and half a banana. I started my run around 5 am with my Camelbak on, and it was still pitch black out. (I plan on writing a post about running safely in the dark in a city next week.)
One way to tackle long runs mentally is to break them up into shorter distances. This run was a large loop, but I was never on a single road for more than 3 miles, and most of the time for 2 miles. I focused on getting through each 2 mile segment rather than the whole 15 miles.
I only took one walking break! This was to eat my jelly beans halfway through the run. Full disclosure: I happily took that break on a very steep uphill. I should also note that I get plenty of standing breaks waiting at city lights.
By mile 12-13 I started to feel that runner’s high. I was singing along to my music and so happy to be out there running. I finished 15 miles at an average 9:10 min/mile pace!
Our office is closing at 12, so I’m off to get a few hours of solid work in and then come home and get ready to go camping. I spent sometime with the foam roller after my run, so hopefully my legs will be ready for some hiking. Do you have any plans for the long weekend?
I am not a runner, but I like how you broke down your run so mentally it didn’t seem as far – way to rock it out!
OMG, love pizza, in fact I make it every Friday night. I make a no rise dough that’s ready to roll out in less than 5 minutes:
http://mybizzykitchen.com/2008/09/06/i-love-pizza-and-tacos-and-spaghetti-and-stir-fry-and-hamburgers/
Hope you try it – I saw your comment on Beth’s blog and saw that you liked pizza
Less than 5 minutes?? Sold. I have made dough one time before but it didn’t work out well. Thanks for sending that!
Wow awesome job on the 15 miles! I am sooo impressed you did that before work. I can barely manage to get 4 in if I do a morning run.
NO PLANS for the weekend. i could not be more excited. I’m up for hanging out Monday or really any day next week. Let me know!
faaaanfreakingtastic run!! so glad to hear you finished so strong! have a great weekend camping – i’m off to miami!
That is so awesome! Only 11 to add onto that
And you ran 15 miles on a Friday morning before work! That is pretty awesome too.
I am in Florida for the long weekend. I think I need a Garmin tutorial from you one day via gchat maybe. Have fun hiking, but rest your legs too!
WTG Liz! Enjoy your weekend camping! We are making homemade pizza for dinner tonight, but your crust looks way more exciting!
Have a great time camping. What a fun weekend activity! I’m hanging around DC with friends and then heading to Dallas on Sunday which I’m quite excited for. I’m also beyond excited for the 1st Longhorn game of the season!
Congratulations on your fifteen miler
And have fun camping. I’m going camping next weekend (hopefully it’s not too hot). I’m hanging in DC this weekend with some good friends.
Congratulations! That’s so impressive that you did that before work. After seeing your pizza I just had to eat some myself last night. But I ordered mine
It’s been a long week.
glad to see you back on your blog
I missed your posts!
congrats on your run! it’s always so funny to hear people talk about carb-loading. for me, that’s like every day. :p
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