MY very best 20 miler EVER!!! 20 miles, AP 7 freakin 19!!!!! Can hardly believe it! (Granted it was on the course and included three 1-2 minutes hydration breaks). But still, 7:19, I'm ECSTATIC!!! Decided I could NOT do another long run on my own so woke up early and met Rachel, her hubby, and some of their friends at the St George Rec Center at 4:30 a.m. and drove 20 miles up the course. We were kind of spread out into a few groups and I had told myself that I was going to try and stay with one of the faster packs until the first water break (which included Veyo so I knew it would be hard for me). Did it ... and felt great! I then decided I would stay with them until the 10 mile mark. Wow, still with them. I told them that I was certain to start to fade but Bruce insisted that my breathing was fine and to make it to 15. Got to 15 and was feeling it but decided to continue to push. At that point it was me, Bruce, Tom and Bryan. My new goal was 17 miles. Made it, but we lost Bryan. I was really feeling it but did a quick head to toe check and new that I could hang on for one more mile. I did it! I was so proud of myself. I told Bruce and Tom to push hard the next mile so that they could finish strong. I was feeling weak and had given myself permission to fall back. They tried to talk me into staying with them but I told them that I was SUPER happy with what I had did and wanted to just try and get my breathing where I wanted it. They agreed and took off. I am happy to say that although I dropped back I managed a 7:24 on that final mile [which I was certain was an 8:24 pace (my eyes were deceiving me)]! I finished about 20 seconds behind them. THRILLED! Got home and decided to do two barefoot slow miles on my treadmill to cool down and loosen up. Followed by a contrast bath (6 minutes warm whirpool / 2 minutes ice bath x 3 = total of 24 minutes). I feel great! Happy Saturday! I think I am trained for a sub 3:20 at SGM if I run it right!!!! YES YES YES!!! That is a number I have been chasing for YEARS!!!! BTW, Aaron Metler was starting his 20 miler with one of his running partners at the same time we were. They said they were going to run 5:16!!! So my excitement about my time today is SO SO SO relative!!! Hence, I really really really try to never compare myself with anyone but myself because when I compare myself to those runners who are faster I get jealous and when I compare myself to those runners that are slower I get prideful --- I think I'll pass!! BUT WOW ... 5:16!! That's stinkin' crazy lightning fast!!!! :-) | 
