22

Today, I ran 22 miles.

Right now, to say I'm sore doesn't even cover it.

My buns, quads and calves are "zinging", as I like to say.  I can feel my muscles screaming at me.

I am tired.

Today, I ran 18 miles strong.  Then, it became all about mental strength.

My goals were simple...

Don't go out too fast.

Don't push too hard at any time.

Work on your endurance.

Complete 22 miles.

I was tempted to stop at 21.

I was really tempted to stop at 21.5 when I had to run past the street my car was parked on.  Who likes to run past their car with 1/2 mile to go?

I've been working on my strategy.  To not go out too strong.  To get progressively faster.  This is my goal for race day.

Today's times...

9:25, 9:23, 9:16, 9:15, 9:07, 9:05 - Right on target.  Heading to the 8:50's...

8:51, 8:50, 8:49, 8:54, 8:58, 8:53, 8:57, 8:58, 8:55, 8:58, 9:02, 8:57 - Fading...

9:26, 9:07, 9:39, 9:17 - 4 more.  That's all.  4 more.  Fighting.  Sideways rain.  22.  How bad do you want it?

My mind started telling me that I couldn't do it.  That a sub 4 was out of the question.  That I was slow.  And then, I started to remind my feeble mind...

On race day, I will have tapered for 3 weeks. 

On race day, I will not have run 8 of my fastest miles just 2 days before.   5 of those miles at a sub 8:00 pace. 

On race day, I will not have spent the entire day before scrubbing and cleaning my house.

On race day, I will be rested.  

On race day, I will have completed ALL of my training.  

On race day, I will be ready. 

My body aches.  

I don't want to move.  

And yet, I'm smiling.  

22 miles done.  

Done.  

God sure is good!