Yesterday evening, I volunteered at Pacers’ Crystal Run 5k. I helped out with handing out bibs/chips before the race and then headed over to the finish line, planning to hand out waters to finishers. Well, in one of those cases of being in the right place at the right time, I got to be one of the people who got to hold the banner that the leading runner ran through. In fact, I got to do it twice – once for the first man and then again for the first woman. I’m pretty sure that I was more excited to get to do that than the winner runner was to win! My endorphin high from that was nearly as good as if I’d actually run the race.
The only negative was that I didn’t really eat dinner and I certainly didn’t drink enough. I had a small dinner when I got home and drank a couple of glasses of water. Then I headed to bed early. Unfortunately, I am a night owl, so just getting in bed early did not equal falling asleep early. The alarm (AKA Beer Geek) woke me up a bit after 5 and it took me almost 45 minutes to get out of bed. I was absolutely convinced my 20 miler was going to suck.
I was wrong!
I headed out just after 6:30, when it was nice and cool (45 degrees) with a plan of drinking every two miles and GU at miles 5, 10, and 15. I ended up doing most of my run in a nearby neighborhood that had quiet, shady streets and rolling hills, but no big hills. I wanted an average pace of 10:30, but wasn’t sure I’d be able to manage it.
Mile 1: 10:28
Mile 2: 10:34
Mile 3:10:45 (walked to drink)
Mile 4: 10:28
Mile 5: 10:46 (walked to drink)
Mile 6: 10:51 (gu)
Mile 7: 10:26 (walked to drink)
Mile 8:10:12
Mile 9: 10:22 (walked to drink)
Mile 10: 10:17
Mile 11: 10:52 (gu)
Mile 12:10:27
Mile 13:10:42 (walked to drink)
Mile 14:10:11
Mile 15:10:21 (walked to drink)
Mile 16:10:46 (gu)
Mile 17:10:20 (walked to drink)
Mile 18:10:06
Mile 19:10:04 (walked to drink)
Mile 20: 10:03
20 miles in 3:29:00, first 10 in 1:45:08, second 10 in 1:43:52, with a 10:27 average pace. I even felt like I could have run another 6 miles, although it would have been slow going. I learned two key things today: Vanilla bean GU is my best fueling option and if I stay focused, taking a very short walk break to drink does not hurt my times.
After the run, we headed out for lunch and I made sure to refuel with a nice Russian Imperial Stout, proving once again that I will run for beer. Even better, I scored a lovely growler cooler (will also work for wine bottles or water) that will be included in my B.I.G. giveaway in May.*
*That would be the Beer is Good Giveaway. Don’t forget my GU giveaway that is going on now!
nice job! I like how you wrote out all your times and when you hydrated and GUed!
That would be amazing to hold the finish tape! So exciting!!! Congrats on the strong 20-miler this morning. Must have been nice for everything to go right.Enjoy the rest of your weekend! More beer? 🙂
Awesome job on the run! I did 20 today too. 🙂
Nice job on the 20-miler! 🙂
What a great run. I'm impressed.
Congrats for being to check off 20 miles today:) You did good! I am volunteering for a trail marathon in May and looking forward to it:) Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Congrats – glad you got it done and it was good!
Wow- you made that 20 miler seem easy! (I know it isn't). Strong work!!
Good job with the negative splits! I am impressed that you felt like you could go another 6 miles. I always feel dead!
great job mcm!! what a difference a day makes!!! I want to get to one of the crystal city runs!!
Well done. well, well done. 🙂
Strong long run with a negative split in the second half! Well done.Beer Is Good giveaway? I'm there, dude!
Very consistent times! And that just goes to prove you just don't know what kind of run you are going to have until you get out there! Super strong run!
How cool are you holding the winner's tape? Cool!Great 20! Nice to have that sucker in the bag isnt' it? I too am loving vanilla right now.
Great job on the 20 miler!! That is awesome!Holding the banner for the top finishers would have made my day too! I would have loved to do that!!
Nice job, I like how you rewarded yourself after that run! (Does your husband snore too?!?!)
AWESOME job finishing your long run…and feeling so strong at the end!
GOOD WORK!! Love the confidence building runs!!I had Gu issues this weekend, could not swallow it.. UGH! So I am back to the drawing board to find some nutrition I can for sure take in. JEEPERS! what do those masters runners use?? LOL
awesome times on the 20-miler! you're looking strong!!I didn't see you Friday night, but I was man-handling a very excited puppy, so I missed a few people. How awesome, to hold the tape!!!
WOW! Great job getting the 20-miler done. I'm so glad you waited!
AWESOME! What a great 20-miler! Gotta love when you're expecting the worst, but end up with a good one despite thinking suckage is going to happen! Score!
Great job on the 20 miler!