I started off my day at the doctors office. I had to take off work because this was the day for me to have my blood drawn again so they could do another lipid profile. If you recall from a couple months ago, the doctor said my number were kind of wonky and he just wanted to recheck. He thought maybe I didn't fast long enough. I didn't tell him I was up late the night before getting drunk on vodka.
So... daughter Carrie opened up the Y in my place, and I slept in until 7 am. I arrived at the lab just before it opened at 8 am, and was 8th in line. Fortunately it took less than an hour and I was back home.
My mom is visiting this weekend. It was supposed to be 'Grandparents Day' at the wee one's school, but that got postponed due to high covid numbers. At least the granddaughter has a volleyball tournament tomorrow that she can go to.
Anyway, once I got back this morning and had some breakfast, I decided to do my long run today instead of tomorrow (so I can go to the volleyball tournament too). 18 miles. I was dreading it like a root canal. Not necessarily because of anything... other than it being... EIGHTEEN MILES!
Fortunately it was a mild fall-ish morning. I finally got going around 10:30 (why does it take me so long to get going?). I hoped to take at least 3 1/2 hours. See, these long training runs aren't only about the miles, but about spending enough time on your feet too. The trainer I follow suggests they should be run 1-2 minutes per mile slower than what you intend for a race pace. I have as much trouble going slow as I do fast. I sort of just have "a pace."
I did manage to drag it out to 3 hours 20 minutes, which is right about at an 11-minute/mile pace. That included 3 gels and refilling my water bottle the corresponding 3 times (and, heck, I may have had to wait on cars or something too, but I can't remember).
I wore my shirt the first ~9 miles, then ditched it under the bridge again and picked it up for the last mile home. I went down Lower Huntington to Bluffton and looped around Foster Park 1 1/2 times, then down the greenway to the Tillman Park ball diamonds, then back around Foster one time, and then home. It worked out I had about a quarter mile walk at the end which was perfect.
Truth be told, I felt pretty good when I got done. It helped to be finishing at 2 pm instead of starting then. Everyone here was just heading off to the zoo, so I stretched, threw my legs up the wall, soaked in epsom salts, showered, and am now writing this. I'm feeling okay.
I wore my new/thinner toe socks, with a pear of socks over the top, and my Hokas. My feet were okay, but... I don't know. Something just doesn't feel right. Next week is the Fort4Fitness Half Marathon and I may try wearing my Brooks Ghosts with the old toe socks for that and just see how they feel.
I'm not entirely sure of plans for the rest of my mom's stay, but she's here from Thursday night until Sunday morning at least. The grand kids didn't know she was coming and it was neat to see their excitement when she arrived! I'm sure we will have some fun.
***
Isaiah 46:4
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
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