16 Miles! Longest Training Run EVER!

Weather: 60 degrees, overcast, and cool. There was a stiff W breeze throughout the run. I created a loop route on Google maps and decided to follow that. Incorporated a half marathon time trial (which I finished in 2:13:53!), thanks to some new friends on The Loop at runnersworld.com. Overall I finished the 16 miles in 2:45:13! I got up at 5:15am on Saturday, and was out the door by 5:30am. Here are some highlights...

Mile 1: I saw a baby fox! Right by Lake Arlington... he was so cute!

Mile 2: I think Garmin hates mornings as much as I do. He had my first mile at 10:40, yuck! I know I'm going faster than that. I hope he snaps out of it soon!

Mile 3: Ahhh that's more like it! Garmin is back on track. There aren't a whole lot of cars out at this hour, and the ones that are keep staring at me like I'm insane. Which I am. Not denying that one!

Mile 4: I like this route because it's quiet, and the neighborhood is just waking up. But I DO NOT like the cars that block the sidewalk! I swear I've added .10 to my total just for running around cars.

Mile 5: Easy easy. This is kind of fun! But I'm sure glad I brought my ipod... I'd be ridiculously bored right now without it. Ooh, shackers! HAHA

Mile 6: Park time! The sun is trying to peek through the clouds, but so far to no avail. And time for a snack, which tastes SO GOOD right now.

Mile 7: I really hope there's sidewalks on my new route...

Mile 8: I'm halfway done, and the library isn't even open yet. Hardly anything is open. Sweet :)

Mile 9: I don't think my tummy feels ok. Wait... tiny sips of water... all better.

Mile 10: I just finished 10?! Wow... that felt like nothing. How awesome is that?!

Mile 11: Going a little too fast right now. I'm struggling to figure out my pace. Either my Garmin or my legs are all over the place. Probably a little bit of both.

Mile 12: Got to the pavilion, refilled the water bottle, and wolfed down 2 snacks. God I hope my stomach settles down.

Mile 13: Getting a lot of curious stares from passers-by. Might be because I'm full-out sprinting because it's the end of my "half marathon" time trial. Might be because I have salt running down my arms and legs. Either way.

Mile 14: My stomach made the yucky noise. The "Bathroom. NOW!!!!!" noise. I made a deal with it- give me 25 more minutes, and I'll get you home safely. Also added a plea for no embarassing situations on the way home, since I have to cross 2 busy intersections. Thank you.

Mile 15: Holding up well. I'm still running under my goal pace, which is awesome. But my old nemesis Doubt came for a visit, and tried to tell me that I will fail at the marathon. Shut up, Doubt!

Mile 16: Less than a mile from home. My tummy welched on our deal. I am running down the bike path and whimpering aloud because it hurts so bad. I have to stop and walk, just because an accident is not outside the realm of possibility at this point. Thankfully, after crossing Schoenbeck and doing a couple of laps around the subdivision, I make it back in time.

2:45:13! Not too shabby! I figure that I could have gone to about 2:42 if my stomach wasn't doing somersaults. Add 105 minutes to that for the last 10 miles, and that's.... a 4:27 marathon?! Holy cow!