20 Miles....No Problem!!!!!

I am still stoked from my run this a.m...and am sooooo proud of myself! I never in a million years thought I could do as well as I did. Well, I did have my running friend, Mike, to help me along the way! :)

Got to bed early last night after setting out my running gear and packing an extra bag of clothes. Did my little soy protien/milk shake routine...before I hoped in the hay. Woke up at 6 a.m. for some breakfast along with a big glass of water and back to bed. Got up at 7ish, showered (I know, why?) and headed out... Halfway there I realized I didn't have any gum! Tragedy! Stopped at a gas station and got some gum...Extra Peppermint. Popped three pieces in my mouth and back on the road...I was running a bit behind. Big surprise there! ;)

Once there, I grabbed my bib number and headed to the porta potties. Had to go...another big surprise... Met a really nice younger couple doing their first marathon while I was in line waiting. On my way down the hill, the gun went off and the runners started, so I jogged over and started my 20 mile journey.

About a mile in, I see this guy in front of me a little ways up with a water bottle pack on his back. I was hoping it was Mike...he said he was gonna be there. And I wasn't running with anyone. Sure enough, it was him!

So from about mile one or two until mile thirteen, I think, he got to hear all about Sue...blah, blah, blah...I don't think I stopped jibber jabbering the whole time! Another big surprise, I know... ;P In all honesty, I don't think I could have kept up my pace without talking to someone or running with someone for that long. He was definitely motivating me to keep the pace up.

Eventually one of us was going to have to make a pit stop...and at that point we parted ways. Two miles later, must have been a mental thing, I stopped at the next rest area. When I came out...low and behold...Mike was running by. I felt really good, so he said to go ahead and run while I had some steam, so off I went.

The last five miles were killer. I chatted with a few folks passing by. Waved at the man, from the couple I chatted with before the run, a couple times.

Finally...the last two miles!!! I was thrilled and tried to keep my pace up. A few younger (ha!) folks passed me by....but I passed a couple people, so it wasn't all bad!

Around the last bend...and I see (sorta because I didn't have my glasses on) the time clock. I pick it up a bit....

I finished in 3:07:35 - at a 9:23/m pace!!!!

I was hoping for 3:20:00 or at worst 3:30:00...I finished much quicker than I anticipated and was stoked!!!!!

I ran over grabbed a banana and some water....and watched for Mike. I cheered him on as he finished. A little chit chat and he left and shortly after and then so did I.

I called at least four people on my way home...voicemail! I finally got Paul. He was golfing with his buddies. I wish he could have been there at the end...that would have been the icing on the cake. Guess I won't be seeing him, though, until Monday...ah well...

I have been bouncing around ever since the run. Okay, maybe not bouncing because I'm getting a little sore and the muscle tightness is starting to set in! But I was actually dancing around the house to the radio while cooking up some dinner before sitting down to write this. And I did run my errands after a 20 minute shower. So I guess I had a little more in me...

Most importantly, now that I have the 20 out of the way... I KNOW I can do the 26.2.

And now I have a new goal...9 minute miles!!!! I'm gonna join the 9 minute pace group at the start of the marathon and see how I do. I'm gonna give it my all. You know my mantra - I know I can, I know I can, I know I can!!!!!!!

I'm smiling from ear to ear right now! I am just so proud.

20 Miles....no problem.... Who'd have thunk????