My 1st ever 17 miler.

I love crying newbie, ha!

I've done a few 16 milers but today was my first 17 miler. It was about 16 degrees when we started at 7:30 am. Clearly, I like pain and punishment for some messed up reason. But when I say I'm going to do something running related I WILL do it. I talk way too much smack to not back it up. Especially when I talk two of my running friends into the same jog-o-torture. John and Brian. Equally as hard core and strict as myself.

This run was supposed to be 15 miles at go like this:

Miles 1-6: 8:00 to 8:30 pace
Next 5-7 miles at 6:45 pace
Remaining 2-4 at whatever pace comes out

I kinda followed the plan:


miles 1-6 at 7:58 pace
miles 7-11 6:45 pace
miles 12-17 mid 7's pace
Total: 17 miles at 7:20 pace


This was the day after a really hard 10 miler in Umstead. (7:03 pace) I felt fine for a while but then the pace miles hit. After 2 miles @ 6:45 pace I wanted to quit. My fingers hurt so badly from the cold. I couldn't feel my face, blah blah blah....But I kept thinking, "no way in hell can I report back to my running friends that I quit because it was cold out." Sorry, that ain't happenin'! And moreover, I would have had the worst guilt ever. So that pain was the easier option. 

I did the 3rd fast mile and hated it. Then the 4th and told myself I could do the minimum of 5 fast and call it a day. But then I had about 400 meters of sunshine out behind the mall. I said, F it I'll do one more and that's it. So I did 6 miles at exactly the pace I wanted. I've worked hard to nail that pace. So it felt good. I usually feel light on my feet at that pace. This was almost stomping but hell, I got it done.

The remaining miles kinda ranged from low 7 to mid 7 pace. 15 miles turned to 17 when we went around Shelly the opposite way. At the time it sounded like a good idea. Not quite sure the rationale with that one.

So I got home and went straight to the fire place. I sat there in my nasty clothes and shoes for about 30 minutes. No glamour shot here. That was exhaustion, pain and a forced half ass smile.

At that point I was either going to fall asleep or shower. So, in effort for cleanliness I took a shower. Then laid on the couch and whimpered for the rest of the morning. I was tired, sore, thirty and starving.


Well, I'm done. Good run in all. Thanks Brian and John. That wraps up 47 miles this week and 2 swim workouts. 17 of those miles were 6:20 to 6:45 pace. I'm just sayin'! haaaa.


XOXO