22 miles for the day, 47 miles for the week.
BAM.
I can’t even express how happy I am right now. I woke up feeling really nervous about today’s long run. I really wanted the last long run before taper to be a good one so that I’d feel really strong going into taper.
And I do.
I ran a mile to meet up with Stephanie and we set off for the George Washington Bridge—because I clearly didn’t get enough of it a few weeks ago.
After a lot of wine the other night and probably still being a bit dehydrated this morning, the run started off on the rough side. We were keeping a good pace, but it wasn’t easy by any means. We kept saying we should slow down…but didn’t. Trying to slow down on purpose? Kind of hard.
HI MOM! I ran into NJ—sorry I didn’t come home!
There are quite a few steep hills in the climb to the bridge, and I was not a happy camper. By the time we climbed onto the bridge, I’d gotten really quiet.
I am not a quiet person. If am quiet, something’s probably not right. My legs were so freaking tight by the time we hit the bridge, and I thought I needed to stop for a second at the end to stretch or else the rest of the run would be miserable. I stopped to stretch and Gu in NJ, and when we turned back around, I was a new woman.
My legs were loose, and it felt like we were flying. It also helped there were no uphills left, and I knew I was that much closer to taper.
After we hit 18, and I knew I only had 4 left, I’m pretty sure I started grinning like an idiot.
Hello New York, glad to see you again, too.
The first two times around, I ran two twenty-milers, but this year’s plan called for 22, and in my quest to get my body used to running higher mileage, I was game for the challenge.
22 miles, 3:28:28. 9:28 pace.
My feelings of preparedness for this marathon change by the minute, but right now, I’m still feeling great about it after conquering a hard REALLY long run. I ran this 22 miles only 4 minutes slower than last year’s last 20-miler before taper.
Marathoners: what’s the most you usually go up to in training? How are you feeling about your training right now? How do you feel about taper–love or hate it?
A HUGE CONGRATS TO EVERYONE WHO RAN CHICAGO–ESPECIALLY JOCELYN, JESS, MARGARET, SKINNY RUNNER AND MARY! Go recover…and then please write your recaps ASAP, thanks. And congrats to Monica on her awesome PR!
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Congrats on a strong last LR!! My 20-miler for NYCM on Saturday didn’t feel great, but now it’s DONE and I’m sort-of-tapering… as my last LR, I’m racing the Grete’s half marathon next weekend, and then real taper begins. I also haven’t been running much except for long runs because of some knee woes, but hoping to get back to it this week!
Liz recently posted..Getting My Life Back
You killed it on your final long run! You are going to dominate MCM!
Jess recently posted..Say it, Do it! {Marathon Goal Pace}
Did I ever teeeeeell you you’re my heeerooooooooo… [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-GLliVyzAg]
Valerie recently posted..norgis:
Today’s run was the first big jump of our training…
Congrats on your last really long run! It sounds like it went well:) I’m anxiously awaiting recaps as well. They’re so exciting to read:)
Caroline recently posted..Monumental Half Training Recap Week 6
Congrats on a great 22-miler! Being a new runner, I am reading everyone’s long run recaps lately and I am just completely in awe. I can’t imagine going 22 miles, let alone a marathon. You all definitely inspire me to keep going and keep trying to get better! You’re going to do awesome at the MCM! Happy tapering!!
Great job on your 22 miler! Nothing better than having a strong run going into taper, what a great feeling
I have my last long run this coming Saturday and I am doing 24. It’s the first time I’ve ever done a training run this long. Definitely nervous!
Steph recently posted..The Vermont 50 Relay aka #VTcheeseparty (Part 2)
Sounds like you are ready to tackle that marathon! Way to go!
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More recently posted..Hedge Apple Hike
I’m getting ready for my first marathon and my training plan called for a longest run of 20 miles, but I decided to go up to 23 (yesterday). I think I have a better feel for how those last 6 miles are gonna be now! Good luck to you!
Steph recently posted..Last Long Run
thank you! youre up next, rock it!
gulp. Maybe come to DC and pace me? Thanks.
Amazing job on your last long run! So awesome that you rocked it. Have to admit that I love taper time. The work is done, nothing to be fixed now, that kind of feeling. Plus, no more four hour exoduses for running on the weekend.
fionarwbl recently posted..The Most Eventful Run Ever. Yes, I’m Back At It.
I am so impressed! 22 miles at 9:28 pace is AWESOME. That’s such a great note to end on before taper. I LOVED tapering last year, I looked forward to it so much. Enjoy this time!
Dori recently posted..How did I ever run without Injinji socks?
See, I don’t understand why everyone else has a hard time with tapering. Sleeping more and eating enough carbs to feed a small nation? Yes, please.
See you at the finish line in three weeks!
Anne recently posted..You’re as Cold as Ice
I mean, at some point I sort of start missing the really long runs…but sleep + carbs = wonderful.
Thank you!!! Can’t wait to watch you kill it at MCM!!!
RunEatRepeat recently posted..Long Beach Marathon 2012 Recap
yeahhhh so glad you rocked this thing out!!! I can’t lie I”m freaking out right now as my runs have gotten worse. Next weekend still calls for a 20 so if I can hit that I’ll mentally feel better…we shall see
looks like we are going to see Spiderman the night of the race…this is me telling my body I’m going to feel just fine
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..A 26.2 Weekend
Congrats on 22 miles at that pace, that’s incredible! I ran only 6 miles after a night of having a few drinks and boy did I learn my lesson! NEVER AGAIN! Haha!
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction recently posted..Whole Wheat Pumpkin Yogurt Bread
Enjoy the taper. You have earned the right to be lazy!
Allison@commitcomplete recently posted..Take (Twenty-Six Point) Two
This is my first big taper, and I hate it. HATE IT! Don’t get me wrong – I don’t miss getting up at 4:45 to squeeze in 8 miles before work. However, I’m completely obsessing over whether my plan’s taper is too long and whether I logged enough miles. The farthest I went was 20 (also had an 18 and a 19 in there).
Kimberly @ Healthy Strides recently posted..Marathon Monday: Time – it’s of the essence
Fantastic run, well done!!!!
Cathryn @ myheartscontent recently posted..Fleet feet in Fleet Week
YAHOO!!! You go girl! : )
Emily @ http://www.main-eats.com recently posted..Weekending in Branson
You’ve got this. Bigtime.
Shauna@Pleasure, not Punishment recently posted..RACE RECAP – Rock n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon