So Long, Doubt!

Today's run-walk-run: Temperature: 63 degrees; 17 miles; 2:59:03; 10:31 per mile pace. Splits: 9:59; 10:15; 10:06; 10:15; 10:27; 10:22; 10:24; 10:43; 10:30; 10:22; 10:18; 10:29; 10:06; 14:15 (stopped home and refueled); 9:46; 10:27; 10:19.

I'm satisfied with today's run of 17 miles. I'm satisfied with a total of 52.1 miles run for the week. I NEVER run close to that many miles for the week. I finished about three hours ago, and the aches and pains are minimal. Even purple toes are happy. Left brain wasn't a factor. I shut him right down. It was cooler and windy, and near the end of my run I felt under dressed. That's Connecticut weather. Within the course of my 3 hour run, the wind increased and the temperature decreased. AS much as I would have liked to run 20 or more miles, I decided to stop at 17 because of the weather and because I wasn't hydrated enough. I didn't wear my hydration belt, and from mile 9 on I was craving water. At one point I almost stopped at a cemetery, filled and drank from a watering can I saw there, but decided that wouldn't be a smart move. So as I arrived home st mile 13.6, I headed right for our water cooler. After chugging a few glasses of water, I was back on the road. It didn't help that I am out of energy gels also. My order from Road Runner Sports won't arrive until Thursday. Poor planning on my part. So my strategy had been to run without my hydration belt, since it was cool outside and the belt weighs me down; plus carry a Creamy Citrus PowerBar and break off pieces as needed. Dumb move on my part, since the PowerBar wasn't a good substitute for a gel (too think and chewy), and it made me even more thirsty. So as I said, after chugging some water, I was back on the road, and it then felt cold outside since duh, I had left my warm home. Also, as I ran, I suddenly started having "cotton mouth syndrome." My mouth was drier than it's ever been. Go figure. I stop and drink water, begin running again, and now my mouth and body craved even more water. I've never had my mouth be as dry as it was then. At that point I decided not to take any unnecessary chances by attempting 20 plus miles. I looped back towards home, and completed my 17 miles with enough distance left to have a nice slow cooldown walk before going inside. As I crunch some numbers, If I take 4 minutes off of the 14:15 mile 14 split that is inflated due to my stop home, my adjusted time of 2:55:03 would average out to a 4:29:58 marathon, take or give a little. Considering I ran-walk-ran at a 4 minute run and a 1 minute walk pace. I'm OK with the time. I must say though, as I've said before, I do not like to run long distances by myself. Yes, I had music to listen to, but nothing beats running in a race and taking advantage of the water and gel stops. Even more important, running with other people in a race definitely motivates me to do better. It's too easy to dog it when I do the solo run, although that wasn't the case today. Had I not had the hydration issue, I think I could have run 20 plus miles...maybe even a marathon. But, I know I made the right decision to stop. Better I stop today so I can run another day! P.S. I've become a Facebook addict! If any of you want to add me as a friend, scroll down and click on my link near the bottom right.