Are we there yet? No? Ok...

That's what goes through my head with these runs. Today a timed run of 2 hours and 45 minutes. I figured I'd hit 17 miles judging from last week's pace. Planned a route as exciting as it could be. 

Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, & back to Brooklyn. One word: Tiring

It's super hard to run/ plan routes knowing that not many places are unfamiliar and taking the risk of running new territory can be a hit or miss because it can be super crappy for pedestrians. Taking a chance of running in Queens is big enough a challenge on the regular with their retarded streets, much less running through it to get to the county of Kings. Major Meh. But it got done. I took a small break at 5 Pointz to take a few pics. Thanks to Bridge Runners I actually learned about this spot. Lookie!

So I start.. run run run run.. fuel at 5.5.... run some more.... refuel at 11. 5. I didnt realize that i had run another 6. Yes, it sounds completely asinine not realizing that. If you run or ran as much as I did, you kinda zone out and suddenly you look at your watch and be like holy crap. 11 miles.. better refuel. Ok- maybe I should be putting gas in the tank earlier but honestly, I feel ok.  Hitting mile 13 feels like tee-rash. Let's just blame that on the fact i ran half a marathon and I have another half to go when I know I'd rather be (insert much more pleasant less strenuous activity). But funnily enough before I hit 14 i was back on the good foot (no pun intended) and kept trucking. 

The last 3 were seemingly a blur as I readjusted my route on the way back home for sake of convenience. I was able to accomplish *drumroll*

17.2 Miles

I expect my legs to just flip me the bird via middle toe and walk away. I was tired, and tight. But I felt accomplished having run my longest distance yet.  Stretch. Buy a bag of ice. Sit in tub for 15. Ice baths are (un)welcomed but after this run I really just did it in a natural flow of movements. No hesitation getting into the tub either. Pretty dope.

In other news,

Fundraising ensues.. Ill post on that later because I dont feel like typing more. 

7 MORE WEEKS. We are getting there folks. We are getting there. 

Til next run

Danni

And I run.. I run so far away

Blogging live from Union Square. A couple of years ago there (like 2 literally) it was a struggle to get some wifi but I have full bars and a girl is chillin. Bought a bottle of water and 3 cupcakes. And my mac is at 91 %. Life is good. Can't really complain. 

More than halfway through training. Distance increasing every week, partially to my dismay but it's pretty exciting to be able to run these distances and not pass out. Granted I have been making sure I do what I need to do so that that doesn't happen including hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, adequate sleep and fuel before and during my run. It's hard, I won't lie. I am pushing my upper limits of distance. The most I have ever ran was 17 miles and I am getting up there now. Pretty excited. At the same time my dream of finishing sub 4 hours for the marathon is a little intimidating. Honestly hoping that my 9:23 pace increases at the race instead of staying where it is now. Only time will tell...

I will say this about these upper levels of distance running. Monotony makes it so damn difficult.  I started switching up my running routes so I aint losing my mind. Which is fine, because we all know that a major part of running distance is mental. That part is fine. My legs tho... dear lord... I catch winds at odd miles like 7 and 11 but generally speaking, after 13 my legs feel like at any minute they may just walk away from me. Needless to say ice baths might just become a weekly thing. 

Anyhow, training continues. Yall be well. Dont forget to donate. 

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/chicago13/dannielle