Previous Long Run Recaps:
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After the whole smoke incident, vengeance was mine this morning!
First, let’s backtrack to last night.
I came home last night to Eric cooking dinner for the THIRD time this month. You can see what he cooked me the first two times here and here. I don’t know what has gotten into this boy, but I like it!
Last night he made a baked greek salad, a cold pasta-mango dish and tuna burgers with mango salsa.
Holy YUM! This was so freaking good. I cannot wait to eat leftovers today!
Onto the run, I was crawling into bed at 9:00 PM last night, determined to get a good nights sleep so I could rock this run. My alarm was set for 4:45 AM and I was hoping to be hitting the pavement by 5:45 AM at the latest.
I thought today I would share my usual “routine” before long runs! I start off with the usual breakfast:
And then I eat while reading healthy living and running blogs for inspiration! This morning I read Lisa’s 18-mile recap.
Then well my food settles I fill up my camelbak. The last three or so runs I’ve been going with half gatorade and half water and it’s been working well for me and I find I don’t feel the need to drink from it as much.
I lather my feet with vaseline as I’m prone to blisters and then put on my socks and shin sleeves. Side note: these Zensah shin sleeves have helped me with my left shin pain SO MUCH. I highly recommend them if you are having troubles with your shins. I never run without them now and I think that them + foam rolling and icing is what’s allowing me to get through this training cycle!
Oh, and in case you were wondering, they make for HOT tan lines. After the run:
What?!
OK, onto what you’re really here for, the run itself!
I was planning on doing two things differently this run:
1. I really wanted to focus on taking short strides. I read an article about this and I think it could really help with injury prevention.
2. I was planning on taking a 1-minute walking break every mile. Usually I do 9:1, but this time I did a 1-minute walking break every time my Garmin beeped at a mile.
Miles 1-8
Mile 1 – 10:34
Mile 2 – 10:29
Mile 3 – 11:01
Mile 4 – 10:39 – GU
Mile 5 – 10:30
Mile 6 – 10:04
Mile 7 – 10:23
Mile 8 – 10:21 – GU: This is where I made the mistake of loosening my running shoe.
I stuck to residential areas until it was fully light out and then I jumped on the running path and headed across the bridge. My route was really convoluted and all over the place today. Here’s a map view from Dailymile:
I was feeling GOOD at Mile 8 and was ready to pick up the pace for the next 10 miles. But my right foot felt a little funny so I decided to loosen up my shoe. BAD IDEA.
First, the sun was out full force by now, and in order to get from that little green park area on the map over to mile 11 I had to run through town, with almost no shade. And then my arch started to bug me again. I think the main cause of this was loosening up my shoe, never shoulda done that!
Miles 9-14
Mile 9 – 10:42
Mile 10 – 10:20
Mile 11 – 10:09
Mile 12 – 10:34 – GU
Mile 13 – 10:27
Mile 14 – 10:38
At Mile 12 I started to cry. My arch was bugging me, my legs were tired, I was running in an area with no shade, I was being a big baby. From Miles 12-14 I seriously, seriously considered calling Eric to come pick me up.
At Mile 13 I screamed out loud. Seriously. Went, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH in the middle of my run.
At Mile 14 I sat down on a bench put my head between my legs and gave myself a pep talk.
I told myself to suck it the fuck up and get going. I grew up playing hockey and tough love works with me. And it’s true, I needed to get over my negative thoughts and get positive and GET GOING. I also tightened my shoe again and that? Made all the difference. I felt better and I got going!
Miles 15-18
Mile 15 – 10:33
Mile 16 – 10:37 – 1/2 a GU
Mile 17 – 10:24
Mile 18 – 10:30
I refilled my camel bak at 14.5 and felt pretty decent the last 3.5 miles. My legs were sore, but I managed to sprint the last 0.25 mile so I couldn’t have been too sore.
And then? I was done.
Overall Stats:
18 Miles – 3:08:49 – 10:30 pace
My pace was 15 seconds faster than my 17-mile run 1.5 weeks ago.
I liked doing the walk break every mile but think I prefer my 9:1 method. I’m not sure if the shorter strides helped, my legs were really tight at the end, maybe that’s why?
It wasn’t my best run ever but I’ll take it!
I promptly drove myself to the river for cold water treatment. Sadly I don’t have a bathtub so this is my only option. My calves were really seizing up after this run. It reminded me of what they felt like after my 16-mile run back in February!
And now? I am inhaling oats in a jar!
As you can probably tell, there was quite a bit of Almond Butter left in this jar and it wasn’t quite ready to be recycled yet. BUT I just ran 18 miles so figured I could use it 
Off to foam roll and shower! This afternoon I’m going to the theatre to see Eat, Pray, Love and you can bet I’ll be getting popcorn!!!!
Happy Wednesday
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you!! 18 miles is no easy feat
Eat, Pray, Love is great! I liked it!
I waited too long to do my run this morning, dressed head to toe in black and then proceeded out the door. It was HOT! My own fault for dilly-dallying instead of just getting my butt out the door.
=)
Yea that’s a run to take! How amazing. Just the sole act of completing 18 miles deserves a medal in my book. Great job.
wooo go amber!
What kind of socks do you wear when running?
Hey Lisa – I wear Nike Dri Fit socks!
You are a superstar! I can totally see myself screaming (or crying) in the middle of a run. And then getting back up & finishing it, because there really is no other way.
I never realized how much running really is a mental sport as well as physical, but I’m totally seeing that in your training and in Lisa’s as well. I’m glad that you powered through your 18 miler. You are a rock star and nothing short of awesome.
Well done!!
You know what I love about this training run? You’re really honing in on what works (breakfast and 1/2 Gatorade + 1/2 H2O mix) and what doesn’t (adjusting clothing mid-run). That’s EXACTLY what these training runs are supposed to do. You even gave yourself a successful pep talk which is a helluva lot more than I can say for myself (I totally would’ve called Eric if I were in your shoes!). Yay, you finished. Congrats!
Yeah! Congrats on finishing 18! Seems like that 1/2 gatorade, 1/2 water mixture really is the trick. It just seems like the right amount of sweet and hydration. mmm…oats in a jar. I’m ready for fall!
Excellent job powering through the run. Hey, you got out there and still managed to get your long run in for the week – that’s wonderful! I’m a tough love person too…some people might not think my negative thoughts are healthy, but it works for me! We could totally run together, our paces look exactly the same for 18 miles!
Way to kill that run, girl! So proud of you!!!
And I love the tan. It’s like a farmer’s tan in reverse… lol
SO proud of you for making it through this 18 miler! It’s okay that it wasn’t your favorite run ever, it’s EIGHTEEN miles haha!
I’m so glad you got to do it and didn’t call Eric to come get you. Hope you have a seriously relaxing night planned!!!
Is it bad that I sort of laughed at certain parts of this post – mostly because I could totally relate. the crying/screaming thing resonated with me on my 17 mile run. I wanted to cry, scream, and shout at teh top of my lungs about how much that run sucks.
It’s pretty amazing to see your run mapped out like that… Kind fo blow your mind that you ran that. I mean, your legs carried you THAT far.
Well done, lady! So proud of you!!
You are FANTASTIC. Way to go!! And thank you for inspiring me to run last night. I think I’m really going to stick to it this time; I’m already set for another one tonight
And you need to get Eric to share those recipes! That meal sounds amazing!! D has been a whiz in the kitchen lately too – we could have a Boy Recipe Tradeoff
PS. “I told myself to suck it the fuck up” = amazing
SO proud of you for finishing! You’re amazing!!!!
Great job on the 18 miler. I started following your blog through Distance Dreamers because you are doing the Portland marathon, which is where I’m from. I don’t know what your goal pace is, but I am totally excited to be pacing the first half of the 4:30 group.
One thing to look at with your calf cramping is that you might be a little low on electrolytes, especially sodium. GU has some sodium, but probably not enough, especially on a warmer day. The watered down Gatorade might be a little low too. I like to use electrolytes in a pill form because I can’t seem to drink enough to keep up. I don’t know for sure if that is your issue, but it might be worth checking out. Keep up the great work!
CONGRATS! That is so awesome. Go you. I love your self-pep talks. Seriously.
Great job on the 18 miles!!! Way to get over the mental hurdles and push through! Sorry about the foot problems, I hope that they chill after you rest up!
Wow, great job! You’re getting there!!
Not all training/Long Runs are great – but GOOD for you, pushing through the tough parts
All on your own, too!! You’ll be ready for 20 when it comes 
Sometimes, I have to give myself to same pep talk. And, as much as it may surprise you, a well-placed, well-yelled F*CK when I’m feeling it the most helps me.
Aggression is good.
I am SO PROUD and SO INSPIRED by you. Your running posts make me want to get out there and RUN. You are doing such an amazing job with this training and I think you’re going to have an fantastic race day experience.
AWESOME JOB!! Reading this totally motivated me. Too bad its my rest day. I will have to read it again tomorrow. And now I really want to look into the shin sleeves.
Outstanding job pushing through the 18-miler. I like the tough-love approach. Whatever it takes to get the mind and the body working together.
Awesome job on running the 18 miles! That’s craziness in my head, so I can only imagine what you were going through.
How was Eat, Pray, Love? I haven’t read the book or seen the movie, but would like to
Great run! I think the “ice bath” at the end was a great idea too, hee hee
wooot woot congrats on 18 miles! I have a big training run tomorrow morning, 26 km! My furthest yet!! Hope you loved the movie and the popcorn!
I saw Eat, Pray, Love yesterday, and I thought it was pretty good
It might have been rough, but that’s a hell of a success story. Nice job!
Those are some wicked tan lines! hehe, but if it works then do it!
Hey, what are eating for breakfast? – Toast, peanut butter and bananas? It looks yummy!
Holy crap! 18 miles is loooong!! Awesome job!
I’ve had to stop and tell myself to smarten up on runs before. So much of it is mental its amazing.
I love the tan lines! So awesome!
You are seriously an inspiration! I’m glad you stopped and gave yourself a pep talk so that you could finish your run. I used to do that if I felt like I couldn’t get through the 30-day shred … (Which I know is NOTHING compared to an 18-mile run!)
You’re doing so well!! So inspired by your progress Amber! I can’t wait for you to kick this marathon’s butt
Congrats on the long run!! I can’t even wrap my brain around 18 miles! I loved seeing your route, my runs are like that – all over the place. It made me think about where I would run if I were training for a marathon, I have no idea!
Wow, I am so not where you are, but what an inspiration you are. Thanks for the tip on the Zensah shin sleeves. Have you ever tried those double-lined socks for blisters? BTW, your hair is awesome. Sad that red hair is fading off into oblivion. Perhaps if you plan to have children you’ll create another beautiful red head
oh yea, thats a tossup with the almond butter. theres quite a bit left but not too much that it cant be used, especially after training/running.
vaseline is quite magical. i remember hearing that the inventor used to eat a tablespoon each day because thats how much he believed in his product lol
xoxo
Wow!! I love how honest you are about running!! I have been there and wanted to cry but that was around the 11k mark haha. Good luck with all your training!
It’s not funny at all but when you told yourself to suck it the fuck up, well I kind of laughed because I can’t picture you doing that at all
Way to go! Wow I don’t know what’s gotten into your man either, but send him my way to make dinner too!
18 Miles is unbelievable! I am working up to 13 right now and the idea of the last two is terrifying me. Good for you for getting through it despite the frustrations along the way. YOu are soooooo gonna rock your marathon.
And I hope you enjoyed your popcorn…you earned every piece!
you are a rock star. with about an average of 10.30 per mile. over a course of 18 miles. ROCK STAR! you’ll do amazing in the marathon!
great job on the run sweets!
Way to go on 18 miles Amber! You’ll remember this 18 miler always – it’s a part of who you ARE now. I’m so impressed with your self pep talk. That attitude will carry you through your marathon. Really, you are going to need that faith in yourself anywhere from miles 18 – 24. Now you know YOU CAN DO IT!