Well ladies and gents,

I’m so happy that today I reached the peak of this marathon training cycle. The 20 mile long run.

It was another early rise but soooooo worth it!

The amazing race director of the New Jersey Marathon, Joe, puts on a bunch of free long training runs along the course of the marathon with (self serve) aid stops where water, gatorade and Gu are provided.

We met up at the local running store in Pier Village which is in Long Branch, New Jersey just a few tenths of a mile from where the finish line will be for the Marathon.

Joe (yep, on a first name basis with the most caring, friendly, race director I’ve ever met) even had the finishers medal out on display for us to see and get super pumped about! It’s awesome….

I love how each year they feature a positive message. This year it’s “Let your Star shine. Be Brilliant”. Last year, it revolved around rebounding after Hurricane Sandy. The front said “Run-Restore-Rebuild” and on the back it said “Up and Running”. They had a bunch of last year’s shirts that people could take for free today. I LOVE my shirt so having a back up seemed great. Unfortunately they only had size small left so I’ll look like a sausage in it but I don’t turn down free stuff!

Since this race is along the coast a lot of the course was severely damaged during Sandy (even this year there are parts still under construction).

I met up with Jane at 7am and we waited until the 10 minute mile group was ready. With a quick head’s up about obeying traffic and following the cones with directional signs, we were off…

It was in the mid to high 30s for most of the run but the sun was warm. The miles were flying by at first but that was short lived. From mile 15-20 I really had to dig deep. I got a little cranky (ok maybe a lot) and just wanted to be done.

A few things that maybe weren’t too smart.

1. I opted to rely on provided aid stops but they were spaced out pretty far (more than 3 miles) and by the time we got to many of them there was only gatorade left and no water.

2. I GUZZLED water at the first aid stop. I think I had 3 full cups of water.

3. Tried to make up for missed out fuel at mile 5 but eating double at mile 10. I made myself sick. My stomach was sloshing and I knew it was dumb.

4. We started out a bit fast. It came back to bite us (well maybe just me….Jane was a rockstar!) around mile 15.

But a few things went right too.

1. My favorite Anti-Chafe balm continued to do right by me! I swear by this stuff.

2. I wore just the right gear. Never got too hot. Just a bit cold for the first mile because it was windy.

3. Psychologically it felt really great to have completed 20 miles straight. Most of my marathon training cycles (actually I think all of them) I ran 7 miles and then a half marathon so there was always 30 minutes or so in between.

4. I confirmed that if the weather is going to be similar then i will wear the exact outfit I wore today. It was comfortable and that’s super important.

A few pics of Jane and me…

Next up was breakfast! We hit up the All Seasons Diner about 10 minutes away.

Jane went with a big ole belgian waffle with fruit and whipped cream and I chose an egg burrito that had sausage, peppers, onions and mozzarella cheese

Jane and I parted ways and I came home and showered and before I realized how exhausted I was, I took the dog for a 2 1/2 mile walk. This actually was quite beneficial in keeping me from getting stiff. Beneficial to the doodle too.

Then we stopped by a friends’ house so he could get a little attention.

I have been suffering from a skin condition for many years now. It’s called Melasma. It usually affects women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills but I am neither. Just not so lucky. I hate it so much. It basically is awkward brown blotches on the face. You can see from this pic my upper lip and cheeks are really discolored.

It’s exacerbated by the sun. So these long runs really do a number on me. I wear sunscreen/sunglasses and a hat/visor but it still happens 🙁 Not life threatening but really ugly and very hard to get rid of. Anyway, just thought i’d share.

Now while we’re talking about the unjust in the world. What’s up with skimping on the chocolate chips Edys?!

OK had to get that off my chest.

My night came to a close at the chinese restaurant. I sampled a Pu Pu platter for the first time in my life!

I’m so tired I need to go to bed right n…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Question: Do you have anything you’re self conscious of?