20 Miler

Yesterday was awesome. There's no other way to really put it. Now, don't get all excited thinking I ran ALL 20 miles, because there was no way that was going to happen. Just the simple fact I stayed on my feet for all 20 miles should be enough! I really feel like I did well with the group. I was really nervous to meet up with the other two guys that are going to Alaska and one of the mentors on Saturday morning. From Howard County, I am the only female going. We stayed as a group for most of the time. Only towards the end did one of the teammates move off on his own. Just for the simple fact of finishing. Being out there for 5 hours was a lot. It was about 68 degrees when we started at 6:30, with 83% humidity. Holy crap, it was hot. Jonathan (the mentor) was super nice by sticking out  most of it with me. He's not even running the full marathon while we're there, yet he completed 20 miles with us yesterday. He organized the first 10 miles to be a completely different route then our regular TNT route. It was nice to have a change of scenery and run through the park as part of it. It was almost like we ran ALL over Columbia! 

Everyone did such an awesome job, you really saw where team work was possible. I'm usually a loner when it comes to completing things, but the group really helped everyone keep it together and push to finish. I'm just so happy and satisfied with the results. I have my Forerunner set to stop counting every time we stop at a water stop. Naturally, we get into side conversations, so we're there a little longer then race time. The watch said 4:14:00 at 20 miles on the dot at a 12:57/mile. All in all though, with the conversations and stopping, we were out there for 5 hours. It began raining around the last 1/2 mile back to the park. However, it was a total blessing. The rain felt SO good, there is no other way to explain it. 

Alaska is 21 days away, I can't wait!