How good it is...

Ahhhhhhh.....finally showered, sitting, eating....how sweet it is. 

This morning's 24 mile run is a run I'd like to repeat, do everything the same, feel exactly the same, align everything up--if only.  Tried a few new things today, all went smoothly.  Wore the race day outfit, all felt well.  Ran the race course, perfect.  I think I'm ready.

First 10 miles felt insanely awesome, no quirks, no problems, no nothing!  Kept a steady pace with some friends, holding back on the reigns so there's more energy towards the end.  Ate 5 Chomps at the start.  Had a Honey Stinger supplement by mile 6.  At mile 12, ate 6 1/2 dollar size pancakes that I had made earlier that morning (made with bananas).  Plenty of water along the way so far (since I had "planted" water bottles along the course the day before).   Strides were steady even by mile 16!  Still no quirks, no issues, feeling strong.  Accel Gel by mile 16.  Began running alone by this point, picked up the pace, kept an 8:00-8:30 from here till the finish.  Honey Stinger by mile 20.  Couldn't believe I was feeling great by mile 20, that's not usual for me!   Mile 21--this is where the race course leaves the trail and heads onto the roads to the finish line.  One last Accel Gel and water stop, rain began coming down a bit harder at this point, the air filled with that funny rain smell.  The wind had also picked up and that just added another challenge to deal with the last few miles.  But, I must say, still feeling strong.  Right knee started acting up a bit, but nothing more than usual.  Miles 22, 23, 24---all road, in the rain, but all done at an 8:05-8:11 pace.  Sprinted the last 100 yards and finished at the car!  Finished--3:35:40...So happy.

I haven't done a 22 or 24 mile run during my marathon training since 1991--when I trained for Honolulu marathon and ended up with stress fractures in both shins.  Haven't done that since.  But, even though I was a MUCH faster runner back then, I am SO much wiser now.  I have learned so much about running, conditioning, training, pacing, physical therapy, it has greatly helped me run more injury free days and allowed me to participate in 3-4 marathons/year. 

I'd love to be able to repeat this day on race day, but you know there's just no telling what that day will bring.  The taper now begins.