Up until today, running a half marathon has felt somewhat out of reach. Every time I finish 5 miles, I think to myself, I have to run 8.1 more?! And then I doubt whether or not I’d ever be able to do it. After today’s 10 miler though, I know for sure it will happen someday.
You read that right…I ran 10 miles this morning!! My first double digit run EVER. Before today, my longest run had been 8 miles, which I’d only run 3 times in my life. I skipped right over 9 today!
10 miles was totally unexpected. And I mean, TOTALLY unexpected.
I didn’t know how my legs would feel after Sunday’s 8 miler, so I went out with the goal of running about 3-4 miles and walking a couple more.
I was pretty relaxed and just bopped along to my country tunes, not really worried about my pace, distance or anything for that matter.
My lungs felt good, my legs weren’t getting tired, and I was running up hills like a gazelle! I usually stop a few times during my runs to catch my breath (read: during/after a huge hill), but I didn’t stop at all today. Well I stopped to stretch at mile 7.5 because I thought I was done…but I clearly wasn’t!
Miles 3-8 were a breeze. I know I said running is never effortless, but those miles today came pretty close. I felt like I could go on forever and ever.
And I did…
Had I had fuel/water with me and not been afraid of getting injured, I would’ve kept going. I was running on empty by the end, though.
Oh and since I thought I’d only be running a few miles, I didn’t bring gummy bears with me…AGAIN! When will I ever learn?
I came home and stretched for a loooooong time and then hopped in the car to get some ice (and a sample of sushi!) The ice from my freezer was NOT going to cut it for today’s ice bath.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. Ice baths are really not that bad! Okay, so it’s pretty cold the first 5 minutes, but then your legs go numb and the water starts to feel kinda WARM.
I always think that the water has warmed up, but then I reach my hand in and confirm that it is indeed still freezing!
Talking on the phone with Kat Lobes helps…as does a glass of hot water.
I stayed in for 25 minutes today and then took a hot steamy shower.
I had zero appetite after my run today (I hate when that happens!). I ellipticalled for 45 min. yesterday and was starving…then I run 10 miles today and have no appetite?
Apparently that means I drink my calories and eat really ugly food!
I had to race out the door to go to work, so I only had about 5 minutes to pack dinner. I’m going to band rehearsal after nannying and I won’t’ be home until 10 pm. I hope this is enough food!
There’s only one song this week. This song keeps getting stuck in my head! I especially love the last few seconds when he’s mumbling.
Bait a Hook by Justin Moore
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Alright, gotta go! Have a wonderful night.
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations! I was on a runner’s high for days after I ran 10 miles the first time. I never ran more than 10 miles before my first half-marathon, so I think that if you can run 10 (at a fast pace, no less) you can definitely do a half-marathon!
Congratulations on your 10 miler! I’m aiming to run a 5k this Saturday for my town’s Zombie Run and 10 miles seems so far to me at the moment.
Congrats chickie! I ran my first 10K ever last weekend & 10 miles are not feeling so far off now! Up until a few months ago I legit struggled to finished ONE mile! Funny how these things happen
Congrats! Next up: 13.1!
Way to go, Allie!
Eep! – Congrats on that 10 miles! I’m pretty sure a half marathons got nothing on you now!
For my first half, I trained up to 10 miles. So… you’re ready! =P
Did I miss something… “band”??
http://www.livelaugheat.com/2011/09/14/happy-camper/
Awesome job girl! You are totally ready to run a half marathon!
Congrats on 10 miles!! That’s a huge accomplishment!
Funny how our appetites sometimes disappear after intense cardio. I’m usually not hungry after spinning, for example, but after body pump – I could eat my arm!
Congrats Allie! 10 down, 3.1 to go!
hey congrats on the 10 miler! Which Garmin do you use? Im in the market but dont want to buy a $300 watch…..
Forerunner 405. It’s not $300 but it’s more expensive than the 305. You can read more about it here http://www.livelaugheat.com/2009/10/21/meet-garmy/
WootWoot! Congrats on those 10 miles! How exciting
Congrats!! That is so so awesome! And good to know those ice baths are not as bad as they look! You have such pretty scenery to run by in your neighborhood!
Congratulations on your double digit run! How in the world did you run that far without gel, gummy bears, or gatorade? You’re a BEAST!
I know what you mean about not being hungry..I can just lift weights at the gym or bike and be starved, and then if I run 5 miles the next day I’m not hungry at all. What the what?
We’re running twins today, I ran 10 miles too! And listened to country music the whole time on Pandora in honor of country Tuesday (and b/c I was trying to force myself to go slow). Yay for double digit runs. Although, you’re much braver than me b/c I sure as heck did not attempt an ice bath!
congrats on the long run! i am slowly working my mileage back up to the doubles.
but i don’t like country music…eeek. glad it works for you, though! 
Where are you working?
When I say ‘working’ I’m referring to nannying.
I hate little kids…
Great job girl!
You go girl!!! That is awesome!
I remember the first time I hit DD’s in my run. It was a great accomplishment. You are so well on your way to that 1/2 marathon. Just think….only 3 more!!
I randomly ran 10 miles yesterday too! Except I was dumb and didn’t ice bath….bad call
Congratulations! That is a huge accomplishment and it has been really inspiring to see you progression in upping your mileage over time!
Congrats girl! I think the furthest I have ran is about 5 miles. I am hoping to hit the double digits sometime, hopefully sooner rather than later;)
That is awesome! I hope to join the double digit club someday – the farthest I’ve run is 7 miles on the treadmill, and I nearly died of boredom!
CONGRATS ALLIE! That is amazing! I am amazed at this- way to go! I can’t imagine running that far- you go girl!
During training, I was always hungry the day after my runs!
Same with me. I’m going to be RAVENOUS tomorrow!
Major kudos girl! I would definitely say a half marathon is within reach now. Must have been all those good old country tunes.
awesome job, allie!! i love those runs where you totally surprise yourself. can’t imagine that ice bath was much fun, though!
Congrats girl! What an accomplishment! 10 miles is no joke!
Yay for double digits! Try drinking water with Nuun after your run. It settles my stomach and brings my appetite back after a long run or workout.
Wow! Nice job! I haven’t been able to find motivation to run lately :/
Congrats on the 10 miler! For ice baths you should really only do 20min max- I know your legs go numb after about 5min in so that extra 5 at the end you aren’t really feeling anything but keeping your legs in ice cold water for that long could cause nerve damage. 20min is just enough to get the bad blood out of your legs and increase circulation to those muscles!
Good to know! Thanks. Wasn’t aware about nerve damage…eeps.
woowhoooo 10 miles! That’s actually a great jump from 8
And I think running doesn’t make me as hungry as strength training does. Maybe that’s why you weren’t too hungry?
You could totally do a half marathon! The longest run of my training schedule is 12 miles, and you’re already almost there. My split times are minutes higher than yours, so I know you would rock a half!
Ah I’m so excited for you- great going on the double digits! I’ve run 10 miles once ever and I actually have it scheduled on my training plan next week…I’m a bit nervous but at the same time excited/ready..if I can do 8, I can definitely crank out 10…and your post has gotten me all the more pumped:)
Have you heard Scotty McCreery’s new song The Trouble With Girls? I always think of your blog now when I think of who else in the blogging world likes Country Music!
http://youtu.be/ND-SB3OxP38
Its so good!
Yep, I have on the radio!
Wow, awesome! Congrats.
Look how well you do when you take risks!!!
Country Music is the best!
You are turning into quite the little distance-runner machine! You could definitely do a half-marathon- even if you don’t run longer than 10 miles! I never ran more than 11 at one time before I did one, and those extra few miles didn’t seem like much at all.
And judging by your 10-miler time, you’d finish with a pretty impressive time for a half! Awesome job, Allie- you should be proud!
Wow! 10 miles! Good for you!!!! Your such an inspiration!
As a fellow runner, I especially like reading your running posts!
A job well done! I actually ran 10 miles last night… which was the first time I have done that alone. the only other time I have was during my actual half-marathon.
Way to go, Allie!
Congrats Allie!!! It’s fun coming back and checking and seeing your running progress. 10 miles is HUGE!
Welcome to the club!! That must have been a GREAT run to do a whole 10 miles out of nowhere! Congrats!!
Allie,
What model Garmin do you use?
Forerunner 405. This is the post when I first got it http://www.livelaugheat.com/2009/10/21/meet-garmy/
I just stumbled upon your blog and am looking forward to reading more! Congrats on the double digit run!
Woohoo, good for you! I know it’s not a half, but Cherry Blossom in the spring, perhaps?
My parents ran that while training for Marine Corps…so I’ve been wanting to run it for years and years. I’ve also seen my mom wear her race t-shirt for years and years
. Come down and run it with me?!?! YEAH!
Dangggggg, nice job, girl! That must have felt AMAZING when you finished. Phew!
Sa-weeet
I hate when I don’t have an appetite after a long run. I know I need to eat, but I want to enjoy it!
Are you signed up for a specific half?