Marathon Training Week 7 Day 1 ~ 19 miles!!!!

Today's run was going to be just another run...NOT! Today's scheduled run was going to be a 17 mile long run that would be the longest distance ever for both Emily and myself. We were both pretty nervous the past few days but that's how we roll.

I fueled and hydrated very well yesterday to the tune of an overnight weight gain of 3 lbs. It did not freak me out at all this morning with that gain because I knew what it was.

Emily and I got up at 4:30am this morning, rubbed our eyes and snarfed down oatmeal and whatever we could snarf down. We reached our starting place on the favorite bike path and geared up. Someone hadn't started her Garmin yet and that delayed us even more. I shall not name names LOL.

We finally grab our satellites and we are off on our 17 mile journey. Emily and I haven't run together in a long time so we had alot of world problems to solve like we always do. Well, that and gossip. We had so many stories to tell that we were belly laughing hard. That was for at least a few miles. Miles that flew by! Here are some things we saw along the way including a water skier at 6:30 in the morning! Hardcore much?

By now we are into our run and feeling very very good with no bugs in our legs to work out at all. We were so prepared for this run that I hadn't really expected anything. By now, we are at the area where Jim and I usually start our runs when we come to the bike path together.

The Celebration Belle

At this point we are deciding how far west we should run so we decided to simply run in that direction until we hit 5 miles then turn around and by the time we get back to the car it would be 10 miles. So we did just that.

Emily doing what I tell her to do like a good daughter in law

At this point we are still goofy as all get out laughing at our own jokes and having a blast. We toodle along our way as I continue to snap more photos that is usually Emily's job. Ask anyone in my family...I am not a good picture taker AT ALL. I just felt like it today. Mark the moment!

 Brand new Kone (elevator and escalator manufacturer worldwide)

Lock & Dam

We come up on the funniest bench location ever and seriously scratched our head over it's placement.

Emily enjoying the AWESOME view from aforementioned bench

At this point in time we are starting to think about digging into our fuel. We brought Fig Newtons, Gummi Bears and our usual gels. I am anxious to dig into the Newtons!!!

Yummo!!!!

We are now right across from the Rock Island Arsenal and I love the history of this place. It is still quite the place as a fully operational Army post.

Rock Island Arsenal Island

We reach our 5 mile turnaround point and do just that. Turn around LOL. We come back to a spot that has an interesting history. Sylvan Island. Emily has never been there so I took her over for just a bit.

We are back to the iWireless Center and head to the area where the Quad Cities Marathon starts.

 John Deere Commons

new Kone headquarters

We are now heading back to the bike path and a few miles from the car for refueling and hydration.

We hit the car and then on our way to East Moline and Hampton, IL. At this point we are unsure just how far we are going to go because we tend to be overachievers. We keep wondering what a few running mentors would say if we went too far past our scheduled 17 miles but we just had to do it. We decide on 18 miles. That is doable and not too stupid. Right LOL?

Off we go and we see itty bitty baby ducks with their mommy. So cute!!!!

By now we are getting close to Hampton that would be our turnaround. At one point Emily is wanting to walk as her MS doesn't play well with heat. I take off for the turnaround to make it 18 miles and get to thinking. I am feeling so good and nothing is twinging or twanging that I decide to make it 19 miles. So I head to the new turnaround and turnaround LOL. Ah, there is Emily! I thought she was just going to wait for me but NO. She followed me. Nutjob LOL.

We are now back up on the levee and we pass by one of the John Deere manufacturing facilities. Our family bleeds John Deere green since our daughter and son in law are both John Deere employees.

A sea of John Deere green!

At this point Emily is really feeling it and we part ways as she walks and I run. We do this often. I am now running past Alcoa to my right on the Iowa side of the river. This is another MAJOR manufacturer that the Quad Cities can be very proud of. They are an aluminum manufacturer for aircraft.

Alcoa

By now your eyes are most undoubtedly glazing over and if you have hung in there to this point...bless you LOL. I am at the end of my epic run and ready to get this party over. I am very very very giddy and mentally this day is epic. Emily and I needed this. We know we can do it. Emily finishes not long after me and we head to a picnic shelter to catch our breath and cool down.

Our plan for the week is two very easy recovery runs with nothing fancy added. Next weekend will be our scheduled 6 mile cutback week long run. I will do my strength training otherwise. Rest and recovery!

Stats: 19 miles; 4:30:32; 14:14 av pace; 1600 cals torched

Splits: 14:17, 14:13, 14:30, 13:58, 13:50, 14:13, 14:22, 14:09, 14:24, 13:59, 14:50, 14:34, 15:03, 13:56, 13:58, 14:54, 14:30, 13:34, 13:19 (negative splits, baby!!)

Until next time...

Toodles!