My last long run in my training schedule…

To say I was nervous about this run is a complete understatement.

I fell asleep last night at around 11:30, a fairly early bedtime considering most nights I go to bed at around 2. But because I had to wake up at 5, an early bedtime was warranted! I didn’t sleep well. Sleep was restless, and I ended up waking up at around 4, 1 hour too early. I forced myself to get more sleep and managed maybe a good 45 minutes before I finally got up.

When I stepped out of the house, it was raining like crazy. I quickly stepped back in and considered postponing the run until tomorrow. But what good would that really do? It would cut my taper yet another day and I don’t think I’d physically be more ready to run it than I felt at that very moment. Besides, there were no forecasts for rain in Newport Beach. So, I decided to just go for it.

When I stepped out the second time, it had stopped raining. I took that as a good sign. I ended up getting to the beach at around 6:30. I did some light stretching. And I was off running by 6:45.

12 miles is a really long distance (at least for me). So, I tried to break up the run into smaller segments… better for my brain to handle what it has to do =) I ended up breaking things down in small 3 mile segments (1 way down the beach boardwalk), and then into larger 6 mile segments (the full round trip up and down the boardwalk, back to my car). This really seemed to help a lot.

The first 3 miles went off without a hitch. I struggled with my pace a bit, but my body seemed to be easing into things pretty well. The next 3 miles back to my car were even better. I was excited to hit the half way point and as I made my way back to my car for a quick handheld refill, I thought to myself… only another hour or so of running left. You can do it!

Only an hour haha =)

The next trip back down the boardwalk was fine. It wasn’t until I hit the 10th mile that my legs started to feel very… very tired and achey. But I pushed on the best I could. I really wanted to hit my goal time (2:18:00) or at least very close to it. I pushed until there was nothing left in me.

My splits. Not as pretty as my 8 miler last week, but I’ll take it =)

Split 1: 11:41
Split 2: 11:38
Split 3: 11:35
Split 4: 11:35
Split 5: 11:26
Split 6: 11:36
Split 7: 11:28
Split 8: 11:28
Split 9: 11:46
Split 10: 11:45
Split 11: 12:03
Split 12: 11:37

Total Time: 2:19:44
Average Pace: 11:39 (YES!)
Calories Burned: 1433
Shoes: Asics Nimbus

I didn’t hit my target goal time. I ended up missing it by 1:44. But I don’t think it’s too bad. Hopefully, by the time LB comes around, I’ll be able to make up those extra 9 seconds with all the rest my legs will be getting from the taper =)

As I drove home, I got a little sentimental thinking about how this part of my training is over. I remember starting this back in March, looking at the schedule I just completed, and wondering if I would be able to do it. Coming from a 15 min pace and going down to an 11 min pace seemed like a tough goal. But somehow, I guess with both luck and discipline, I was able to get there =) It’s been a welcome surprise.

At the end of October, I’ll be starting my first official marathon training schedule. I’m both excited and nervous! Half marathon training has become so predictable and comfortable. This new training schedule scares me a bit, especially with the higher weekly mileage.

I’m curious to see what surprises lie ahead of me with this new challenge =)