16 miles!

I did it! Out here running distances I never thought I'd run. It's been a magical experience thus far. Don't get me wrong though, I am in pain at times, sometimes I wish it was over before I even start, but racking up these miles has been pretty awesome. Testing my mind and body and seeing what they will do and how far they will take me. 

I officially crossed the 200 mile mark with this run. Total miles so far 208! This run was only 1 mile longer than last week. I was better prepared with sleep, hydration and fuel, but it didn't feel much different from my last long run. I noticed I started a bit too quickly this time and that came back to bite me later in the run. My overall pace was 10:33 and last week it was 10:28. My slowest mile was mile 15 and my fastest was mile 2. After about 10 or 11 miles I feel my energy and pace declining. My challenge moving forward will be trying to hold an 11 minute mile pace to see how that feels because even though my body tends to gravitate to the mid 10's on these runs it's not a pace I can comfortably keep up for the whole race. Lots of tweaks still need to be made. 

I had my fruit squeeze pack as my fuel and also added in some dried mangoes. My stomach tolerated them so I might try to add some different things to the mix.

I only have 2 more long runs longer that the 16 I had today for my training plan. 18 miles in 2 weeks and then 20 miles in 4 weeks. Then the plan backs off until race day. I'm considering extending the 20 miles to 21 or 22. I was told by a fellow runner that doing so would give me a better feel for the miles on race day.

Time is moving and the race will be here before I know it!

28 more runs to go!