20 Mile Training Run 3 of 5

Having worked all my hours for the week by Thursday afternoon, I took Friday to get my long run done for the week.  On the schedule this week, yet another 20 miler.  This time the pace was marathon pace plus 30 seconds - 8:19 pace.  I got up at the same time as Dave, 6:30am, and was out the door by 7:30.  I thought the heat wouldn't be bad yet but I was wrong.  I was barely a mile into my run and it was HOT and humid already.  I did a small loop of the neighborhood and headed home to drop off the shirt and just run in a sports bra.  I rarely do this, but desperate times require desperate measures.  :)  A quick reply of sunscreen and I was out the door again.


Because it took me forever (11-1/2 miles) in my last 18 miler to reach the pace, I decided to start out a little quicker in this run and hold on for dear life.  Things actually went pretty well.  I reached a sub-8:30 around 7.5 miles and by 11 miles I was already hanging out at a 8:24.  Pace seemed to be going well today, but it was the heat, well more like the humidity, that was kicking my butt.  By 10 miles into the run I could wring out my shorts.  That was about the time the sun decided to come out and make everything even worse.  I could feel the heat coming off the pavement and the breeze felt like a furnace fan.  Around 13 miles in, I needed a break.  I decided to take in more water and stop at each mile for a water break.  I was really suffering in the heat.  It felt like my insides were cooking.  Despite all that, the pace was falling and I was hanging out right where I was supposed to be at a 8:19 with four miles to go.  Here, I got tough and slogged through a few more miles.  With one mile to go, I didn't think I could get any hotter.  I stopped at the drinking fountain, filled both my water bottles (10 ounces each) and poured them directly over my head.  It was refreshing for a moment and then it was time to get the last mile done.

20 miles - 2:45:XX, 8:17 pace.

Two more 20 milers to go...