Well today was the final really long run before the race... and it also marked the end of a really long running week! This week we upped our steady run to 10 km, increased our speed work, and tackled the 32 km. In the last few weeks, I've gained a deeper appreciation for what my body allows me to throw at it and a huge sense of support from the two ladies that pull me through the runs!
Yes, I am pleasantly surprised to say this - Thank you Petra and Helen. At the beginning of the training one the first long run I did with these two, I thought I'd never stick with them and actually, I'm not sure I really enjoyed running with them. But in the past few long runs, I have really noticed how much of a difference these two make! Whether it be their constant chatter and light hearted conversations (minus the teasing!), or the reassuring you can do it, they both are great at chimming in, or the pattern the three of us have developed over the last 14 weeks that allows us to easily stop for a bathroom break or a little swear session at the top of the hill! I really don't think I would have come this far with anyone else.
On Saturday I met up with Roberta for tea and had forgotten how sunny and friendly she is and how much I missed running with her. Truthfully, I think she'd fit very well into this little three-some I have found myself in. I did tell her how much I credited to these other two ladies and I do really hope in the future she will be able to meet them and experience the Helen Petra combo in such a positive way as I have. I honestly, can't say thank-you to these two enough. I've had some horrible sundays where without them I would have stopped and walked to taken a short cut - but these two won't let me.
With only two more long runs left in training, I'm excited for the race but sad to see my sunday mornings with these ladies come to an end. I will miss Helen's stories about the differences between the UK and Canada, or the silly stories about her children and their adventures. I will miss Petra telling me my legs are stronger than I think and I can go faster, or swearing up the hills, or even telling me how to beat people in the last 500 m of a race! LOL... so, anyone running out there, please take a moment to look at your running buddies and tell them thank you. I'm pretty sure running buddies are some of the best people a person can know and have in their life. They are the people that don't let you quit, the people that know exactly what you are going through, and the people that even though you are having a bad day are not going to ditch you to run faster or with someone more peppy. Thanks ladies! You truly are my inspiration and my motivation on Sundays!
That said, the 32 km today was incredible! Possibly the best run I've ever had! We started off strong at 6:45 min/km... by 12 km we were holding a steady 6:15 min/km pace (minus going up hill) and the last 4 km, Petra and I managed to bust out a whopping 5:38 min/km! So that's right, today I finished 32 km in 3 hours and 37 mins, nearly 10 mins faster than my previous 32 time. I also wasn't swearing and wanting to crawl into a hole and die! I was smiling and so unbelieveable happy at my accomplishments and looking forward to race day. Yes, now several hours later my muscles hurt, I've done a bit of icing and will put myself into a cold bath and will roll out more. But I did it... and I can do the 42.2 km... I can and I will! And all my successes one race day will come from all the people I have received support from including Petra and Helen!
