March 4 "Whats in your drawers" Boston Marathon 2012

"Cause you just never know what you might find in your drawers until you look"

Yesterday was such a busy day filled with work and workouts that I did not have an opportunity to run to the Apple store and purchase a new iPod.  Not good as I had an 18 mile run coming up and I wanted some tunes to push me through the long miles.  So, as I was sitting at my desk, I opened one of the drawers and  peaked in to see what I could find.   And there, buried under lots of computer cords, some camera batteries, CF cards and a canister of tictacs was my iPod shuffle.  I plugged it in to my computer and figured that I would chance the selections that were on there.  I think I bought this about three or four years ago, so I really did not have any idea as to what was going to be piped through my ears.  This should be interesting.

Today's run was 18 miles so I wanted to be sure to get it in early so I had time to spend with my family during the day.  The alarm went off at 3:50 a.m.  I did all my prep work (fuel belt, laid the clothes out, got my shoes ready) the night before so when I got up, it was just going to be a quick change, a bite to eat and I would be on my way.  My goal was to be on the road at 4:20 a.m.  Started my first mile at 4:21.   Not too bad.  The temperature was a cool 30 degrees but luckily, no wind.  I ran without my fuel belt for the first 7 miles and picked it up on my way out for the second part of my run.  When I run this early I usually do not run on the path alone, so I figured I would run the first 7 miles on the streets and then catch up with Amy at the gazebo.  Amy had run 18 miles yesterday and was going to do four with me this morning.  It was great to have some company in the middle section of the route.  I really appreciated having an opportunity to run with her.  It also was fun catching up with what our kids are doing and hearing about the races that her husband is pacing for Cliff Bar.  So cool that he does that.  I'm happy for them.  

So far all my miles up to this point were on base, and I was feeling good. By the time Amy had headed home, I was working on mile 12.  The sky was beginning to brighten up which was a good thing and made me feel more comfortable running on the path. Up to this point, I hand't refueled or drank anything.  My legs just kept moving and I felt too good to try and mess with gu.  Last week at the half marathon, I gued before the race and took one sip of water at mile 6.  Other than that, I ran without.  Felt too good to stop my pace.  That was the same way I was feeling today.  However, today no matter what,  I was planning on grabbing some water and gatorade around mile 14.  18 miles was way too far to rob the body of what it needed.  So  when I hit that marker, I grabbed some replacement fluids and kept moving towards the next mile.  I was tackling the last of them one mile one at a time.  Heading back East, I couldn't help but wonder if I was going to meet up with the ERC.  They usually gather at the gazebo close to 7 and it was coming up on that time.  Sure enough I ran over the bridge and within a half mile, I could see a group of good looking, thin  people talking and having a good time.  Now, thats the group I am familiar with.  Saw John, John T., Alex, Mark, Laurie and a host of other runners.  I took a quick break to say hello and then we parted ways.  Most of them did their hard run yesterday as they are getting ready to run the Cary half marathon in a couple of weeks.  So, they were doing 7 and I was on my final lap.  I always call the last mile of my long runs, "The Victory Lap".  Its kind of like a way for me to celebrate and say, you are almost there.  

Well, my iPod did not disappoint.  I listened to it for all the miles except when I was running with Amy.  The music selection was interesting, it had songs like, "Bad To The Bone", some Neil Diamond songs, lots of Bon Jovi tunes and then, as I was running down the final block and up to my house; "MmmBop" by Hanson. I love that song and it was an awesome way to finish my run.  

Snowflakes blowing, my fist pumping in the air and that was it.  18 miles was over.  Put a fork in it. It's done baby!!!

Celebrated my run by taking my dog for a 2 mile walk.  

Boston Marathon is 7 weeks away.  Happy Training Everyone.    Life is good!

18 miles in the books.

Me and my dog "Beans".

Planned Workout:   18 miles    EZ pace 9-9:10 per mile.

Completed Workout:   18.15 miles   9:05 pace

Nike Challenge -- Run the Earth

Started in 2587th place.

Moved up 58 spots.

Now sitting in 2529th place.