homemade pizza, a great 18 miles and a stiff left knee

yesterday morning was 18 miles. it took me almost 4.5 hours to knock it out, but knock it out, i did. i did, indeed. 

i overheard on the running trail a few weeks ago that every runner has at least two really bad runs while training for a race. i'm pretty sure that i've already had mine. the foggy 6 miler that caused heat exhaustion and dehydration definitely counts for at least one. And the ten-miler in the pouring rain with the lightening and thunder counts for the other one. i'm really hoping that those are my only two bad runs. 

runners are kind of superstitious. and i find myself pitching my tent in that camp a bit with my long run routines - what I wear, what I eat and even what order I get ready. yesterday's run was strong and steady and good. and so, of course, i think it's because of the homemade pizza don made me the night before. i've already requested it as my lunch/dinner on the Saturday before the marathon. that and mashed potatoes (another "i should totally be a supermarathoner" pre-long-run meal i've had).

before the run, i was fairly nervous. and was honestly questioning how it would go. but on the drive home, i was smiling from ear to ear. i couldn't stop laughing (by myself) and talking (again, to myself). that must be what runner's high is about. i was just totally ecstatic. i got home to an empty house (the hubs had the kids) - ate, showered, laid down (for about 40 minutes) - then i picked my 4-year old up at her friend's birthday party, ate some cake & ice cream and didn't feel the least little bit bad about it. and then had a great dinner party at the new home of some dear friends.

it wasn't until i got home and tried to fall asleep that i realized i was terribly achy sore all over. the only thing i can compare it to is when i was a waitress and on my feet for 8 hours or more at a time and your feet ache so bad that the pain that will literally keep you awake. i tossed and turned for a long time, waiting and hoping that i could drift off into sleep. i eventually did. and with the exception of a stiff left knee (which feels much better now that i've been icing it), i would barely know that i ran 18 miles yesterday. i'm impressed with my body for healing up and getting over everything. and i can't believe i'm going to do two more distances that are longer than 18 miles. 

20 miles is in just under two weeks. And the full marathon is on 10/12.  if those runs are anything at all like the one i had yesterday - i'll be ready (at long as I can get some of that pizza again...)