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First long run in months!

This week starts the week of Ragnar training so I need to start doing longer run on Saturdays. The goal for today's run was 9 miles. My destination was John Heinze wildlife refuge. From my front door it's about 1 mile to entrance, the loop is about 8 so that would get me my nine plus a cool down walk. I obviously wasn't in the right frame of mind when I made this decision because the entrie trail was covered in snow and ice. A person with a sound mind would have probably turned back and ran home and then ran the streets near their house. I am certainly not that person instead I kept on running on snow and ice covered trails and actually didn't fall or twist an ankle! I was however sane enough to run out of the park when I got to the other side rather than heading around the loop back towards home. I just didn't have it in me to keep at it on the snow and ice. I'm happy I stuck it out and completed the run. 
     
         I'm grateful that the sun was shining and my kids were warm at home with my husband. The temperature was about 19 while I was out there today. I prepared for the run by bringing my handheld water bottle and a little container of raisins. For anyone who knows me and my running style I do not typically carry water but now that I plan to tack on the mileage it is smarter to bring fluids if I won't be running near a fresh water source. The handheld bottle I was using today may not have been the best choice for such cold temperatures. More than once the water spilled out on me and froze at once. The raisins did come in handy I popped a few around mile 6 to pick me up. I was happy to have a real food alternative. My goal during this training season is to learn what real foods work best on long runs and also what pre and post meals work best. I felt really great today and look forward to getting back out there again soon however I think John Heinze may be a no go until the temperatures are consistently above freezing!



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  1. Awesome girl get it !! I'm pushing through more cardio after reading this post !

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