18 Miles of Sunshine

Earlier in the week Jenn had sent me a message letting me know that we would have to do our 18 mile run separately this weekend because of her babysitting arrangements. After I received Jenn's message I put the following status update on my Facebook page...Jodi Wolfe Higgins
has 18 miles on the schedule Sunday and Jenn isn't able to run it with me. Any takers or will it be a solo mission? Eventually my friend Darlene made the following comment...Hey, Jodi. I can't quite make 18 but maybe I could join you for 14. Send me a message with the details and we can try to get it in. I was thrilled to see her comment and immediately sent her a message and we figured out where and when we would run. Yesterday afternoon Darlene called and we finalized our plans for our long run. We would be meeting at the Rocky River Reservation at 8:30 AM this morning. When I got in my truck at 8:00 AM I was greeted with this lovely first day of spring temperature.

I met up with Darlene and we got ready to run! I knew that I would have 4 miles to finish after Darlene and I completed our run. I was fine with that because I was thrilled to have a running partner for 14 miles. Shortly before mile 7 we made a pit stop in the pro shop to use their restrooms. Once we came back out onto the trail I mentioned to Darlene that we could just turn around at mile 7 so she could call it quits at 14 miles. At this point Darlene mentioned that she was feeling good and would be willing to go out 8 miles! I was thrilled because I instantly realized that I would only have 2 miles to complete once we got back to our trucks! It was a great run with fantastic conversation. Darlene did fantastic. Prior to today her longest run had been 13.5 miles or so. Once we got back to our starting point I used the restroom and then we snapped a quick picture. I would say we are still looking pretty good after 16 miles!

After I dropped off some extra gear that I had taken off during the course of our run, refilled my handheld and thanked Darlene for running with me, I reluctantly went back out for my final 2 miles. I quickly got into a groove and the last two miles were actually enjoyable as well! I arrived back at my truck with 18 miles run and done! I headed to buy ice and came home. Once home I brewed some hot chocolate in the Keurig and then put on layers and got into the very cold 28 lb ice bath.

Once the ice bath was completed, I got cleaned up, uploaded my workout to dailymile, and then headed out to get some lunch.

All in all, it was a fantastic run! We missed you out there today Jenn! Thanks for running with me today Darlene! It means a lot!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inpsire me!!

18 miles of scattered rain, snow, and hail

Due to this week being spring break I had to alter my training schedule to accommodate time restraints which meant I would need to complete my long run today instead of Sunday. Thankfully, the kids' great grandma came over to play with them while I headed out for my 18 miler this morning.

After several days of gorgeous weather, I woke to 39* and a rain/snow mix. To say I was not looking forward to going out in the elements is an understatement, but with the kids taken care of I laced up my shoes and headed out the door for three 5 mile loops and one 3 mile loop.

Miles 0-5 (loop one)
46:40
9:20/mile
Weather: snow/rain mix

Miles 5-10 (loop two)
47:00
9:24/mile
Weather: snow/rain/light hail mix

Miles 10-15 (loop three)
46:30
9:18/mile
Weather: snow/heavy, painful right in the face hail

Miles 15-18 (loop four)
29:26
9:48/mile
Weather: painful right in the face hail/insanely strong winds

After the third loop I seriously contemplated finishing the final three miles on the treadmill, but I was already cold and wet so I trudged on and completed all 18 miles with a time of 2:49:36 (9:25/mile). I stopped by the house after each loop for water. I also ate some sports beans around mile 9 and that seemed to give me a little more energy which showed in loop three's time. Overall it was a pretty decent long run. I am thankful it is complete and I am now watching "Princess Protection Program" with my kids and staying warm.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Sunrises, Tank Tops, and Summer Temps

This week is spring break so I have to schedule my running around my husband's work hours so I can be home for the kids. For the past two days I have headed out early in the morning and pounded the pavement. Yesterday I headed out around 6:45 AM and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and tank top weather during my 4 mile run. Today I headed out around 6:10 AM hoping to get in a 9 mile run. It was warm again today and the sunrise was once again beautiful however the wind was out of control. I ended up only running 8.2 miles due to time restraints and the wind working against me. I am okay with being less than a mile short of my intended run because afterall I often end up running a few extra tenths without realizing it. Tomorrow is a rest day and then Friday I head out for my 18 miler and of course the temperatures are going to drop back into the 40's. Although I am thinking I will be happy to have cool weather for that far of a run. Friday will be my longest run so far. Any suggestions or advice for me?

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!