Marathon Training Update = 16 Miles!

Wow! I can't believe I have not posted anything in over a month! (I still need to post my race report from the UCF 5 Miler, but since it didn't go so well I've not been in a hurry. You can read the recap at dailymile).

Marathon training has been a bit frustrating because my knee has been acting up, making me doubt whether I'll be able to make it to the start line without injury. I keep forgetting that training for marathon is more than a physical challenge and it takes a toll emotionally as well. I had a small break down yesterday because of my knee issues, but this morning's 16.1 miles run lifted my spirits and renewed my confidence that I can complete a marathon.

Highlights from today's run:

• Stats:
• 16.1 in 3:39:31 @ 13:38 min/mile pace! 
• I was expecting to average closer to 14 or 14:30 or even 15, so I'm thrilled with this pace -- especially since we ran using 1:1 intervals!
• Distance PR by 3 miles! 
• The best part of marathon training is that every 2-3 runs is the furthest/longest run of my life! =)
• Weather: 
• The cool weather helped a ton. 
• I wore my arm warmers for the first 8 miles and was a bit cold when I took them off after that, but the temp was comfortable throughout. 
• Nutrition: 
• I tried a Vanilla/Orange GU Roctane Gel before starting, a Plain GU after the first 8 miles, and ate some shotblocks, sports beans, and fruit snacks throughout. I seemed to be always be starving.
• I still don't love the gels, but they are tolerable and seem to really help fuel these long runs. 
• Pain: 
• The knee behaved for the most part. I wore a compression sleeve over it, and that offered enough support to keep it from hurting. 
• I had a bit of a scare at mile 9ish when I stepped wrong causing a shooting pain on my knee. I immediately stopped and walked, and it seemed to disappear by the next run interval. 
• The knee was a little achy/sore for the last 4-6 miles, but obviously not a show stopper. 
• I'm a little sore all over now, but nothing major. On the other hand, the chafing in unusual places sucks!
• Route:
• We ran to Brandywines and back for 8 miles, then returned to the school.
• We then ran 2 miles to Cady Way, 2 miles on the trail, and 2 miles back to the school for a total of 14 miles.
• I was the only one running 16, so I did an extra loop from the school to the lake and back.

I'm glad next Saturday is low millage so I can recover a bit, but I'm exited for the 18 miler in 2 weeks!