Long run and a humbling 5k

This weekend, I experienced a vast array of emotions regarding my runs. Saturday morning, I had my longest run yet - 11.7 miles. Although I completed a half marathon last year, I ended up walking a lot of it. Prior to this years training, my longest run was between 6-7 miles. 

Saturday I woke up really nervous. My training the past few weeks has been great. I've been able to power through the mental mind block and run until I'm done the route - hills and all! The previous week we had done 9.5 and I wasn't expecting a 2 mile bump in mileage. I was trying really had to not let it get to me - but it was freaking me out a little. The night before I hadn't really slept well - I'd had a bunch of junk to eat the night before and had some weird panic attacks a few times throughout the night. I woke up a little sleepy, but decided to just trust the training and take it one step at a time. As it was nearly 12 miles, I decided to chunk it into 4 mile sections. The first four miles would get me to the turn onto Union St. Then the next four miles was from Union St to Reservoir Ave (hill!), and the final 4 would get me back to the store. 

I started listening to a new audiobook on this run. While it is not nearly as amazing as "Born to Run", it is a pretty good distraction on the runs. The first four miles went well - I tried to pick up the pace a little, while still conserving energy for the last 2/3 of the run. I had my energy chews at mile 4 and then stopped at the "water station" shortly after. One of our group members lives right on the route and is very kind to put out some water and Gatorade for us to be able to have on the run. I was very thankful for the electrolyte drink, since I haven't been carrying any with me - just water.. I must remember to start bringing a sport drink in my hydration belt too. The next four miles felt effortless too. I ate some more energy chews at mile 8 before I turned onto the hill at reservoir rd. Reservoir went okay - I didn't walk it, which was my only goal. I started to hit a wall around mile 10, but I knew that I was in the last 1.5 miles or so. We were cutting down a new road for us yesterday. I was so excited until I reached that point, turned the corner and saw one of the biggest hills that I had ever seen. I hate hills anyways, never mind when I'm hitting a wall hard. At first, my mind started taking over and I gave myself permission to walk the hill - I mean, I'd already run 10 miles - wasn't that enough? When I got to the bottom of the hill, I was determined to not stop and walk. I knew that I must have been relatively close to Hanover St - which is all downhill to the store, so I decided that I would just run it. As soon as I got to the top and started running down-hill, I noticed there was another huge hill up ahead - but I conquered that one as well! 

I did it - 11.7 miles without walking! I know that I am going to be able to run the half course - especially since we are lucky enough to train ON the half course. I was tired, sore, and chafed - but I did it. 

  

 This morning I had a 5k. It was the Foot Race for the Fallen and is put on by the Manchester Police Department to remember the four fallen officers that have been killed in the line of duty. I was still hurting from yesterday (from the chafing and just sore muscles), plus I started developing some sinus and congestion issues, so I almost skipped.. I started making excuses - I just ran 11.7 miles yesterday, I'm sick, I already paid my registration fee to this great cause, I didn't need to be there.. Well, I am so glad that I got my butt out of bed and went. 

First, it was the perfect fall running day today. I was actually a little overdressed, but managed to make it through. However, above all, this was just an amazing, humbling experience. When Sean and I were standing and chatting together, former Governor John Lynch came right up next to us - which was pretty cool. He was chatting with somebody who looked important, and I didn't realize that he was actually the Mayor of Manchester - also pretty cool. But that wasn't even the coolest part of the race.

At the starting line were two fire trucks with a gigantic American flag on display. There was somebody who was running in a very patriotic get up - American flag shorts and all!. The former governor and mayor said a few words and we were off! Shortly after we started running, I heard singing. There was a group of officers that were running in formation and singing throughout the entire race. For some reason, I just got very emotional and it made me tear up. I was determined to fight my hardest for this 5k and these fallen officers. I looked up my previous personal best 5k time - which was 37:57 in September of 2012. I really wanted to beat it. 

I thought that I was on track to beat it, but apparently lost some time along the way. I ended up finishing in 38:14. While I didn't PR, I was still happy with the time since I was coming off such a long run yesterday (as well as fighting a cold!). My Nike+ running app said that I actually did 3.21 miles - which might be possible. Although the course is certified, depending on factors such as weaving around people and cutting corners wider than  measured, I might have actually done 3.21 miles, which would have meant a PR, even though I can't count it. There are two things that I was upset about. As I was coming into the finish, an officer waived a car across in front of me. I was so close to the intersection at the point the car came across that I had to stop and wait for a few seconds before I could start up again. I'm also bummed that I didn't wear my GPS watch. I haven't been wearing it lately, because I've been wanting to focus on how I feel during a run instead of focusing on (obsessing over) my pace. However, I wish I wore it for this race. I feel like had I known I was so close to PR that I would have been able to push a little harder to beat my time. 

Now that I've whined about these two things, I'm dropping it. This is my fastest 5k time all year. It is also one of two of the races that I completed this year without taking a walk break. So, while I wish I would have PRd this time, I am happy with my accomplishment!