Sunday October 5th was my last long run in my training plan for my upcoming half marathon. After a rough night with the girls – both up a few times – I was up at 6:15 and out the door just before 7 AM. Pretty good so far. The run went from bad to good to hard to awesome.

Wore a piece of my girls with me on my run:

I was on my own for 19 kilometers, that’s a LONG time to be on your own with no friend to talk to or music to bob up and down to (yeah, I don’t run with music). It was a long time to “think” …. and so I did, it went a little something like this:

1-3km:

• I’m wearing too many layers…keep going don’t turn back.
• Seriously, WHY am I running again?
• I don’t like running (today).
• How am I going to run a HALF marathon next week?

3k: Stop to take a picture

• While taking this photo I thought, yeah, I’ll just stop and take pictures of my run.
• That will make a great blog post.

Check out the trail I’m running on:

• Okay, I can do this.
• Oh, look pumpkin people – photo time.

• Dang, I just kicked my left ankle. Good thing I have on my ProCompression socks on….my ankle won’t have dirt on it when I get home.
• And, “RESUME” Garmin – shit…I forgot to turn it back on. Awww, man! Beep beep – on again.
• Time to cross the street.
• It’s getting lighter outside; rain please stay away.
• Kicked myself AGAIN!
• Cop car! S’up!
• Honk honk…helly buddy I don’t know.
• Another cop car…really ?
• Oh look, that’s how fast I am running in the school zone!

7km+

• I HATE HILLS
• Okay, I love running again, this is GREAT!
• I’ll take my GU near when I get close to the garbage bin.
• Pumpkin people again!
• Let’s play with the Vanilla GU as I run down THIS hill (stress reliever ???)
• Yes, the garbage bin. GU time!
• Man, I’m a messy water drinker when I run. Good thing there is no one around.
• Okay, new plan is to U-turn at 8k.

7.84km: (this time stuck in my head)

• Oh those leaves are pretty {mental note, take phone out for picture on return}
• When will my Garmin hit 8km?
• Finally, 8k, U Turn!
• Pretty red leaves

• Hello lady I’ve seen for the last 4 Sunday mornings…won’t see you next week!
• Another HILL…good lord!
• Finally, that hill is over only a few more to go.

11km:

• I’m pooped! No, I didn’t poop my pants but I’m just pooped from running.
• Side walk construction: should I run on the road or on the shoulder (sand/gravel).
• Road wins.
• Car coming. Game over (moves off-road).
• Car passes by: game on!
• Transport Truck coming – GAME OFF…jumps off road.
• Thank you truck driver for giving me lots of space – air high-five to you!

13k

• Second GU (Chocolate Outrage)
• Decision made: Vanilla Bean and Chocolate GU for the half. Must go purchase before Friday.
• I’m running fast again, sweet!
• Oh my, this hill is going to be a killer. Keep your head down and just run to the sign.
• Where is that sign again?
• Really, it’s that far away from me?
• A few more steps, I feel like a turtle.
• Oh thank god I made it to the hill, only 4k to go.

15k

• First I need to catch my breath…I think this is another hill/incline. Maybe that’s why I usually run it in the opposite direction.
• Yup, it’s a hill…and walk.
• Walk faster.
• Okay, it’s time to run again.

16k

• 3 more to go.
• I’m running fast AGAIN…this is wonderful!
• Just make it to the top of the hill, you can rest then.
• Almost there.
• Done, made it. No resting. Keep going only 2k now.

17k

• Running fast again.
• Umm, am I crying?
• Why am I crying?
• Seriously, I’m crying. Weird.
• Take the next left.
• Okay, u-turn back home, almost done!
• And……DONE. 19k… STOP the GARMIN.

And that my friends was my last long run before my half!

A little yoga and stretching with my two best girls:

After yoga, I got all cleaned up, put a new pair of PRO Compression sleeves on (seriously, I love these) and went for a walk with Sai and the girls.

What do you think of when you run?

What’s your lucky thing to wear?

What random things have you thought of on your long/solo runs?