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A Quick 17 Miles

by Meghann on November 15, 2009

I pretty much kicked butt at my run this morning. :)

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17 miles in 2:38:14 at an average pace of 9:18?!?! Wooo hoo!!!

If you would have told me bright and early this morning that I would be kicking so much booty, I wouldn’t have believed you. I woke up feeling very sleep and stalled starting my run by playing on the computer and taking as long as possible getting ready.

Part of stalling was preparing and eating this delicious Almond Butter, Pumpkin Butter, Raisin, and Dark Chocolate Chip sandwich.

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I did eventually make it out the door and arrived at the park just as the sun was rising.

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Unfortunately it wasn’t until I was parked that I realized I had left my water pack and shot bloks back at my apartment. Oh no! Driving 10 minutes back to my apartment and then 10 more minutes back to the park wasn’t worth it. Instead I ran with some cash and around mile 4 discovered a Publix where I purchased a water, tangerine and a fruit leather strip.

The idea of running by myself let me feeling bored, so I decided to challenge myself on the run and focused on my speed. I tried to keep my pace around 9:15 and was surprised how easily I could accomplish this. Each mile literally flew by and since I was focusing on my pace I never felt bored or alone. The challenge kept me interesting in the run and knowing I was achieving it made me happy.

Around mile 10 I broke out the tangerine , which must have been quite a sight considering I was still running while trying to peel the tangerine, eat the tangerine and spit the zillion of seeds that came from the tangerine. Even though it was a challenge to eat, I really enjoyed the fresh fruit on my run. I need to run with fruit instead of processed fuel more often.

A few miles later I broke out the fruit leather. The fruit leather was another great alternative to my normal running fuel. The simple sugars gave me the boost I needed to finish strong.

Final Stats:

  • Distance: 17 miles
  • Time: 2:38:14
  • Avg Pace: 9:18
  • Avg Heart Rate: 169

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When I made it back to the car I immediately dove into the Renew Glo Bar to prevent any shaky, nauseated feeling I tend to experience after long runs.

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The renew bar was amazing! It tasted great and gave me the energy I need immediately after a long run.

Breakfast was prepared almost immediately after walking in the door. :)

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I discovered today that egg whites from a carton do not work in eggs in a basket.

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Instead I ended up with holey french toast that I cooked egg white separately for and dropped in the hole and then covered in apricot preserves – tasty!

With my stab at eggs in a basket I had a bowl of yogurt with cantaloupe, pom seeds, and granola.

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It was all very refreshing and perfect after a long run!

I wish I could rest for a bit, but I have no time! I am already later for meeting my friend at the Orlando Food and Wine Festival. I have been looking forward to this for months so I know it will be worth it. Be back tonight with a full recap. :)

{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Brie (The Fit Bride) November 15, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Awesome job!

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2 Susan November 15, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Wow, I can’t believe you maintained that speed for a whole 17 miles! AND entertained yourself for that long. Great job! I need to stop running with processed fuel so often too. I always used to eat dates on my bike rides and they worked great.

Have fun at the festival!

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3 kbwood November 15, 2009 at 12:20 pm

wow-i respect those 17 miles soo much! that is AWESOME.. you are a beast!

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4 M November 15, 2009 at 12:21 pm

So quick! What’s your marathon goal for Disney? I bet you can break 4 hours no problem!

Do you turn off your garmin when you stop at the store? Mine turns off automatically when i’ve paused for 30 seconds or so. I worry about my sometimes pit stops to the bathroom because the watch doesn’t account for that time. What does everyone else do about this? I don’t want to have a false sense of my time — thinking, oh, I can handle 9 min/miles for a full marathon, when maybe I can do that only if i’m taking freaking 5 minute bathroom breaks.

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5 Meghann November 15, 2009 at 12:23 pm

I’m sorry I should have put a disclaimer that I did pause my garmin when I went into publix. It was a short break though and I feel comfortable in the fact that if I hadn’t stopped I would still have been able to maintain that pace :)

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6 Kate November 15, 2009 at 3:32 pm

Most runners I know stop their watches if they’re stopping. I’ve never found it gives me a false sense of my ability, and I think the reverse would be true if I didn’t stop it.

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7 caitlin November 15, 2009 at 12:25 pm

AMAZING meghann! i am really proud of you!

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8 Marissa November 15, 2009 at 12:40 pm

Congrats on the 17 mile run!

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9 Derek November 15, 2009 at 12:43 pm

so…many…miles. My 3 this morning don’t compare. =)

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10 Evan Thomas November 15, 2009 at 12:53 pm

Congrats on the run! That rocks!

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11 Lizzy November 15, 2009 at 12:57 pm

congrats on the run! thats such an awesome pace! :)

http://saladdiva.wordpress.com

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12 Erin November 15, 2009 at 1:01 pm

Wow, I admire that you can bust out 17 miles like it’s no big deal. ;) Enjoy your weekend.

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13 Abby November 15, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Congrats.. I love how it was just a “quick” run for you..lol. Id have to be carried home if I walked that!

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14 Anne P November 15, 2009 at 1:16 pm

That’s amazing. Great job!!

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15 Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) November 15, 2009 at 1:18 pm

Congrats!!!

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16 Matt November 15, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Have you tried using raisins as fuel? They are easy to carry and pretty tasty ;)

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17 Erica November 15, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Nice job on the run girl ! That is fabulous and what a way to start the day. Have fun at the festival

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18 Kelly from Bridges and Bites November 15, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Oh my gosh, girl, that is awesome! Sounds like an awesome morning to prepare for a great day! Have fun at the festival — can’t wait to hear all about it!

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19 Jess November 15, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Wow, nice job. That’s a great pace.

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20 Kristin November 15, 2009 at 1:54 pm

Holy smokes – that’s an awesome pace!!! I bet you’re getting a pretty good feel for how super speedy your marathon pace could be by now!

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21 Danielle November 15, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Great job on your long run today! You’re totally going to rock the Disney Marathon :)

Have fun at the Food and Wine Festival. I can’t wait to read all about it.
Danielle

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22 Tay November 15, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Great job!! At the Nike women’s marathon in SF they hand out orange slices at around mile 7 or so. It’s so refreshing!! But then kind of dangerous because you have to dodge all the orange peels on the ground! ;-)

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23 jennylikestorun November 15, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Wow that’s incredible! Well done girl :D You totally kicked ASS!! You’re such an inspiration.
Well done on an incredible time!
I love the idea of fruit, i definitely think I’ll try that next time I’m out on a big run instead of lollies :)

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24 Jenna November 15, 2009 at 3:09 pm

great job at the run this morning and your breakfast looks yummy :)
have fun at your meeting and i can’t wait to hear alla bout it!!
jenna

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25 Kate November 15, 2009 at 3:29 pm

Nice work!

However, I do have to say that is too fast and at a too high AHR for such a long run. Training at (nearly) goal marathon pace is fun, but can be incredibly dangerous; first, because it increases your risk of burnout, but second because it means your time on feet is waaaay lower.

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26 eaternotarunner November 15, 2009 at 4:18 pm

Congrats that is an awesome run! I am just impressed you didn’t get bored during 17 miles ;-)

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27 Nicole November 15, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Wow! Congratulations!

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28 ~Jessica~ November 15, 2009 at 5:33 pm

One word: wow. You are a speed demon!

I can only aspire to your running greatness. Altogether now: we’re not worthy!’

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

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29 Erin November 15, 2009 at 5:42 pm

Holy crap! You are amazing Meghann! Good for you :)

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30 greensandjeans November 15, 2009 at 5:50 pm

Great job Meghann! Nothing like doing better than even YOU think you can do!

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31 Melissa S. November 15, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Yeahhh!!!! I was so happy to talk to you after my race! Thanks for calling, and great job on your run!!!

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32 The Pancake Girl November 15, 2009 at 6:56 pm

Great run!! The scenery you run against is gorgeous, btw.. that would def help make me want to get up and run early in the morn!

(www.joelygolightly.wordpress.com)

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33 Christy November 15, 2009 at 7:12 pm

wow 17 miles! that’s crazy/awesome! i know you said you stopped in publix to buy some fuel but do you just continuously run the whole 2.5+ hrs???

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34 RhodeyGirlTests November 15, 2009 at 8:39 pm

Congrats on the great run Meghann! Can’t wait to see the video!

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35 Meg @ Be Fit Be Full November 15, 2009 at 9:30 pm

Congrats on your 17 miler! You did an amazing job!

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36 legalstyle November 15, 2009 at 9:45 pm

your long runs and marathon training are making me nostalgic… i miss it! congratulations on this big one. must feel great to get out of the way!

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37 sisrocks1996 November 15, 2009 at 10:21 pm

Congrats on 17! I think I’m embarking on marathon training. EEK. Are you thinking about Boston anytime your getting FAST.

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38 Jamie November 15, 2009 at 11:36 pm

Wow 17 miles…. I am always in awe when I read your blog and how easy you make running sound! I know it isn’t easy but I just think its really cool that you are such an avid runner… congrats on 17!

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39 Elina November 16, 2009 at 12:38 am

Wow, that IS ass-kicking! ;) The perfect way to start an overindulgent day. I haven’t run more than 7 miles on my own… the idea of 17 without a cheerful friend by my side would scare me. Great job, Meghann!!!!

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40 Stephanie November 16, 2009 at 9:01 am

Wow! You are amazing!!! As I sit here in my sickness, I am so jealous of you being able to run! :-)

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41 Whit November 16, 2009 at 12:55 pm

It’s been said, but I’ll say it again…you are awesome!

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