But, I digress.
Oh, except that there was also this direction:
If you are a stickler and you want to get the whole 22 miles in, then run up the hill to Connecticut Ave. But it's up to you. No big difference.22 miles. Hill, no hill. Whatever! (God, I love our coaches!)
Here's today's course:
I ran again with the Other Jen, who started having knee issues, and, like the true, good, and loyal friend that I am, I left her at the base of the Capital building. Sigh. I'm sorry Jen! (In my defense, I did ask if she wanted me to hang with her; and being the good, loyal, and true friend that she is, she said no, go on. Take a lesson, Jeanne.)
There was a lot of confusion on the course. I mean a lot. But I met up with some people who had printouts of the course so I followed them. I feel bad for the poor suckers who didn't have a printout of the course. A lot of people did get lost. I met some folks who said yeah, go this way, it's shorter.
Sigh.
Is it me? Or do people not get that there isn't gonna be a shortcut on Oct. 29??
Sigh.
Anywho, enough bitching. The day was perfect: cool, clear, sunny at the start. Perfect fall day. We could see our breath as we watched the sun come up over the Potomac, where the mist was rising.
I felt good and strong. I ran every hill. Around mile 18 I started tiring (shocker) but I kept going. I managed to turn off that little voice in my head and tried to focus on putting one foot in front of another.
Final time: 4:42. Final miles: 22.29. A 12:39 minute mile.
Which is pretty darn good, because? Three weeks ago I ran 20 miles in 4:40!
So, I'm starting to think that maybe, just maybe, I can actually run this marathon. Don't want to jinx the thing, but it just might be possible.
Now, I have to leave you to go to a wedding. I gotta go get all gussied up. Right down to the flip-flops I'll be wearing on my poor sore feet.
It's a look, people.
35 comments:
That is an outstanding time and although you are (rightfully) bitching about the coaching and the route you are not bitching about your run. Please recognize that for what it is - Golden!
I'm sure you have McMillan'd that time to death so I'll just say - rock on! I think you will have a great marathon.
Excellent, excellent job! I agree, you'll have a great marathon.
Amazing! You must (should) feel so good right now. I am now convinced--you are going to ROCK the MCM.
Oh, don't worry about me. I just curled up in the shrubbery at the foot of Capitol Hill and waited for the squirrels to gnaw my bones.
When the squirrels totally failed to put me out of my misery, I hobbled along in your awesome wake.
You rocked every one of those 22 miles! Me? Mostly, I rolled.
Totally awesome!!!You are absolutlely ready for the marathon.
You are so funny and your coaches are CRAZY! Wasn't it MCM where people DID take a shortcut and get in trouble?
GREAT job on the run today!! You are going to do so great at MCM!!!
That 22 mile course today sure looks a whole lot like the MCM course with a few VA miles cut out. Si?
Hey - you did it, AGAIN. Good that you went to the wedding to keep the joints oiled and operational.
Awesome job. You rock. Happy marathon to you! Go get 'em.
Wow, Jeanne. That's so impressive! You're so impressive! You totally get bragging rights for today's run. :-)
oooh you are so hardcore! This marathon will be wonderful to read about :)
you are so ready for the MCM. and you've got home court advantage!
you are putting in the miles! sounds like you will definetly be ready for the marathon on oct. 29th!
you're doin' your thang!
22.29
wow!
You will *without doubt* be able to run that marathon and run it well! Awesome.
I'm so glad that you didn't take a shortcut. What were those people thinking? And yes, there was a big hullaballoo about a bunch of folks - mostly Team in Training or other charity runners - who took a shortcut in past MCM's. Booooo.
You're going to do well in the marathon. And you'll go faster than 12:39/mile.
Good result! That's a great improvement. How nuts about the shortcut - those people definitely don't get the whole training thing!
Tremendous! Way to go, Jeanne. You are certainly improving and I'm sure will run strong at the marathon.
22 is the same as 26. If it is for you, I will want to hurt you. Badly cuz it sure has never been the same for me. ;-)
That said, you just need to prepare yourself and keep on going just like you did up all them hills.
You'll rock. :D
You. Ran. 22. Miles. WOW! You're doing so well ... can't wait to hear all about the marathon when it's over and done!
Way to go girl!!!!!!
Awesome job! You are going to be great on Oct 29th!
Way to go, Jeanne! Your coaches sound like total morons, but at least you're able to find the humor in it. : )
I'm so excited to hear about your taper and finally get your race report in a few short weeks. You are going to rock this thing!
Awesome job on the 22. You're so ready for this.
p.s. just wanted to let you know that one of my marathon miles was dedicated to you and the few other dedicated readers of my blog. your encouraging words meant a lot to me. i was totally thinking of you yesterday! thanks for the support.
Yay! Good for you! From the looks of the map, I'd say you're getting some really good practice runs in.
AWESOME run!
And honestly? 22 miles really IS the same as 26.2. On race day, once you get there, the adrenaline will TOTALLY take you in. :)
Nice job with the 22 miler. it's best to blindly believe what your coach tells you. You can call him a lier after the marathon!
Hot damn! Nice job, speedy!!!!
Way to go, sistah!!!
Pretty darn good??? I'd say your time was AWESOME!!!
GO GET EM!!!!
I'm a first time marathoner, and definitely not a "runner". Reading your post totally made me realize that I am not the only one out there that is definitely NOT a runner! Thanks for giving me some hope! I ran (well was supposed to run) 18 miles in Boone, NC - yes, this is the in the middle of the Appalachian MOUNTAINS!! - this past weekend and at mile 16, I really just wanted to cry. Not only was my hip injury flaring up, but I had missed the home cooked breakfast at the Bed and Breakfast my boyfriend and I were staying at, I was missing the tailgate parties before our Homecoming game at Appalachian State, and all for what? a crappy run?!? GRR!
Needless to say, I chose to prevent any further injury and stop at 16 mi., but all day Sunday I just kept thinking, I could have gone 2 more miles, what is wrong w/ me?!
Hopefully I will be able to make it up this weekend, when I try and run 20 w/ the DC Road Runners. Yikes!
Good luck w/ the Marine Corp! And thanks for the encouragement!
Congrats! That is encouraging for me. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up. You're almost there.
Awesome!!
I can assure you, if you can run 22 miles in training, you can run 26 miles in a race. The adrenaline alone will get you through.
You are ready for an ultramarathon not for only a marathon! Very very good job!
You can and you will do awesome on race day!
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