My First Marathon (x2)

Credit goes to Rhi Johns for the title, it's how she described her race yesterday...and fitting for my final 20 before Detroit. While "fall" began this week it has still been flirting with 90 degrees and we've had three ozone action/air quality alert days in a row in Indy.  I started my run early, knowing that it was going to be an icky day.  It was 67 degrees with 92% relative humidity when I started the run.  Even though I don't often weigh myself before a long run because I know I am carrying a bit of extra water and carb loading weight, I did because I knew I would need to know how much I lost on this run. I ran the first 4 miles in the dark with lights, since I started at 6:40 AM.  On street through the hills on 75th Street over to the Monon.  Pace was slower that desirable, but in the dark I wasn't taking risks.  I got to the deck as the last Indy Runners were taking off and I had missed the instructions.  I knew the group was running a loop ...

I've had a good training week.  My coach reviewed my past training block and had good things to say and was happy with my speedwork on Tuesday.  I had a strong long run today and was able to run negative splits during the "fast finish" portion of it.  Also several people said that I looked smaller every time they saw me or that I was the incredible shrinking woman.  All happy. Later I was texting with a friend who is one of my superheroes.  She said I reminded her that she needed to want it more than anything else.  We didn't say it, but we were talking about Ironman. It got me thinking about what I wanted it more than, I want to hear "Rose Scovel from Indianapolis, Indiana YOU are an IRONMAN" more than I want: Cookies Frosting Chips Fried food Milkshakes Alcohol Pizza Cinnamon toast Waffles Coffee cake Sleeping in on Saturday Being cool Being warm Being dry Smelling good Great hair Money/a higher paying job A new car A nice yard A s...