Hill, Stride, GOAL!

Phew! It was rough but I got 100 miles under my belt for the month. Yay me. Here are the sordid details of the run that put me over the century mark. Since my weekend was filling up pretty quickly, I decided to get this long run over with on Friday.  At the minimum I needed to run 11.25 miles to hit a hundred, so I set out to run 12.

Come Friday morning, I woke up late (as I had stayed up ridiculously late) and boy did I every NOT want to set out into the sunshine and get my run on. First I had to make sure I was fully carbo-fueled, fully hydrated before I set out. Then I had to let my food settle and digest. Well, then I had to put sunscreen on and you know, you have to let sunscreen sink in for 30 minutes before you head out into the UV lit world. 

So finally, I suit up and leave the house. And my legs feel like lead. I have no energy. I don't want to do this. I run up the short hill. It's hard. I run back home for a bathroom break. I run back out and make my way toward the big hill. Not even half way up the Hilly Grail, I am dripping sweat. Literally. I mean it. This usually doesn't happen until round two up the Hilly Grail. I'm in trouble. I am going to have to fight tooth and nail to the finish. But I start making deals with myself, "Run 8 miles today, and 4 tomorrow. No, wait, run 6 miles today and then 6 miles tomorrow." 

OK, long story short. I gave myself permission to take my time, walk as much as I need to but I had to make 12 miles. Once I gave myself that kind of room, I settled in for the long haul. 

I completed my 12 miles and then some and it took me FOREVER. But hey...I dunno. That's all I got.