My main goals were to finish and to work on starting out slow. Both were completed, but not necessarily the race I wanted. It was an out and back on paved trail with very little crowd support, but the weather was perfect. The first 10 miles I was very cautious and tried to keep a 9 minute pace as much as possible. I hit the turn around at 1:29:30 and headed back. I was feeling pretty good and was running about 8:50ish. Had to stop at a port-a-potty at Mile 13 and just couldn't get it together after that. I just did what I could to finish and ended right at 3:05. I was really hoping for 3:00-3:02, but I'll take it. The last time I did 20 miles I was at 3:07:30ish. So it was 2:30 faster, but not as fast as I wanted and I didn't feel as good as I wanted. I had hoped keeping a 9 minute pace early would make the way back easier. No such luck.
I have mixed feelings if this gives me more or less confidence for the marathon. In some ways, I know I have gotten in more longs runs than when I trained for Chicago. I have gotten in a 17 mile run, 2 18 mile runs and 2 20 mile runs. And I still have this weekend for decent mileage. On the other hand, I was hoping for better out of this run, so who knows. Some days you have it and some days you don't.
Let's just hope I have it December 8th. Either way, I will finish it!
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