We’re up to 16 miles now. It’s hard to believe we have only two long runs to go, then two weeks of taper. I’ve got my plane tickets and just need to find someone to feed the cats. Went out today at lunch to shop at REI during their Labor Day sale when it wasn’t too crowded. Picked up a $100 running jacket for $50 and some light gloves. Never can tell what kind of weather Chicago will have in store for us, so I’m ready for anything down to about 45 degrees and dry or 55 degrees and wet. Rain would really suck, though, since I’ve never run in the rain.
We did our 16-mile Natural Bridges run on Saturday. As if a 16-mile run wasn’t enough, I also had tickets to see Dave Matthews Band in Berkeley that evening! So, my day started at 4:30 a.m. and it didn’t end until 1:30 a.m. the next day!
The run went well. Due to a camping trip a few days ago, I kind of skipped my 14-mile run. I did it in two parts before the trip: 10 miles on Thursday evening and 4 miles on Friday morning. But I didn’t run with the team, so I was really happy with my efforts on Saturday. TNT is instituting a maximum time limit to prevent injuries and make life easier for our water stop volunteers. Saturday’s limit was 3:20 and I did the run in 3:19.
Afterward, a few of us went to Emily’s coffee shop for breakfast, then I went home to shower and nap before the show. I ended up lasting until halfway through the second set before I decided to leave to beat the crowd. I was tired and a little stiff, so I really didn’t want to be part of the herd leaving the amphitheater and waiting for the next BART train. All things considered, it was a very successful day!