I've lived to tell the tale...

Well, I made the 17 miles yesterday. It was cold, sometimes snowy and definately windy. We ran 6 miles of gently rolling hills and then 11 miles of Newton Hills... I never felt like I was in a groove, more daughnted by the distance ahead of me and determined to make it. I carried my fuel belt with gatorade (hated it) and stinger gel (loved it) and 2 power gels (used to them) and made sure to drink more water than I had been (trying to figure out why I felt so awful after 16 miles last week, and I think I was a little dehydrated). I finished in 3:48:10 --- very slow distance - like a 13:41 pace. That means that I would still finish the marathon in less than 6 hours which is my goal beyond finishing... I felt pretty good once I got home, showered and ate... In fact I went out last night without being forced and enjoyed a few glasses of wine... and cake... maybe a little too much. I am fine today, just need to detox and spend the next 5 days preparing for my next weigh in. Next week's long run is 13 miles. It won't be easy, but at least I know I won't be out there for nearly 4 hours! I guess that is what the mental portion of marathoning is all about!