An Unplanned 20 Miler

I had my last long run planned (20-24 miles) for this past weekend. Yeah, that didn't happen. Hubby has season tickets to the UW Badgers Football games. Then we had a wedding and reception in the afternoon and evening. We were both able to get about three miles in (separately) after wedding reception. On Sunday, hubby left at 6:30 am to spectate Ironman Wisconsin. I joined him later, after dropping off the kids with my mom. We didn't get home until 9:00 pm. Hubby encouraged me to get out for a quick run. He put the kids to bed and I headed out for three miles. My 5K loop turned into a 10K loop. That made me happy.

Monday, hubby decided to take the day off of work, to fit in his long run. I was going to try to get in 12 miles after that and then pick up Little Diva up from school We're training for the same marathon. On a whim, he decided to go sign up for his second Ironman. Since he didn't volunteer at the event, he spent the entire morning standing in line to register. He did get in. But, didn't get the run in.

He returned home a little upset about the long line he waited in and told me to head out for my long run. He would do his long run after dinner. I wouldn't make it back in time to get Little Diva from school and told him that he'd need to go get her. I headed out in beautiful, sunny 75 degree weater with a nice breeze. Me, my running shoes and my water bottle full of ice water. Twelve miles and two hours ahead of me.

I headed out on a new route that hubby uses. I only used this route two weeks ago on my twelve miler. It is a nice break from my normal routine. My water was already gone at mile four. I should've hydrated more this morning. I stopped at the gas station. No drinking foutain. The Subway inside let me use their water and ice out of the soda fountain. Nice. I was off. Eight miles to go.

I looped down a path and through a nice neighborhood that has some short paths, too. I was felling good and enjoying the scenery. Hubby told me that this area also lead to more paths. And, I wanted to see them. So, then I decided that my twelve miler was going to be an eighteen miler.

I looped through the neighborhood that is home to the newest elementary school in town. Along the way I discovered some cute parks that the kids and I will go visit later. Some great picnic spots. I filled up my water bottle three more times at these parks. man, was I thirsty today. Downed three Gu's, too. I found some nice paths and ways to connect from one side of our town to the next. I saw a garden snake slither across the sidewalk in front of me. I passed through to the other side of town and connected with even more paths and parks. It was awesome. I headed back and there was a nice breeze coming at me. School was getting out and there were lots of little kids waving to me outside of the school bus windows.

I headed towards home and had about three miles to go. I was near Target and decided to run in and fill up. Their cold drinking fountain was awesome and refreshing, compared to the warm water at the parks. I filled up and headed back out the automatic doors. Three miles to go. I wasn't sure how the last stop for water would effect my legs. But, I felt great. I decided to just tack on another two miles and call it twenty! I kept chugging along ... slowly. I headed back towards my neighborhood and up my street. Ended at my usual "finish line" .... the mailbox.

An Unplanned 20 Miler

... Let me tell you ...

It feels soooooooo good!!

Happy to be logging THAT baby

into my training log tonight!!

And, that Diet Mountain Dew

tasted even better today

than usual, post-run.

What did you do this weekend?
Planned or Unplanned?!