Longest Run Ever - 21.25 marathon training

I headed out today to get my long run in for the week.  I am training for the Cox Providence Rhode Race marathon on May 6th.  I am not using a specific training plan.  I am going with the advice that if you can run 20 you can run a full and your wall is the farthest distance you have run in the past 2 weeks.

I am focusing on my mental game approaching the distance as five 5 mile sets.  I am also expanding my brain around the notion that I can run for miles and miles and miles!  You know just relax and do it.

I don't run with all of the electronic gear that others have.  I just use a Times Ironman Triathlon watch and a step counter when I feel like it.  So when I set out for distance I figure an average of 10 minutes a mile and worry about the exact distance after the run, unless I must know ahead of time and map it pre-run.  I find that I actually go farther when I go with the 10 minute mile approach.  So today I ran out 1:36 and then back for a total of  3:28.  In the end I went 21.25 miles and averaged 9:45 minutes per mile.

In addition to working on my metal game today I also got to work on running in crappy weather.  The way out was beautiful and I could not imagine why people were walking with umbrellas.  It all became clear when I turned around.  The sky was very dark and within 10 minutes I was being pelted with cold wind, hail & rain.  I thought about waiting it out somewhere, but thought they don't stop the clock in a marathon when the weather turns.  It was horrible for 15-20 minutes and then cleared only to resume again with a soaking rain that saturated my shoes and socks.  I survived the weather and the miles with just enough time to shower and head back out for ballet and soccer with the girls.  I did not even have time to check my distance. :(

Never having run a full marathon before, I won't know if this is the best approach or me or not until I test it on race day.  For now it is what I have got and we will see soon enough how it works out.  I am not concerned with my final time on race day.  For my first full I just want to finish it and then we will see what comes next in terms of adjusting my training plan (such as it is) to improve.

I run for fun and to be outside on my own.  So in the end it is all good!  I am open to suggestions though if you have any advice you would like to share with a first time marathoner.  I will let you know how it all goes on May 6th!

Welcome back from the farm Lucy!

Tonight was a welcome back run for Lucy.  While we were away at the wedding she got to go stay at the farm and hang out with some special people and I don't know quite how many cats.  She even seemed to get along with one of the cats so I am told.  I wish I had some pictures of her from her doggy staycation.  She also was the only member of our immediate family who took on hurricane Irene.  I am also told that she did well with the storm.  I can't imagine.  She does not like thunderstorms.  I think it has something to do with her first 6 months of life living on the street.  So tonight I took her running as a welcome home.  I had not counted on all of the new smells that came with the storm.  There are so many branches down that every other dog on the path must have already "checked out."

She just walked back into the room and gave herself a good shake.  You know the ears flapping side to side kind of shake.  I think she is happy to be at home!  She has two girls that absolutely adore her and a bay window where she stands guard all day.

Now we have dinner going in the kitchen.  The fries are on a baking sheet and the grass fed beef that was purchased during todays one day only sale at Wholefoods is waiting to go into the pan as hamburgers.  Life is good!

Other tidbits from my run:  after 3 times running in my running skirt I finely found the secret pocket.  It is on the left leg on the shorts.  I had searched the waistband every time and never found it.  The extra seam across the leg gave it away.  I also tried running with my hair down, testing princess hair styles.  I had one barrette pulling my hair back.  Well in the end I just looked sweaty with wet ringlets and a wet "bib" on my shirt.  Maybe not the best look for photos.  I did not feel like taking a picture test tonight so I will need to repeat the test on another run.

I would love to know if anyone else test runs their runDisney race attire/looks.