Wow I ran for a long time today. I didn’t realize it was close to three hours until now!
Time: 2:59:37
Distance: 22.13 miles
Average Pace: 8:07 per mile
Even after crashing pretty early last night, I still slept in a little bit until 7:30. I got a solid 10 hours of sleep to help make up for those early wake up calls I go through everyday during the week. I was BEAT last night and slept like a rock! I had a little trouble falling asleep initially because of the wild party going on below me, but once I fell asleep, it would have taken a tornado to wake me up. I probably could have slept longer, but I was really excited about the long run I had planned for this morning. The sooner I wake up, the sooner I get to run 
I was really anxious to run, so I put off having a full breakfast. I just had a cup of coffee and a banana with peanut butter so I could get out the door within 30 minutes. I also wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather we are currently experience. 45 degrees and sunny? Does it get any better for running?
I felt really “weighed down” when I first started. I was carrying my fuel belt, two gels, AND my iPod. I’m not sure why I brought my iPod with me today, but I thought it would come in handy. I usually never bring it with me when I run, mainly because I don’t like to carry it, but three hours is a long time to entertain myself. I was worried I would run out of things to think about! Haha.
I felt a lot better after I dropped my fuel belt off at my normal drop off point. I decided to do a different loop today, but it still intersected with my hiding spot for my fuel belt. I say “hiding spot” because I hid it in some bushes where no one can see it. The last thing I need is for someone to steal it or dump out my water or something. Trust me, people do that. I had an incident over the summer where someone actually stole my handheld water bottle. I did the same thing with it, but I didn’t hide it. I came back thirty minutes later and it was gone! That was 20 bucks down the drain…
I actually felt pretty fresh today. I’m not sure if it was the easy run yesterday, a good nights sleep, or it was just one of those days. The thirty minutes or so were pretty slow and my calves were REALLY tight, but once I got warmed up, I felt great. It took me a little longer to warm up for my long run because I headed out immediately upon waking. I am usually up for quite awhile before my long runs and I am pretty loose and stretched out. I’ve been really tight directly behind both of my kneesl ately. Its hard to tell if it my hamstring or my calves. Any suggestions for loosening this area up? I’m not having any pain at all; it just feels really tight and stiff when I wake up in the morning.
I did exactly 4 loops and took water on all of them. I took my Clif shots on the last two, but I wish I had brought another one. I started to run out of gas after about 15 miles because of the lack of substance in my breakfast, my the Clif shots held me over well enough to finish the run. I seriously love Clif shots. They sit really well in my stomach compared to actual “energy chews”. They also taste really really good. The mocha one tastes like candy 
I immediately came home, drank a smoothie, and took a 2+ hour nap. I woke up around 2:00 and felt like I was going to knaw my arm off! I’m probably going to regret not stretching and foam rolling tomorrow, but I did wear my recovery socks I laid down on the couch to drink my delicious peanut butter and banana smoothie and the next thing I knew it was 2:00 PM. I feel like I accomplished absolutely nothing. It is 9:00 PM and I haven’t done an ounce of homework yet. I guess that means I am not doing any today! Haha. I did clean my apartment and make macaroni and cheese for dinner. That is something right? That was seriously the best meal I have ever made in my apartment. No joke. It was that good. I was moaning like a cow while I was eating it. I used gouda cheese and it tasted like HEAVEN. The best part is that I have leftovers The worst part is that my stomach will be shot tomorrow for the dairy 
Totally worth it though.
Time to catch up on some blogs and hit the hay early again. I get to wake up at 5 AM tomorrow. Lucky me!
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Mmmm gouda in mac and cheese…sounds heavenly!
i had the same problem last night with a party going on somewhere around me. oh well. my favorite stretch to get the area i think youre describing is to sit on the floor with one leg outstretched and then you try to grab your toes on that foot. don’t know if it’s the area youre describing.
oh yeah, and awesome long run. with a couple 20s under your belt are you close to taper time?
I get the same pain behind my knees when I run, and I always have!
A physical therapist once told me the best thing I could do was the “Presidential fitness test” stretch. Put your legs straight out in front of you and reach for your toes. He told me to do this every morning whether it was a running day or not.
It has definitely helped. I usually only get the pain one day a week now instead of every time I run.
Hope that helps! You are right…that is perfect running weather!