RFE TR #40

Total Miles Trained For Elijah: 320.1

17 miles - DONE.

I was pretty sleepy this morning at 5:30; I even hit the snooze button once, but got up before it went off. Chasen's mother is visiting, so I tried to be as quiet as possible while getting prepared to hit the road. Prior to leaving I told myself that I was really going to mind my pace today. I usually just get out there and try to do my best and finish the run... which is fine... but one can always try to pick it up a bit!

I hit 'start' at exactly 6:30 AM. I must say that I did pretty well. Mile 3 was a bit slow due to hills and 'dilly-dallying' but I got my game together after that. I was running on a road that I had never gone particularly this far on -- and guess what -- hills hills hills. I took it all in stride. HA! Now that's punny.

I sailed past the start of last week's World Wide Half Marathon Challenge. That was officially new territory for me. Racetrack Road came fairly quickly. I saw neither horses nor a racetrack... but there were some nice homes back there. I thought I might see Chasen and Beth (aka mother-in-law) at that point, but no such luck. I finally gave him a call at mile 9 as I was taking a break. He was on his way. Then, as always, we couldn't locate each other, so we didn't actually meet until mile 12. At that point I got a massage. Ain't life grand?!?

He followed me with his flashers on for the final five miles. La-tee-dah! Once I finally hit mile 15 I was really, really feeling it. I told him that at least I wasn't Maddy, Shirley or Petra -- after all, those brave souls had marathons to run this weekend! I had a mere two miles to go. 17 is no 26.2; we all know that.

On pure desire and thoughts of Elijah, I finished the last 2 miles. And in good fashion, judging by my splits. Take a look.

Mile 1: 12:15
Mile 2: 12:34
Mile 3: 13:37 (dilly-dallying)
Mile 4: 12:33
Mile 5: 12:23
Mile 6: 11:43 (wow!)
Mile 7: 12:31
Mile 8: 12:09
Mile 9: 13:09 (not so wow...)
Mile 10: 11:59 (wow!)
Mile 11: 12:45
Mile 12: 11:32
Mile 13: 12:38
Mile 14: 11:58 (wow!)
Mile 15: 11:42: (wow!)
Mile 16: 12:06
Mile 17: 11:07 (wow!)
Total: 3:28:49
Average: 12:17 per mile

I would like to officially toot my own horn. Can you believe my average was 12:17? I am so happy with that. My ankle did well, also. Not perfect, but well. I have it wrapped now for the rest of my going-out-and-about with our guest.

Six weeks until the marathon. Holy cow!