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Hard Ass 20

This weekend I was on a mission to get in my 20 mile run that my training plan had scheduled for me. As many of you know here in PA we are still pretty snow covered so I knew 20 was going to be tricky. I didn't want to risk the chance of injury but running on trails I knew were snow and ice still so I decide to run the Schuylkill Bank Trail. What was I thinking!!!! Don't get me wrong I really do love this trail. However I am not a street runner. Most of my high mile runs take place in the woods and on a much softer course then pavement! I didnt start my run early in the day like I would normally because I was hoping to let the temperatures warm up a bit and I was hoping the snow would melt some of the ice that formed over night.



I started my run around 12:30 at Chestnut Street. I had planned to run 10 out and then 10 back. When I got a short way past the falls bridge I hit lots of snow and ice so i was thinking the remained of the trail would not be clear so I turned back around. I was feeling pretty great until around mile 17. My legs were just done. I was starting to get really hungry and the winds were picking up. It took everything I had to keep going. I'm happy to say I got to mile 20 but man was it tough. This was the first time I ran that far in a long time. I feel accomplished but I really looking froward to spring so I can get back out to the lovely Wissahickon!

Yesterday I was slated to run 10. I decided instead to run at John Heinz and deal with any snow and ice because it had to be an upgrade to the pavement I was pounding the day before. The trails were really muddy and snowy but its felt great. I was doing great considering my legs were fried from the day before. I was not hell bent on the 10 I just was happy to be back out running again after such a long run on Saturday. Around mile 5 my stomach got pissed at me so my run went down hill fast. I got in 6 miles total of running but a total of 8 miles for the day between walking and running. I'm happy with that.

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