Last long run

We got our last "long run" in today. I was a tiny bit nervous to see how my legs would feel, but after an espom salt bath the night before a good night's sleep, I was ready to get out there and run for more than an hour. I had planned an 8 mile loop starting at Gravley Point, across the 14th Street Bridge, around the Tidal Basin and down into Hains Point...and back.

We had wanted a feel for the solitude we're going to feel when we hit that point during the marathon. Because in Marine Corps you're coasting down Ohio Drive, the crowd starts to thin out a bit and BAM! you hit East Potomac Park (aka Hains Point) and it's empty...except for the two water stops and a couple of brave spectators. The Park is more than two miles long (you run out and back), but it seems to go on forever. Of course it also hits at a difficult point in the race, miles 16-20. This is when a lot of people "hit the wall". Personally, I don't believe in the wall. The wall is all in your mind and if you go into a race saying "I won't hit the wall", then you won't. It's all a matter of mindset.

Perfect example: last year we came up on the 16 mile marker coming into Hains Point and the ball of my right foot hurt in a way I never experienced. I had been a little worried about other aches and pains during the first half of the race, but they were all familiar. This new pain could have easily set me over the edge and pushed me into the wall, but I told myself "well, I only have ten miles left...and I've already done 16 so I might as well keep going." Not logical, but it was the mindset I had for the rest of the race.

We took it easy today, though I couldn't really tell since we didn't have mile markers to do splits. Shoes feel like they're getting broken in and any stiffness in my shins melted away at the magic 3-mile point. My knees were a little sore so they got a good icing when I got home. But it was the perfect temperature for my long sleeve pink Hind top and my cropped running pants, (one of my favorite running outfits) mostly because the wind was really kickin' on the bridge. I hope the weather is similar next week, but only if I have somewhere warmer than the Pentagon parking lot to hang out for the hour before the race!

Lunchtime run

One of the perks of my office is the gym/locker room in the basement. Not that there's much to it, but 1. it's free and 2. it allows me to go out during the middle of the day and get in a run and shower all in my hour lunch break. I esepcially love doing this during the winter months when I'm driving to work in the dark and leaving work in the dark; I just need a little time outside to remind myself that the sun does exist.

Yesterday was one of those days. I had been pretty grouchy that I hadn't been able to run, but with a gorgeous 70 degree fall day I couldn't help myself. I felt better and wanted to get out and do one of my favorite 3 mile loops. I call that loop the "Monument loop". How cool is it to get out and see the White House, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument (and the Capitol off in the distance) in roughly 30 minutes. When I have more time, often after work, I'll tack on another mile and go around the Tidal Basin to see the Jefferson Memorial. There are very few big intersections to cross along 17th Street so it makes for pretty ideal city running and the shady part along the Reflection pool is awesome when it's a bit hotter. I'm always amazed at how many other runners are out there during the day too.