What does running 20 miles feel like you ask....

It feels great! No, really, it did, but not in the way you are thinking. Sure, it hurt, it was hot as all get out, and it took hours, but it was the best I have ever felt in, well, I'm not sure my whole life, but its up there in the top 5!

After I had hit the 5 mile mark on Saturday it was as if I just hit my groove, and it all started to become effortless. My feet were moving and my arms were swaying in perfect sync and I was mentally clear. I tried to simulate race day and pace as much as possible so I could be prepared for what that would be like. I kept my pace card with me during the run and aimed to follow the 4:35:00 marathon finish time pace.

Here's a picture of me at mile 10 after I had just turned around and was heading back out for another 10...I was going too fast for Ernie's lens so I had to turn around to pose :) This is really genuine happiness...

I encountered the most challenges from miles 15-20 naturally, but they were good learning experiences. When I was approaching mile 15 I started to feel a bit lightheaded and not 100%, so when I reached the water stop I took a 1 minute break to collect myself and get my head back to normal. I think I started to experience some over-hydration, as I was consuming a lot of fluid on the course, more than I needed perhaps.

Miles 15-18 I got a bit faster and was really pushing myself to stay on pace with my goal finish time, which was 20 miles in 3:35:00. I had gotten behind slightly from extended pauses at the water stops, but I was doing a pretty good job of making up the time during the run itself, so I was feeling confident. After I hit mile 18 I got really excited 1) because I knew I only had 2 miles to go, and 2) because I was beating a new mileage goal as 18 is the longest I had ever run.

Here is a shot of me around mile 17-18...as you can see the singlet was no where in sight, it was so freaking hot outside I was forced to strip it off :)

I would be lying if I said the last 2 miles were easy, because they weren't, but they were the most meaningful. I have to send a huge THANK YOU to Coach Sandy for following me the last two miles on her bike and keeping me motivated, without her I'm not sure how strong I would have finished. The weirdest thing did start to happen to me around this time, I got cold! I was sweating bullets but having goosebumps at the same time! My body temperature started to drop, which I have heard is normal, but still strange. I can understand now why it's so important to thrown on a sweatshirt or towel of some kind when you finish the marathon to bring your temp back up so you don't get sick.

As I caught a glimpse of the finish line I pulled together all of the energy I had left in my and sprinted to the end, and was able to finish in 3:42:00. Not exactly on target with my goal pace, but, I know the next time I run this distance, on race day, it will be easier, and all of the adrenaline from the crowd and the race atmosphere will keep my on track.

The most important thing I discovered after running 20 miles though...

I am soo ready for this marathon and I can't wait!!!