This week’s long run per training plan was a 10K race.  I wasn’t feeling this.

There was a long lunch chat on Monday about this distance with a fellow half marathon runner, co-dietitian.  We talked it out and I settled on doing another 10 mile run at Rock Cut.  I wasn’t pleased with last week’s 10 miles and I knew that I needed to get out to Rock Cut at some point during training.

I woke up late today, 6 am, and began getting ready.  There were a few points where I was just walking aimlessly around, not sure what I was doing.  Mental focus: absent.

I managed to toast 2 slices of bread and slather on cookie butter.

Breakfast of champion runners.

I grabbed my self-mixed Gatorade, iPhone, earbuds, hat, coconut water and was off.  I drove across town to Rock Cut.  I’ve had a few runners tell me to run the perimeter of the lake.  Today was the day.

I glanced at the park’s map but couldn’t quite figure out the exact route that I’ve been told about.  Main tip of this route: trust your gut with following the road.  I rocked that advice.

I started my run and was quickly joined by a turkey!

Have you seen a turkey run?  It tucks its wings in and just runs.  It’s such a site!  It ran about 20 yards in front of me for a few minutes.  Hilarious.  This was a good start to a hilly run.  Oh my hills.  My quads were screaming at me to stop.  I forged on.

I made it the 4.25 mile route around the lake and took off on another route for the last 6.75 miles. 

I essentially ran out of the park and towards a high school.  This portion of the run was great.  It was when I turned around when things fell apart.  I broke at 8.33 miles for a walking break.  I was disappointed with myself, but I think those hills took a lot out of me that I haven’t experienced before.

During this break was when I was not polite.  A guy and older lady were walking towards me as I was mentally preparing myself to run the last 1.77 miles.  The guy approached me to hand my something.  I put up my hand and said, “No, I don’t have time.”  I’m pretty sure he was going to hand me a gospel track.  I kept walking while he said, “Really?  Because you don’t seem to be in a rush.”  Not the right thing to say to me (or any runner) at that moment.  I continued on with my last bit of walking break and yelled back, “I’m running 10 miles and am on a break right now.  Good God!” 

I don’t regret yelling that.  I still think that that was rude of him. 

Moving on.  I ran another .75 miles and allowed myself to stop again.  It was warming up and I was tired.  And going at a slight incline.  I forged on and realized that my distance wasn’t being tracked!  Ah!  I hit “resume workout” and it picked up where it left off.  Not sure if I bumped it earlier?

So, I likely ran 10.3 miles. 

Stats: 10 miles     1:33:08     9’19″ pace

I was pleased with this run because I pushed myself so hard with the route around the lake.  Those hills were constant and challenging. 

I stretched out back at my car and opened up a passion fruit coconut water from Swanson Health Products to try out. 

This was not a great flavor for me.  I still gulped it down though. 

Turkey crossing on the way out.

I made a few pit stops on my way home.  First up Great Harvest for weekly bread.  Earlier this week, Aaron stopped by GH which resulted in this conversation.

Today I was offered apple crumbled while I picked up loaves of Extreme Cinnamon and Honey Whole Wheat. 

My mouth was too dry for this but I choked it down anyways.

Next stop: Sugarjones of course!  I may have whispered “Sugarjones cupcakes” earlier at mile 8. 

Specials for the day: Crisp Caramel Apple and Bananas Foster.  For real?

Once I was back home I grabbed chocolate milk and foam rolled.

Breakfast wasn’t on my mind though.  I finally ate after a lengthy shower.

This took me about an hour to eat.  Not hungry! 

Plans for the day: Olympics and grocery shopping.  We were invited to a British party because so many of them fled the country to avoid the Olympic chaos.  Not sure if we’re hitting that up. 

FYI: my uncle coached an Olympic athlete.  I always forget about this.  How cool!