Saturday morning I completed my 17.5 mile run, and when I got done I thought, only 8.5 to go to finish that race! Funny how four months ago 8.5 was my long run; now I’m happy that 8.5 is all I have left to do the 26.2!

I ran at 5:20 AM after eating half a bagel with cream cheese. The first half of the run was great. I actually ventured into unchartered territory, turning up a street I don’t normally go. I ran it one other time, during the half marathon that I ran a few years ago, which is part of the full marathon I will be running this time around!
I changed courses this week for several reasons. First, as I mapped out my next few long runs,which will take me up to 21 miles, I realized that if I continued on my regular path I would almost end up at home, then have to turn around and do the entire run over again. i knew how disheartening this ‘could’ be in training-to get so close to home and then have half the run left. When you get up to 15 miles and beyond it is difficult to think this way! I knew I didn’t want to play head games with myself, so I added some miles to part of my run to get out of that danger zone.

Also, the new part of the run has some hills, and I will have these same hills during the marathon. I figured I should start training on those before the big race.

I also started this new path because like with driving, when you run a new course it sometimes feels longer the first time. I didn’t want to get into race day and think that this felt so much longer because it was new. I really believe you should try to run at least part of the course before race day, but that is of course if you live near the course. For me, I knew it might make it more tough if I waited until race day to tackle that part of the training course.

The second part of the run went well too. I did experience my toes going numb, but other than that no big ills. About 14 miles in I felt the need to stop for a minute, so I went to the bathroom even though I didn’t need to go. It gave me a chance to ‘catch my breath’ so to speak. I ate a few crackers after, put on my headphones and finished up the next part of the run feeling much more motivated. As I went into the bathroom I thought oh no, I’m going to hit a wall. As I started running after, I thought wow, I feel great. It’s amazing what a quick pee break can do for the mind on a long run!

i ate a few cheese crackers on this run, and I had two of my gel packs and a bottle of water.

That night  I sat down and though wow, I ran 17 1/2miles! We drove out to Knotts Berry Farm the day after and I said this is really far away and my husband said, “It’s only 12 1/2 miles. You ran farther than that yesterday!” Lol, that kind of put it all in perspective for me.

I’ve found it is easy to lose the idea of how far I am running. Yes, I know I have long runs,and they are long, but sometimes I don’t see how long they are.

17.5 miles is phenomenal. I have to remember that.

I have six weeks left until the marathon,and my long runs are as follows:

-13 next Saturday

- 19.5 the following

-14

-21

-12

-8

RACE DAY!

Seems so close now. I can’t believe it. I have been training for four months. I never thought I’d get this far. I knew I wanted to, but 26.2 seemed unbelievable.

Now it just  seems right.