Long Run: 0, Jenn: 1

I woke up bright and early Saturday really dreading the 6 miles that I had ahead of me. I hadn't slept as much as I wanted the night before because I am a slacker and put off packing for our trip to Michigan. I must have been feeling brave because I decided to try out the new wicking underwear that fellow blogger Wells L recommends on her gear page. I probably should have tried them out on a shorter run, but I am happy to report that they were fantastic! When I get around to a gear/recommendation page I will be including them!

Anyway, onto the actual RUNNING. I started running before it was totally light out - while I enjoyed the cool, I wasn't super comfortable running until the sun was up. I started out slow knowing that I needed to keep a slower pace or risk not being able to finish. I kept one earbud out so that I could listen to my "app" on my phone which gives me stats on my run every 5 minutes. I was shooting to stay somewhere close to 10 minute miles. I think I did pretty well considering I am the WORST at pacing!
Mile 1 - 10:18 total
Mile 2 - 19:55 total --- + 9:37
Mile 3 - 29:12 total --- + 9:17
Mile 4 - 38:27 total --- + 9:15
Mile 5 - 47:59 total --- + 9:32
Mile 6 - 56:42 total --- + 8:43

I don't know much about pacing, but I think I remember somewhere reading that having negative splits was a good thing, so I will be happy that for the most part these are negative splits. And, even if I hadn't read that somewhere, I would think that its better to start slow and finish strong.

I was all prepared to write about the point at which I felt like I couldn't go any further, I looked at my map and figured out where it was mileage wise and not surprisingly it happened between miles 4 and 5 when I had a slower split. I was running out of steam and wanting to quit. I rounded the corner and as if it were put there JUST for me, to provide the encouragement I needed, there was a van with a "26.2" sticker. Now, 10 months ago I would have been discouraged by that sticker, but on Saturday it was just the motivation I needed. I thought to myself, "if they can run 26.2 miles, you can certainly finish 6." I also had a moment where I visualized realizing my new "bucket list" dream of finishing a full marathon. It was just what I needed to keep moving and finish up mile 5 and 6 strong.

Overall, it felt MARVELOUS to finish this long run. This is only the second time I have run more than 5 miles at a time. Since my first experience was a race, I was afraid that the adrenaline from the race had pushed me past what I could accomplish on my own. Not to mention I had two walk breaks during that 10k, courtesy of two monster hills (one was uphill, the other downhill) - guess thats how it got its name of the "Beast 10k".

One major downside to this run was that I did 6 miles all on residential association streets. It was boring and hard to stay focused and motivated. Thank goodness for my ipod shuffle! So, that leads me to two questions I have for my readers:
1. What are your favorite running songs?
2. Anyone in the Ft Wayne/Huntertown have any close trails they would recommend? I have done the Parkview Y loop, but I am looking for something new.

This is a "rest" week so my long run will only be 5 miles this week, which is much appreciated after the sunburn I got this weekend while on my in-laws boat! It was a blast so it was worth the sunburn, but it is rough running when it hurts to wear a sports bra and tennis shoes! (I burnt my collarbone/shoulder area and the tops of my feet the worst!) I am looking forward to seeing if I can run 7 miles next week, if I can, it will be the longest I have ever run in my life!