20 miler..CONTEST!!

"The Real Purpose of Running isn't to Win a Race: It's to test the limits of the Human Heart."

Running 20 miles is not for the weak at heart and running 20 miles SOLO can break you. Mentally you have to dig in deep.

You have to fight the elements, the emotions and the the essence of every square inch of your body.

I  left a Facebook post seeking someone to maybe jump on board to run a leg with me but I didn't get any takers solo I Go!

MUDD RUN

"Be Strong , and let your HEART take COURAGE...." Psalms 31:24

 Running that first mile I started to prepare myself MENTALLY.

As I ran down the road I started out in prayer. I thanked God for the incredible weather and asked God for strength mentally to conquer the next 3 hours of running. I thought of those who have been training for spring marathons and have had difficult long runs. I drew from their challenges and accomplishments.  

"Come What May, I want to RUN." 2 Samuel 18:23

Run run and more running! My first 7 miles were hilly and muddy. I broke my run into "runs". This helps me mentally prepare. I had mud dripping down the back of my legs and squishing between my toes. Nothing mattered but the RUN. The weather was amazing, there wasn't snow or sleet blasting my face. I could move my cheeks and my eyelashes weren't frozen.

"Let us RUN with Perseverance the Race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

After running 10 miles I added 1 minute walk breaks every 11 minutes. This allowed me to maintain a 8:35 pace. This also enabled my mind to stay strong. I look forward mentally to that walk break where I can calmly take a sip of my chia water and eat a chomp. However as I was coming unto mile 11 I realized my water was not going to last the next 9 miles. In order for my run to be successful I needed to stay hydrated and the warm weather was depleting me faster than I had planned. 

I ran to MOM and DADS! The elevation where they live almost a mile of hills. Although I dreaded the path but I maintained my pace out of excitement to see their smiles, encouragement and get fresh water.

"I do not RUN like a man Running Aimlessly." 1 Corinthians 9:26

After leaving MOM and DADS I had a new spirit. I was only there a couple minutes,enough time to pee, grab some M&M's, laugh a minute and get my water and go. Mom filled my water bottle for me and laughed at my contents. "What is that in your water?" Mom is the biggest BACK WASHER you have ever seen. She has floaties in her pop bottles that look like a full meal and she was grossed out by MY Chia water?!

Seeing their face refreshed me and helped me prepare for the last 6 miles. I believe you finish STRONG. 

I ran concentrating on my pace, on my posture and on my performance. 

20 MILES done! I finished in a tank top, capris and some really muddy shoes. I smiled with an immense amount of gratitude. So Thankful. The dreaded 20 Miler DONE...Now 2 more 22 milers! 

CONTEST!!!!!!! 

ProCompression Has sent me a pair of their COMPRESSION SOCKS! AND they want to send me another pair FOR YOU!!! These are retailed at 50$!

Here is how YOU can win a PAIR.

1. You have to be a follower on my blog. 
2. Make a guess on the TIME you think I will finish Pot O Gold Sunday, March 17th. Who Ever comes Closest WINS!! Simple. I run this race every year if you want to see how I did last year here is the Recap.
3. I will Post my Time and The WINNER. I will follow up with the winner but I will need their address and shoe size.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 20.01
Pace: 8:39
Time: 2:53

Anita~