Well, I can now say I've completed 10 miles, but wow, it was NOT easy.
The day started out cold, so Hubby and I were all layered up. By mile 5, we were stripping off everything we could. Luckily we'd gone 2.5 out and 2.5 back to the car and were able to drop off extra clothes, gloves, etc. (For some reason, a lot of the water fountains around the lake where we do long runs are not working right now, so we planned the 10 miler as two legs, with a water refilling stop at the car.)
Hubby completed the WDW marathon 2 weeks ago and has been struggling a bit getting back into training. He had a cramp during his first 3 miler early this week and had a severe cramp at 6.5 yesterday (cramps usually aren't an issue for him till after mile 18). So I went on without him.
We both have Garmins. We'd been using his for our intervals and mine for overall pace and time, so without the interval alarms, I ran "too much" and too fast. This is consistently my problem. I have NO sense of pacing. What feels right to me is too fast for endurance running. 3 miles, yes. 10 miles, NO.
So I blew through mile 7 and into 8 and about 8.5 started sucking wind. And my right calf was threatening to cramp. I've never had that before. And I even ate during this run--I don't usually bring anything to eat, but I tried out the GU Blocks (I like 'em. I'll buy them again)--and Hubby spiked my water with Gatorade. So the near-cramp was nerve-wracking, and it didn't help that after that point the wind picked up (cold again!) and I was running into the wind after I'd pushed myself too hard. So I had a nice 1.5 mile mental whipping session back to the car. I did get a chill when I saw 10 miles on my Garmin, but it didn't come with a second wind and I just had to schlog on.
The first thing I said to Hubby when I got to the car was: "I have no business doing this." He said, "get out of the car and stretch."
Tough love. So I complained into the car while I stretched and he pep-talked.
The thing he said that got me was in response to me saying (wailing, really), "I don't have 3 more miles in me." He said, "in 5 weeks, you will!"
AHA moment: Again, I'm pushing too hard too fast. "Training." I am in training, it is a process, not a single moment. Follow the plan. Work the plan. Don't skip steps in the plan.
Anyhoo, Hubby talked me down Later, I scrolled through each mile of the run on my Garmin and was happy to see I was under the sweeper's pace each and every mile (13-14). So that also helped.
This was a HARD run. Glad it's behind me. Hoping next week is less "eventful." Last week's 9 was a physical effort but mentally easy; there were long stretches when I wasn't aware of time passing, was just enjoying the scenery, telling myself, "keep going till you see the car."
I think the mental aspect of endurance running is hardest for me.
Today I feel pretty good. No aches or pains. The knees complained a bit yesterday afternoon/evening when we met up with friends. But they're quiet today.
Hope everyone has a happy, easy week and lots of feel-good miles!
My husband lived in upper Michigan through his formative years and when I complain about the cold he reminds me they use to run water from the tap and then throw it out the door just to watch it freeze before it hit the ground. Here we get antzy if there is frost on the ground 
I'm at work now but hoping to get out of here to attempt my long run today. I'm super scared but I think i'm going more for time on my feet than pushing hard for distance. I'm kinda hoping that when I'm actually there, the adrenaline will give me an extra little push..... 
)
18 degrees when I was out, and actually it was pretty nice. I prefer cooler running weather, I just don't love all of the snow and ice. I have some spikes for my shoes and definitely used them yesterday in some parts of my run...stopping for the on again off again depending on the surface got old, but it helped me to know that if I want to slow down or stop for some of the festivities at the race it won't hurt my time too much.
who was a bit scared and spent most the night exploring her new home. She's an 8 month old Ragdoll and is just too cute for words. My other cat is still sniffing her out, but I think they'll both come around in the next day or two
OH, no!!!!! Yes, please, please get yourself some running shoes.
