Jared took care of dinner last night while I tried to power through a book review that’s due NOW.
I’m glad he made lots of pasta with broccoli and chicken. I wanted my carbs and protein for the long run I had planned in the morning.
I got up and gobbled down a bowl of cereal, packed my stuff and packed the dog, and drove straight to Becky’s house.
Becky and I had planned to do a 12 mile run as our last long run for our Half Marathon training. I sat with an ice pack under my leg so I could numb my butt/hamstring before pounding the pavement.
We planned an out and back course. Wow, it was HILLY! I’m not talking big mountains and Heartbreak Hill. But the entire run felt like it was a gradual uphill climb. My legs were working so hard the entire time! Plus we encountered every type of weather imaginable: hot and sunny, overcast and cool, dreary and drizzling. Crazy!
Total Distance: 11.64 m
- Mile 1 – 8:40/mi
- Mile 2 – 9:30/mi
- Mile 3 – 9:16/mi
- Mile 4 – 9:18/mi
- Mile 5 – 9:16/mi
- Mile 6 – 9:46/mi
- Mile 7 – 9:28/mi
- Mile 8 – 9:25/mi
- Mile 9 – 9:24/mi
- Mile 10 – 9:24/mi
- Mile 11 – 9:44/mi
- 0.64 m – 9:50/mi
Average Pace: 9:24/mi
Total Time: 1:49:32
I was the one who had to cut the run short. Didn’t quite reach our 12 mile goal. 
I didn’t eat or drink enough before this run so by mile 6 I was starving. I rationed a packet of sport beans during the rest of the run, but that didn’t do very much. I kept telling Becky all of the foods and drinks I wanted as soon as we got back to her house.
About 3/4 of the way through the run, my legs tightened up. I felt like I was running on tree trunks. They were SO tight and stiff. I was really uncomfortable, but after examining the Garmin stats, I didn’t let it slow me down too much. It was a good training run and a good run to remind me of the hard work ahead when the Marathon Training really begins. I love challenges and this is going to be a huge one to tackle.
Becky: Thank you for encouraging me today! It was a great training run for 13.1 on May 2nd and a taste of things to come as we prep for the main event in October.
As soon as I got back to Becky’s, I drank some water, ate a Clementine, and then ate a slice of toast with Barney Butter and jam. After stretching and foam rolling, I finally began to feel better.
Looking ever so sexy in my recovery socks!
I grabbed a container of Pomegranate Chobani with a sliced banana and made my way to my parents’ room. I set up shop in their comfy bed and got some work/reading accomplished. I also took a much needed nap! 
COMMENTS
13 Comments
1. sophia
April 20th, 2010 03:43 PM
Yay! Congrats on your awesome training, and for pushing through it.
Curious question : Do you ever think about food WHILE running? Or just concentrate on running?
2. Shannon
April 20th, 2010 04:35 PM
Congratulations on the run! I always feel like its an even bigger accomplishment when I finish a run that was really hard.
3. Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
April 20th, 2010 04:43 PM
What an awesome run and I love the recovery socks…I sport mine like nobody’s business! haha!
4. Kelly
April 20th, 2010 06:23 PM
Congrats on the run, even if it wasn’t a great one…at least you pushed through it and you’ll be awesome in the half marathon (make sure to eat more before..or bring more food haha).
5. Becky
April 20th, 2010 06:42 PM
Great run, Melissa! Big challenges ahead…we must stick together!
6. Jenna
April 20th, 2010 07:12 PM
So jealous that you can run! Looking adorable with the high socks
7. Kim
April 20th, 2010 07:38 PM
Half marathons are always easier with soooo many other runners around you. You might need to put on your ipod and just run to the music instead of talking food. Good luck
8. Best jogging stroller?
April 21st, 2010 12:52 AM
[...] Crunches for Cupcakes » Tree Trunk Legs [...]
9. MelissaNibbles
April 21st, 2010 02:57 AM
Good job girl! I love my compression socks. I wear them to work under pants and no one knows! Good luck!
10. Angela @ A Healthy Fit
April 21st, 2010 05:55 AM
Do those recovery socks really work??? I’ve always wondered.
11. Melinda
April 21st, 2010 08:47 AM
Glad he had dinner taken care of so you could do what you needed to do.
12. Helen
April 21st, 2010 01:43 PM
You have great legs! Those socks are awesome for them!!
13. Crunches for Cupcakes » Oops
April 30th, 2010 08:02 AM
[...] a healthy lifestyle, exercise has been absent from my life for the past week. I had a tough training run last week in preparation for this weekend’s Half Marathon. I also have plans to run a full Marathon [...]