First of all… running 15 miles is crazy.  But that’s exactly what I did this weekend.

I woke up on Saturday morning to a forecast for sun but the reality was fog. My husband and I milled around getting things ready.  We had the plan that he would drive me out to a starting point on the Burke-Gillman trail and drop me off so I could run a point-to-point run. (Mostly this was self-inflicted so I’d be forced to run the whole 15 miles and not be tempted to cheat by turning around early).  His plan was to run an out and back route after parking the car. We figured with the difference in our paces, we might just meet at the halfway point.

Standing in the kitchen making coffee my husband said, “um,  you realize I’m stalling… “  to which I replied… ” well I was just thinking we better leave before I loose my nerve.”

By the time we reached the drop off point in Kenmore the sun was shining beautifully.  Jim dropped me off with a “good luck ” and a kiss — and I started my run.  (Was I really doing this?)  “Don’t think,” I said to myself, “just run.”

On such a beautiful day the cyclists outnumbered the runners and walkers and I secretly wished I was on a bike!   A nice gentleman said good morning to me as he passed.  I’m sure he was in his 50’s, maybe even 60’s.  His vest said, “Marathon Maniacs” on the back.  Yes… you do need to be a maniac to run a marathon I’m learning!

I felt really great on this run. Just like last weekend, I tried to minimize my walking. I was using the Runkeeper app on my phone and I listened intently every time “she” (the robotic voice) said the distance and my pace.  “Distance-four-point-five-miles, average pace, twelve-minutes-twenty-seconds… per mile.”

Around 5 miles a guy in a Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens shirt blew by me. (I recognized the shirt because I have one.)  That was the year it was 95 freaking degrees! (Not a common occurrence in Seattle.)  When he turned around and ran past me going the other way…  I got a little nod. I was wearing my Chelanman shirt. It was a little triathlon moment.

At 7 miles I started to anticipate seeing my husband.  And then at almost 8 miles, I could see his green shirt coming towards me in the distance. Wow that made me happy!  I crossed over to his side of the trail and gave him a big sweaty hug.   He was right in his estimation — we met about a half-mile off of our halfway points.  I love that he’s training with me… because I honestly know that he’s doing it for me. Otherwise, I know he has no real interest in training for a marathon!

Just keep running…

I always feel pretty good at mile 9. I call it my glory mile.  (Probably because I think it is glorious that I’m still running!) But on this run I’m thinking about how I have 6 more to go!!  I want to walk more, but I don’t want my minute-per-mile average to go too much over 13.  (Why did I stop to give that girl directions!?)

The last three miles of the run were pretty painful. I was mostly trying to convince myself that I didn’t need to go to the bathroom. (Which wasn’t working… at all.)

Then, there it is…  the end of my run.  I can see our car and the doors are open. My husband is there waiting for me.

15 miles.  15.19 to be exact. My longest run ever.

LESSONS LEARNED? 

• Always wear your running tights. Compression is your friend.
• Gatorade on top of Gu is too much sugar. Drink more water.
• Something is going to chafe running 15 miles.  No doubt about it.
• Get the Kanye West off your running playlist. He just ends up annoying you.   By the same token, a well timed Eminem song can push you through a mile you don’t want to run.
• Always be thankful for your body. At 43 years of age it can swim, bike, and run. And that is quite a gift.

Onward to next week… 16 miles!!