Long Run

This morning I had originally planned to drive to Lake Harriet for another tour of the lakes, but my laziness got the best of me and I procrastinated long enough where I decided to just run in Lakeville.  I planned for around 10 miles; my knee has been sore ever since I sat on it awkwardly after my last long run, so I didn't want to push too hard.

This was the hilliest route for a double digit run thus far.  The middle third wasn't bad, but the starting and ending 3 miles or so had some elevation change.  I actually picked the route pretty well; it really wasn't too bad.  I ran down Ipava to Antler's Park, out to 210th St, over to Holyoke, back to Dodd, and through a neighborhood back to Ipava (see route).  My knee felt sore around mile 7 or so, but I pushed through and it actually felt better after the run than before it.

Being able to average under 10 minute miles for 10+ miles in Lakeville makes me pretty happy.  I didn't really plan for a long run in the days before like I have previously.  I didn't have a big pasta dinner like I usually do.  The ability to run a distance such as this without much preparation shows me that I have come a long way.  In fact, I'm confident I'm in the best running shape I've ever been in.  I'm not sure how successful I would be in a marathon at this point, but I think I'd be able finish and be able to beat my pathetic time from 2006.

I signed up for the Monster Dash on 10/31.  I don't think I'll wear a costume or anything, but that's where I'm planning to achieve my goal of a sub 2 hour half marathon.  Carena has signed up as well.  They have all sorts of distances: 5k, 10 mile, and half marathon, so you should sign up too!