i ran 20 miles

so it took me 4 hours but i did it....

more later. too tired. still.

*UPDATE*

To date, this is my proudest running achievement. I'm not sure if it's really because of the distance or because my competitive spirit is coming out and this run is longer than Clayton has ever run himself.

It was a perfect day for a run: sunny and cool. We were on the water's edge and enjoyed a slight breeze, too. We started at the Berkeley Marina, just past the Doubletree hotel along side the Cesar Chavez Park, headed out to the biking path along the Highway 80 frontage heading north east. We past University Avenue, then into Golden Gate Fields at Gilman, up and over the parking lot, down past the stored hay, then back out towards the freeway, to Central Avenue, around Costco and to the Eastshore State Park, down the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Trail until the end of the Richmond Marina Bay Trail and ALL THE WAY BACK.

The hardest part for me was mile 1-3, mile 8-9, and mile 16-18. It takes the first couple miles just to get warmed up and into a rhythm. By mile 8 I'm wondering where the heck the mid-point turnaround is, and mile 16 I'm wondering if I'm close to done yet! I love mile 10 because I know I've finished half and I cruise the last couple of miles knowing I'm almost done.

Nutrients wise I heavily hydrated the night before (imaging having to go to the bathroom at least 5 times in 2 hours). The morning of I had oatmeal, half a gatorage and 2 Ibuprofen BEFORE the run. There were 7 waterstops along the way where I drank gatorade/water and had a few pretzels. I also brought along 1 packet of shot blocks (2 servings) which had 6 chewy blocks. I ate these over miles 8-16 or thereabouts. And I had one Gel around mile 17 for my last push to the end. I'm not sure what mix or intervals are best, but something seemed to work as I had energy throughout and didn't cramp up. Afterwards, I had half a bagel and cream cheese, half a banana, more gatorage and another Ibuprofen for kicks. As soon as I got home, I treated myself to an oh-so-lovely ice bath, followed by ice packs on each knee. My afternoon snack was spam musubi and hot tea lol.

I even managed to celebrate my birthday that evening as well :D