Doing the Double-Digit-Dance!

I finished my first Double Digit Run!! :) 


Sunday's Facebook Status Update: 11 miles, 2:30 (didn't wear the Garmin, wasn't truly timing this one). Hardest, slowest, wettest (hello rain & squishy shoes!), and longest (physically & mentally) run yet. Fast? No way. Fun? Absolutely NOT. Finished? You bet your a$$!

That is probably the best summary I can give you of my LR Sunday.

 My view for 11 miles. 

Notice the rain clouds??

Here's how it went down: I was supposed to do a 10-miler 2 weeks ago, then I got side-tracked with all these health issues. So I was finally cleared to 'cautiously' start running again. Long story short, my last LR was 9 miles, that was 3 weeks ago (and when all my bad symptoms started), and I've only run 1 mile since then. So what's the smart thing to do?? Jump right back in at 10 miles, then decide half-way through to make up for a lost week and push for that 1 extra mile to hit 11.  Ha!

First of all, 11 miles is REALLY far to me. Ok, it's REALLY far to most everyone in the world not insane enough to try to run it. Second, not having run in 3 weeks can really beat you down. 


I walked, a lot. And I'm ok with that because I knew I'd feel a little weaker from my heart issues. I was very good, slowing down when I got dizzy, keeping very hydrated (poor Hubster had to bike back to the trail head to refill my water bottle 2 times....such a good guy). The first 3 miles were really rough this time around, but then I got a second wind after my first lap (it's a 3 mile course) and felt great for miles 3-6. Then I started feeling it pretty bad again from 7-8. And then.....DOWNPOUR! I had my first run through a rainstorm monsoon. It felt amazing. However....wet shoes are not fun to run in for 3 miles! So 8-11 I was dragging my heavy-arse shoes along 'squish squish squish squish' and my clothes were absolutely STUCK to my body! But man, it felt great to cool off in that rain. I felt so bad-ass! lol

 Me, testing out my Wine & Dine gear,

about 5 minutes before the rain let loose on me!

At the very end, about 10.5 miles in, my right leg cramped up from my butt to my ankle. It hasn't bothered me since Sunday, so I'm thinking it was just exhaustion, cause believe me....I left everything I had out on that trail. I was pretty darn sore most of Sunday & Monday, and have a little lead-leg going on today, but other than that I don't think I'm too bad off for jumping back in the deep end from my 3 week hiatus. 


Next week is my 12 miler, and last 'building run' until the 1/2 mary. I then go down to 9 miles, then 6 miles, then the 1/2 mary! (I'm trying not to call it a 'race', cause at this point it's a miracle for me to even finish it!)


I also found a new stride (I know I know...don't change things right before a big event, but I swear it came natural and it helped!) that I can't wait to try on my short runs this week. I'll tell you more details later in the week. :) (Hint - I picked it up after reading a RW article)