Running with a Parachute

The title sums up my 20-miler today. It was the worst, most difficult run I think I have ever run. It reminded me so much of the NJ marathon. The forecast was terrible: rain and high winds. The weather guy said the rain will be horizontal rain! The forecast said the rain will be heavier in the afternoon so I wanted to be out the door kinda early.

First off, I did 10 miles at 8:22 yesterday which I am super excited about. I ran up on the levee and it was very windy and drizzling a little. I worked hard and kept the pace up. I probably should have stuck to the streets as it is always windy down by the river, but I got spoiled running up there this week. It is nice not to worry about cars for a change! Also, there are some little hills to run up and down. I went to bed around 10 last night because I was tired from the tough workout and I wanted to get up early to get the 20 over with this morning.

It was around 40 degrees so I wore a tech shirt and breathable pants (from Target!). I then threw on one of Aaron's old windbreakers from around 1995! It was an extra large, but it had a hood and seemed water proof. I wore a baseball hat (which I hate running with!) and put my ipod shuffle in a ziplock bag so it wouldn't get ruined. When I headed out, it wasn't even raining! The windbreaker wasn't breathable, so I got pretty sweaty right away. It was a terrible feeling keeping all that heat in, but I knew I would appreciate the jacket later. The direction I started running was so windy! My heart rate was up after one mile, so I decided right then and there not to worry about pace, just get the miles in. Around mile 2, I switched directions and ran all the way down Wyoming Ave...from Denison to the Gateway, and it wasn't bad for about 4miles. It started to rain a bit, but never really hard.

It is very difficult to get 20 miles in, so I ventured over to Wilkes Barre before I headed towards West Pittston. I ran through my college campus, but it was desolate. Everyone was on spring break. The campus is looking good, and even though I live pretty close to it, I don't check it out too often. Around 8 miles in (semi windy), I had to turn around.

Oh the wind! I ran into a headwind for 8 straight miles! It was so hard. I really felt like I had a parachute on. It reminded me of my old track days when we did resistance training with an actual parachute strapped to our backs. I was running as hard as I could and was just not moving! I honestly felt like crying numerous times. I was just so miserable and drained. I got to West Pittston shopping center, and turned around. It was like a switch was turned. Immediately, there was no wind! It made me question my sanity because I honestly couldn't even tell it was blowing. It was just in that one direction. I looked at my pace, and for about two miles, it was right where it should be (9:00ish). Then, for the last 3 miles, my legs were dead, my energy was gone, and I shuffled home. I think I ruined my shoes though. They are black from dirt! I have over 500 miles on them anyway, so I am going to order a fresh pair for the marathon. On a positive note, I wasn't all that wet. The heavy rain held off!

It was super scared to check the pace, and when I looked, I actually am kinda happy with it: 9:17 per mile. I thought it was going to be MUCH worse. It was such a hard 20-miler, I am thankful I only have one more left in two weeks. When I came home, I took a shower and went back to bed for 2 hours. I haven't done a darn thing all day but lay around. OK, I did go to McDonald's for a Shamrock shake...I earned one! My legs currently feel tired and slightly stiff and sore. I am walking normally and can go up and down stairs without a problem, but my calves feel like rocks! I just hope I don't get any muscle spasms tonight.

I also need to decide if I am going to run that 4.5 miler next weekend. I am leaning towards it, but will probably decide for sure on Thursday. If I decide, I will run 5 days straight and do my long run on Friday so I can rest on Saturday and have fresh legs on Sunday. We'll see.

Personally, I had a great birthday. So many people made a big deal out of my birthday, I feel so blessed. I had one of my friends at work make me brownies, and another make me cupcakes. Several of my classes made me cards (kinda a big deal for 7th graders to make the effort). Aaron made me breakfast and dinner! On Friday, my homeroom girls from last year got me a little cake. We also went out for dinner with my best bud Stacey and her husband. Today, we are going out with my family for hibachi. I also got tons of cards, texts, calls, and facebook posts. I'm a lucky girl!