Not my finest run

So this mornings run...wasn't quite what I expected.  We set out to do 12 miles, and I definitely wanted to do at least 10 in order to have a third double digit run before my half.  But I was nauseous all night long and just felt awful.  When I woke up I felt weak and like I was going to punk at any second.  I was also not mentally in this run - so I knew today was going to be a struggle.
I started out keeping up with Julia but then had to dry heave three different times. Because of these stops and trying to keep up with Julia - I actually made decent mile splits considering stopping and walking breaks.  I was trying to get 5 miles in before turning around and going back and decided to take a GU at 4.21 - and it was an automatic upchuck of the GU. The poor lady that was right behind us!  It was awful.  So I decided that was my cue to turn around...and my mile time on that was ruined because I just kept my garmin going.  I finally felt good at mile 5 and decided to just run fast my last few miles...to make up for coming up short 4 miles on my planned 12 mile run!

Here's my splits:

Mile 1 : 9:49
Mile 2 : 10:07
Mile 3 : 11:12 (dry heaving moments)
Mile 4 : 10:18
Mile 5 : 10:45 ( GU accident in here - makes this a little more impressive huh?)
Mile 6 : 9:51
Mile 7 : 8:52
Mile 8 : 9:26
Total: 1:20:25 - 10:03/M average

Even though this run was not what I wanted to do - I'm really happy with it.  Here are a few things that I learned/liked about this run

1. First of all, I have had two good double digit runs two weekends in a row - I was bound to have a problem at some point.  I'm glad it happened today and hopefully that means I will feel great on the day of my half.
2. I will not drink GU while running - especially when my stomach is feeling icky - and will stick to chomps!
3. I knew I was mentally not going to do well this run and I wasn't feeling good - and I still made 8 miles in a good pace.  I could have turned around after mile 2...I could have not ran and just walked...I could have called my husband to come pick me up  - and I didn't.  Chalk that up for a win! LOL
4. I finished strong..even if come May 7th I am feeling bad - I can run through it and finish strong. I can make it.  I will finish my half marathon.
5. I should have tapered a little...feeling this way forced me to taper - but running three double digit runs, especially with my training during the week being weak - was not a great idea.  I should have planned better to lessen my mileage one weekend in between the long runs. 
6. Running 8 miles in 1:20 seemed like a short run after two double digit runs!  Maybe with all the drama it made it go quicker - but seriously one second it was mile 2 and the next thing I know it was mile 6.  And chasing Julia trying to catch back up with her - going way faster than I normally run - actually helped take my mind off the stomach pain.
7.  My legs felt great and still feel good!
8.  This was my third long run without any side stitches!  I think my biggest problem was not enough food in the morning - or the wrong kind - but I'm sticking to my cream cheese and bagel cause it works!
9. I feel more confident after this run than any other run that I can finish my half. 


I'm sad I didn't get a 12 miler in before my race - but I feel like this was a good learning run on what I am capable of.  And I'm going to run somewhere between 5-10 miles this weekend to prepare. My goal this week is to run at least three times - and run at least 3-5 miles twice.  I've been a slacker on my mid-week runs the past few weeks.

I'm so excited that I only have 2 weeks until my half and on more weekend for a long run!  I can't believe it's almost here! I feel like once I complete my half marathon - I'll really be able to call myself a runner!