ouch

Still tired/sore from last week’s cross-country hiking/camping/rock climbing escapade, yesterday’s long run was actually quite painful.  An unforeseen series of events in the morning resulted in a slightly awkward start, too.   I planned to run early (8ish), so I had eaten a light breakfast at 7.  I also wanted to get new shoes beforehand.  So, I took a trip over to my local store and found they didn’t open until 10.  As a result, I ended up sticking around home/reading until 10, biking over to get new shoes, throwing them on, and heading out.  So, now it’s about 10:30, and I haven’t eaten since my light meal at 7.  Within the first two miles, my stomach was growling and I knew it was going to be a long run…I also miscalculated how much liquid I had/how much I could drink and when.  I finished my fluids with an hour left to run, and was desperately yearning for a drink at the end.  The food situation was actually okay, though.  I had my two Accel gels, and though my stomach was growling for the last half mile or so, it wasn’t too bad.  My legs/body, though, was quite sore and tired.  I think I’m still pretty beat from the driving/living outside last week. So, today I’m pretty darn sore. BUT, the good news is that I ran EIGHTEEN miles!  Ha, a new distance PR, and I’m stoked.  2/3 of a marathon!  And I think it ended up being at a pace of ~8:15 or so.  Also good. I had a lot of work to do last night, and didn’t do any of it in lieu of having a good time with friends.  While it may make this afternoon stink, it was really nice.  I do, however, have to get my things in line over the next couple of days, because this weekend is another “recruiting weekend” for the grad program.  I’ll be leading another hike and probably partaking in as many free meals as possible.