T minus 7 weeks

I've done only 3 runs since I last posted, but 2 were long runs, for a total of 18 miles.  This may have been a stupid idea, but so far I'm doing okay.

I did a 7.25 mi long run last Saturday in 1:35 (13:08 pace).  The run felt okay.  I didn't feel like I pushed myself at all (which I guess is how you're supposed to do a long run if I understand it).  It was kind of choppy because I got an important phone call mid-run that I had to take, which took almost 10 minutes.  As a result, I completely lost my flow.  I got some minor hip soreness on my left side and lots of foot soreness again.  The weather was amazing though, cloudy (no sunburns!), 51 degrees, ever so slight breeze.  

Immediately after the run I drove 2 hours to the airport, flew 2 hours to Florida, then drove 2 more hours to my grandparents.  I can understand why it's not fun to fly home post-marathon and I only did 7 miles!!!  I was sore until Monday night, and due to weird sleeping and eating patterns, heat, and general business, didn't run again until Wednesday, and then only 2 miles (but at a sub-11:30 pace).

I flew back home Thursday, and worked Friday, so didn't run either of those days either.  Then Saturday I went out to do 8, but misjudged a bit and did almost 9 (8.7) in 1:49 (12:33 pace).  Again, my feet hurt, a lot.  But nothing else hurt one bit! AND I didn't walk! (Okay I walked a few times, for maybe 15 seconds, because I am physically incapable of running while drinking and not breathing water).  I feel confident about the pace because there was no stopping and waiting for lights or anything, so I didn't get any "artificial" rest built it to my times, all the drink break walking was while my watch ran.

I think this is how long runs are SUPPOSED to be!! I didn't think about anything most of the time, I just ran.  And I had a GOOD time!  Ahh... 

I am feeling slow, but I am feeling good about this race.