Go slow to go far - My first 11 mile training run.

It's the 4th of July and I decided to do my weekly long run on this day, mainly because my weekend was pretty full.  My wife's work schedule would not have allowed me to do a long run, especially since I'd be watching the kids all day.  I just wouldn't be able to fit it in.

My mind was already set to do 10 miles, but 11 kept flashing in my head.  I said to myself that I've already done several 10 mile runs and I need to see if I can push past that, as I'm continuing to build mileage.  So, I started out and figured I would just see how I felt as I got into it.

I knew I would need to run at a slower pace, if I wanted to have energy for the latter part of this training run.  Of course the heat and humidity already had that taken care of, as I couldn't run much faster even if I wanted to.

My first mile was 13:43 and I figured that was a good pace.  It wasn't too hot at this point and there was a light breeze blowing... I was comfortable.

Fueling for this training run was also very important.  I figured I would fuel early and often to keep my body supplemented with the necessary nutrition to be strong throughout.

Around mile 3, I ate my Pure Protein protein bar.  I didn't want it to get soft and begin melting in the heat, since it was chocolate.  This would have been a complete mess. So, that was the first to go.

I felt pretty good.  I was moving along pretty steadily and around mile 4.5, I started to think about what I would do for water.  I really need to purchase a hydration vest for my long runs.  It has now become evident that I can't go without it.  I took a couple of dollars with me to stop at a gas station and pick up a water during the run.  I didn't think about how much I hate running with water bottles in my hands.  It's not fun and becomes somewhat of a distraction to me.

I get to mile 5 and I decide that I'm going to go for the 11 today.  So at the 5.5 mile mark I'll turn around and head on back.  Now, I like to do out and back training runs for the psychology of it.  I've seen the course already and I won't be finished until I get back to my car.  So, there's no need to get anxious and continuing to wonder "are we there yet"...

At about the halfway point (5.63 miles to be exact), there was a Shell gas station.  This was perfect, because I could get water, get A/C and get somewhat of a rest while waiting in line.  I stepped in the door and it was wonderful.  It felt like a refrigerator in there!!  The A/C felt so good on my legs!!  This was great... AND they had a little line that was formed, so I could enjoy this wonderful goodness for a few seconds more.

I bought my water, drank some and began my trek back to my car.  I felt OK at this point, but, my body knew that it had run 5.5 miles in the heat.

At mile 6, I took some orange flavored Clif Shot Blocks.  I normally take some more fuel around mile 7, but I needed some fuel already in my system at mile 7, so early and often.

Now, I don't know what got into me at this point, but during these long runs your mind tends to go places.  For whatever reason, I began to chant the words of
Sherman Klump, "Yes. I. Can.  Yes I Can" in my mind.  I don't know where it came from, but this was my mantra for a good part of the way back.

At mile 8, I was moving pretty steady.  I was feeling the effects of the heat and my water had already begun to lose it's coolness.  In fact it was almost luke warm by this point. I decided to take another Shot Block.

Around mile 9.75, a cyclist who I had seen on my way out was coming up behind me.  He shouted, "Good Job!! Great Way to Work!!" and passed me.  This was the encouragement I needed.  It came at the right place and at the right time.  I had a second wind!!  Where did that come from?!?!  That encouragement was provided in such a perfect moment that I literally got goose bumps!!  I was thankful, because my mind was in the middle of fighting a battle at this point.  My body wanted to quit, but my mind provided the determination to keep going.

That's a part of what I enjoy about this sport.  No one else can do it for you.  It's you vs. you.  Even in races, as runners, we're not really competing with others, we're competing against ourselves.  And if you're not mentally strong, you will lose that battle every time.

At this point, I had a renewed mindset.  I was ready to be done, but I was also ready to keep putting one foot in front of the other until I reached my goal.  Mile 10 came and went and I had officially run farther than I had ever run before.  I could've stopped at that point, but I set a goal and I was going to achieve it.  Not to mention, my car was still about a mile away.

I looked at my phone and Map My Run said 10.89 miles.  I was way too close to stop now.  All my water was gone by this point and it was just a matter of staying steady and continuing to move forward.  Before I knew it, I heard a voice say "Total distance 11 miles, time 2:30:14."  I smiled.  I did it.  I said Thank You and I began to walk to my car.