Previous long run recaps:
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I ran 17 miles this morning!!!!!!! That’s a new PDR (personal distance record) for me.
Also, those will be the last !!!!!!!!!! as, to quote my training partner Lisa, this was a craptastic run.
Let’s backtrack to last night.
I made some zucchini pasta for carb-loading.
And then settled in to watch this movie.
I ordered it online a couple of weeks ago and figured that the night before I run my longest distance yet would be the perfect time to watch it.
“When you cross the finish line, it will change your life forever.” – Ahhh, what an inspiring movie! Totally psyched me up to run!
I also snacked on some Farmers Market kettle corn and a piece of dark chocolate while watching. And then had another bowl of kettle corn. OK, OK, another 1.5 bowls.
I was crawling into bed at 9:15 PM with my book and turning off the lights by 9:30 PM as I had a 4:45 AM alarm to answer to!
I then proceeded to toss and turn all night long. When the alarm went off, I felt like I’d barely slept. I ate the same breakfast as last week only with bananas on the toast this time. I had planned on starting my run by 5:30-5:45 but got caught up doing something on the computer and didn’t head out until 6. I must stop turning my laptop on because it sucks me in and makes me late all the time in the mornings!
The sun was just coming up when I finally started running at 6.
I was going to do the same loop I’d done for my 14 and 15 mile run, only this time I was going to do an out-and-back through a residential area first to tack on some more miles. The loop is only 9 miles.
The residential area ended up being a lot more hilly than it seems when I drive it. That might have been my first mistake, doing the first 8 miles on rolling hills.
Miles 1-8
Mile 1 – 10:56
Mile 2 – 10:35
Mile 3 – 10:36
Mile 4 – 10:38
Mile 5 – 10:28 (I took a GU here)
Mile 6 – 10:47
Mile 7 – 10:13
Mile 8 – 10:36
Now, I was actually pretty happy with these splits as I was aiming for a 10:20-10:30 pace overall. I figured I would pick it up the second half like I’ve been doing in previous runs and negative split.
Ya, that so didn’t happen.
At Mile 8, I hit Bridge #1 of the “Three Bridges Loop”. It’s called this because you cross three bridges and run a loop around the river.
Running across this bridge is right around the point where my right arch started to hurt. No idea why. It’s never bothered me before. I wasn’t wearing new shoes. I think my body just likes to throw me for loops once in awhile. My shin finally feels 100% so now my arch on the opposite leg will start to bother me. Lovely
Here’s where I started to slow down.
Mile 9 – 10:33
Mile 10 – 11:13 (Took my 2nd GU here)
Mile 11 – 11:15
Then I reached Bridge #2.
After this bridge I thought it would be smooth sailing. I was on a flat, shaded path that I run on often and really liked. But somewhere around Mile 15 I felt like I hit a wall.
Mile 12 – 10:56
Mile 13 – 10:25 (Took 1/2 a GU here)
Mile 14 – 10:21
I forgot to take a picture of Bridge #3. I was so exhausted by the time I got to it, but it was around this point.
Mile 15 – 11:32 (Took 1/2 a GU here)
Mile 16 – 11:13
Mile 17 – 10:43
Overall Stats
17 miles – 3:02:53 – 10:45 pace
I had high hopes of going to Hot Yoga after my run this morning, but by Mile 16 I’d decided there’s no way that was gonna happen. When I got back to my car I promptly laid down in the grass and stayed there for a good 10-15 minutes. Wanna see what I look like after three hours of running?
Hot. I know.
After lying in the grass for awhile I did some downward dog and stretching and drove home. Usually I go stand in the river for cold water treatment but today I just wanted to get home and EAT!
I promptly devoured this yogurt bowl. Side note: Liberte Pro-Biotic, Organic Vanilla yogurt sucks. It is not worth $6 a container. They were out of my beloved Coconut flavour so I bought this. I will not be making that mistake again!
I am now trying to find the energy to foam roll and shower. It’s not looking good. Can’t I just be a sweaty mess on the couch all day?
In reflection, I felt pretty defeated after this run. Like, really, really defeated. My legs hurt. My feet hurt. My back hurt. I was tired. I was hungry. It was hot. Blah, blah, blah.
After writing this post, I think I’ve realized it just wasn’t my day. It really sucks that I had to have a crappy run when I tackled a new distance record. But it happened, and I finished the run anyways, that’s what counts! Hopefully 18 miles next weekend goes better.
Have a great Sunday!
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Crappy runs are par for the course, my friend. Some days you’ve got the running groove and some days you don’t. Lack of sleep probably was the big thing. You need to be rested to run 17 miles!!
I always think of all the people in S’bucks that HAVEN’T ran (and therefore earned their fancy schmancy drink). You got up, got out the door and did it. THAT is what matters.
Now, go find your foam foller and make nice with it. =)
Crappy runs are par for the course, my friend. Some days you’ve got the running groove and some days you don’t. Lack of sleep probably was the big thing. You need to be rested to run 17 miles!!
I always think of all the people in S’bucks that HAVEN’T ran (and therefore earned their fancy schmancy drink). You got up, got out the door and did it. THAT is what matters.
Now, go find your foam roller and make nice with it. =)
Great job on your personal distance record run! 17 miles is a looooong way to go
You are pretty much amazing. That is all.
Wow at first I was scared because I thought you said that was the last 17 miles you will run and I was like WHAT HAPPENED?! Alright, moving past that. I’m sorry that your 17 miles was not your best run, but thats definitely the way that running is and the fact that you still finished it is amazing! Also, better to have a bad practice run than a bad run on race day right?
I think not doing hot yoga after a run like that was a smart move! I couldn’t imagine running 17 miles in itself. Great job!
Great job on your long run! I’ve never run even half that far before. You are amazing!!
Do you bring a camera on your runs? How are you taking those pictures??
Hi Allie – I use my blackberry to take the photos on my runs
Not the greatest quality, but it works!
Aww. That’s a huge bummer, but I know how you feel. My 18 miler last weekend was a total bust. I did 20 this morning, and while it was hard and totally not fun, at least it was a sucess in comparison. Just goes to show, there are good weeks and there are bad ones. Here’s to next week’s long run being your sucess!
Amber, I have been reading your blog forever and you are the most adorbs person ever. This may not have been your day, but your day will come. You train hard and you’re a good person, which is the best combination for doing well in a race (I think)! You will do wonderfully, and hell, even managing to run 17 miles without DYING is wonderful in my opinion. xo.
You are amazing. Running 17 miles is astounding and you are awesome.
Dang! Lately all of my runs have been crappy, so I know your pain. Except Im only on mile 2….only 15 miles different.
Still sounds like it was a pretty successful run! There’s no way I could have done yoga after that either. I’m pretty useless the rest of the day after the long runs!
Yay!! Awesome run! I always love hitting a new personal distance record. Watch that arch pain…sounds like plantar fasciitis. Try rolling a tennis ball around on the arch…if it escalates it takes awhile to go away. Don’t feel defeated!!!! You just ran 17 miles! You are probably just tired. Sounds like the run was a success to me!
DUDE YOU RAN 17 MILES. AND YOU SMILED IN A PICTURE AFTERWARDS. YOU ARE FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!! (yes the caps were necessary!)
congrats on your run, you are hard-core!!!! must be beautiful to run where you live, i’m totally jealous over here
Hey now, I think you look great in that picture after your run.
I park by this park when I do my long runs. At the end of my 17 miler last week, I pretty much laid in the fetal position in a grassy area of this park. Pretty sure the parents that were there w/ their children thought I was a total freak. You couldn’t tell if i was crying or sweating… the sweat was dripping off of me… Not good. I pretty much wanted to curl in a ball and die because I was THAT hot and tired…
Marathon training is humbling. I would try to erase this run from your memory (I have tried to erase the memory of my 17 miler.) Here’s hoping out 18 milers rock! Then we get a nice long break before our 20 milers!!!!
congrats on your longest run ever! Don’t beat yourself up, remember long runs are about getting your body used to being on your feet for a long period time. The next time you do that distance it will be a lot easier. You are doing great! Drink lots of fluids.
great job on the LDPR!
some runs are harder than others…. it gives and takes. your going to do awesome! hopefully you have a back down week this week and can get some rest! i backed down this week and was very thankful. 
keep up the good work!
I think you did great! I can’t even imagine running 17 miles, that’s just amazing.
And I think you look pretty fantastic after running 17 miles! Way to go, girly!
YOURE RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME
My caps lock wasn’t on before I read this post, but somehow in the middle, it found itself on. Way to go, lady!
Wow you are awesome! That training sounds so intense. How do you make zucchini pasta? Is it healthier than other pasta?
The pasta noodles were just regular whole wheat linguini noodles, I just add big chunks of zucchini to the mix with some tomato sauce so I don’t have to eat as much pasta to feel full
Sorry to hear your run wasn’t so good, it still looked good by the numbers though! Be proud of yourself – 17 miles is SO far.
Ps. I also am always late because I get distracted by my computer in the morning, I always swear I’m going to stop doing it but I can’t haha
Congrats on a long run. They always say it’s best to have bad runs during training, so you train yourself physically and mentally to make it to the finish no matter what the conditions. Another thing *they* say? Two nights before your race is the most important night of sleep because most people will toss and turn the night before a race!
We did 29km yesterday (or just over 18 miles), and the day dawned bright and sunny for the first time in FOREVER. While I thought I took all precautions, I did end up with heatstroke at the 23km mark, and a wickedly burned back! But I listened to my body, cooled myself down (thank goodness for the river!) and walked the remaining 6km to the finish.
To back up what H-woman said: look around and ask yourself how many others out there just did what you did, great run or not?! Congrats!!! And it will get better.
Girl, you rocked it. 17 miles is something to smile about
Congratulations. Who cares if it was a sucky run. It un-sucks because you did it!
You’re really tough!
I’ve started seriously running this year, but I can’t get myself to run any distance that’s farther than 6 or 7 km and whenever I’ll feel crappy I’ll skip it and make it a short run. I suppose I have a serious motivation problem… Do you have any tips?
Good work on finishing the mileage! I know it sucks to feel so crappy during a long run. And icing and stretching don’t sound too fun when all you need is FOOD! I know that all too well.
Congrats for racking up a new personal distance record! 17 miles! Wow! That is quite an accomplishment! I think you should be way proud of yourself! xoxo
Whew! I don’t know how you do it, but you’re amazing for running seventeen miles! This is sad to say, but I don’t know if I could run ONE mile. I’m so out of shape. It’s finally cooling off this week, so I’m hoping to start my running. I really want to learn to love running again.