20 Solo Miles

Yes, I did run 20 solo miles last Saturday...not only was this the longest run I have EVER ran, but it is also by far the most I have ever ran by myself!
I got up around 5am on Saturday to get ready.  I ate my breakfast slowly and felt really good!  I was excited to get going!  I got all "geared" up and stepped outside.  There was a nice chill in the air!  I started up my Garmin....

Well, attempted to start up my Garmin watch...and the darn thing didn't do ANYTHING!  I had charged it overnight, so I knew it wasn't that...It was like it was frozen!  I started panicking...there was no way I wanted to attempt my longest run, BY MYSELF, and without my watch.  I was looking forward to keeping track of my miles with it, and knowing my exact time. 
I ran back inside and found the manuel.  By this time I was almost in tears...I read the manuel, and it told me if it froze up, to hold these two buttons, and it would turn it off and restart it.  I did it...AND IT WORKED!!!  Thank the lord!!!
So, I stepped back outside, stretched and took off! 
Mile 1-4: It was a beautiful morning and I just took those first 4 miles to enjoy running!  It was neat to run by myself for once, and I was able to really relax, enjoy my surroundings and think!  At mile 4 I stopped to walk, drink some water and down a GU.
Mile 4-8: I was still feeling pretty strong!  I did get passed by a really fast guy running...He flew by me!  Again, nothing to eventful happened!  I continued to enjoy my run.  At mile 8 I stopped to walk again and drank some more water and downed another GU.
Mile 9-13.1: I got to mile 9 and then had to run another mile out before I could turn around (I was running the same route we had ran our 18miler...except now I had to run an additional mile out)  This took me into the parking lot of a middle school and I took a path that led me into a subdivision.  I decided to stay straight on that road, so I wouldn't get lost...except I came to an end in the road and I was only at 9.5 miles so I had to turn right or left.  I made a left and kept going...so hoping I wouldn't get lost.  This subdivision was HILLY and I started to get a little tired.  I finally made it to Mile 10, and turned around.  I decided to walk up one of the BIG hills, and once up it, ran again.  I finally made it out of the subdivision and back on my route home!  Yea...over halfway there!  I finished the 13.1 in approx. 2hrs and 20min.  I felt I was going at a fairly good pace even with taking a few short walking breaks.  At mile 13.1 I walked and drank some gaterade and fueled with some energy jelly beans.
Mile 13.1-16: Right around Mile 14 I came to a McDonalds and ran inside and refilled my water bottles and ran to the bathroom.  I continued at a fairly good pace to 16, but I could feel I was starting to slow down.  This was where mentally it was getting difficult!  At mile 16 I stopped again to walk and told myself I could do this...I only had 4 more miles to go!
Mile 16-20: I started up again and told myself if I could run to 18 that I could walk again before I hit the home stretch.  During these two miles I did stop once to stretch my legs on the side of the road.  They were starting to tighten up a bit, and my back was hurting from the continuous motion of my arms.  After I stretched I ran to right around 18.5.  I did walk again, to drink some water...plus there were a million garage sales going on, and the cars were taking up my shoulder, so I had to walk to get around them.  
The last 1.5 miles, I kicked it in gear.  I was tired, hurting a little bit, and my mental attitude was shot.  I was sooo ready to be done!!!  Those last 5-6 miles was when I soooo wish Beck and Kris would have been there to help push me on!  
I came around the corner, and my dad, my husband and my father-in-law where outside working on a swing set for my son's 2nd b-day.  My dad let out a yell, and they cheered as I ran to the driveway...20 FREAKIN MILES DONE...SOLO BABY!!!!

I finished right around 3hrs. 40min.  I was happy with my time...I think I wouldn't have stopped quite as much had Kris and Beck been there, but I was still happy to have done it!
Since then, I actually haven't been nearly as tired or sore as I was from my 18 miles...which is a good thing!
I ran another 5 miles on Tuesday, and last night did a Body Combat class.  I'm feeling good!!!

Only a few more weeks until Chicago....

XOXO,
Stephanie