13 miles

Last week was pretty rough. I am covered in bug bites and have been for 2 weeks. I called the doctor after an Rx cream didn't do anything for them and am now on steroids. They make me feel not stellar. I pretty much just don't like myself and am agitated by everything. Just a couple more days of those...but the bug bites seem to be going strong still.

At Wednesday's Ultimate game, I got kicked in the lower right leg hard enough to make a nice, instantly-swelling contusion that was super painful. I looked everything up online that night. It's a common injury with soccer and martial arts, so finding out what to do for it was easy: R.I.C.E.  After a very painful evening, it was manageable the next day, but I was still limping really bad. I stayed home from work and elevated and iced all day, while watching some Arrested Development. It was actually a very enjoyable day of doing nothing.

I was concerned I wouldn't be able to run long on Sunday. But every day, with the icing etc, it seemed to be getting better. Saturday morning, I considered a test run, but decided to bike instead, avoiding impact. I think that was a good decision. I went on an 18 mile bike from the house and my leg didn't hurt at all.

Sunday morning Casey and I started out for the 13, and I was very happy to have no pain. I didn't know...it was possible it was just going to hurt too bad. It hurt a little towards the end, when the trail was slanted such a way that my side muscles were taxed a little more. But it is absolutely fine.

I panicked Wednesday night for nothing :) I have just had such good momentum going with my training...I'm getting faster, getting fitter...I was so saddened to have to stop. And I certainly thought I was going to be out for a week at least. I think taking Thursday off was critical in getting it better quicker.

So...today's 13 miles were pretty fantastic. We started out around a 10 to 10:05 pace, bouncing around that, for the first 9 miles. But after the break for more water at the Train Stop Inn's area, I was hurting. My hip hurt (same leg as the contusion, so maybe there was some compensation happening) and I just didn't feel like I could keep the pace without really huffing and puffing. We slowed a bit and then the last 3 miles were pretty rough for me. I shuffled along.

Mile splits:
mile 1-- 10:08
mile 2 -- 9:54
mile 3 -- 10:08
mile 4 -- 10:00
mile 5 -- 10:07
mile 6 -- 10:13  (took a break at 6.5)
mile 7 -- 10:16
mile 8 -- 9:53
mile 9 -- 10:20 (took a break after 9)
mile 10 -- 10:46
mile 11 -- 11:16
mile 12 -- 11:26
mile 13 -- 11:12

Look at that. Only 3 miles over 11 pace. And two under 10 :)

I suppose I lasted longer at the pace we wanted to run than the prior long run's pace. So overall I am still very very happy about the pace!!! When is the last time I've ran 9 miles that fast!?  Today's half marathon was faster than my Pig race by, something like a half hour maybe??

So... good good run. I'm excited to be getting up into the higher mileage now. And as always, thanks to Casey for being an awesome running partner.