What toenails?

I don't think we realize what we're getting ourselves into?

0900 this morning, Abe, Will and I headed out to the Mesabi trail to punch out 22 miles.  The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Luckily, there was a nice cool breeze that kept us somewhat "sane" over the miles. 

Over all, I felt pretty good... I hit my "wall" at about 20 miles.  Thoughts that consisted of "why am I doing this again?", or "am I crazy?" ran through my head faster then my feet were hitting the pavement.  Once I crossed the 22 mile mark though and came home to my wonderful, thoughtful husband preparing a large feast for us; it all went away. 

I listened to my IPOD a lot this run, (which is unlike me) although I think it was a good thing, it allowed me to focus more on my body and not what was coming out of my mouth in conversation.  The 3 of us split up around 8 miles, met up again at 11 and pretty much ran separate the rest of the way.  Even though I didn't "see" Abe or Will during those times, I still new that they were out on the trail, suffering just as I was, this in itself, kept me moving.  I stopped four times to fill my water belt, walked up two hills, and used the bathroom (aka poison ivy infested woods) other then that, I moved my body the WHOLE TIME!!!  It took me 4 hours and 7 minutes.  I felt myself really slowing down at the end, the heat got the best of me, I'll be honest.  The sun was relentless and at times I felt like going into the woods to just shelter myself from it.  It was as like the sun literally drained my body of the energy that I was replenishing it with.  Thank God for sunscreen!  I kept up a good sweat, at one time, I wasn't sweating, until I hit my last water station.  I drank, (probably too much) and was on my way.  Shortly after, I felt myself starting to sweat again, which was good being I was essentially overheating. 

It was great to see so many other people enjoying the trail today.  There were a lot of other runners on the trail, (Go Carrie Thorvig!!), bikers (one of which found it necessary to drink a Budweiser while attempting to ride his bike), and walkers. 

As the trail maneuvered its way through the little town of Bovey, the smell of hot dogs was in the air from a baseball game in the near distance.  This made me excited to get home!

I have no idea what he's doing?

When running a marathon, it's a common "known" that near the end of the race, runners are being wiped of all of their available energy stores.  They run more sloppy, doing anything to conserve the little energy they have left.  Some actually look like they're in pain, and most likely they are.  The downfall with training and not running an actual marathon is the people you pass by, don't have any idea how many miles you've ran.   At one point, I wanted to yell out, "I've ran 20 miles", I'm sure I looked like I was out of shape by the way I was running and how slow I was going (not that anyone cares), but still... it's an urge that I almost carried out at one point.  I did find joy inside when I ran by bikers two different times during our run, they.... knew!

Zack, Will and Abe enjoying lunch!

We enjoyed watermelon, burgers, sunchips, beans and stella beer... perfect way to end a long run.  After a two hour nap, I feel amazing!  Time to head out for a ride in the convertible! 

Well this was our last run before the big race.  I'm really praying for cooler weather, although I do feel that I'm prepared for hot conditions after today. 

Happy Running!