8 Miles and Done

This morning I had to do another long run, 7-8 miles. My goal was to go out and run seven, possibly eight if I was feeling up to it. I was feeling a bit unmotivated to get going, but eventually I made it out there at around 9:00.

But first, fuel!

I had a bagel thin + almond butter + banana with some water.

(yes, this is a recycled photo from my last long run, I eat the same thing!)

One of my tactics to attacking longer runs is to break it up into sections. I generally run an out and back route of two miles (two miles out, two back, equals four total), take a break at my house for a minute to get water+fuel, and head back out in the opposite direction and finish my run. Today after my pit stop I ran another two miles out and two miles back, equaling eight miles total.

At my break at mile four, I decided to try a Clif Shot. My rule is to only consume these for runs seven miles or longer. I can tell you, I think it really helped. It tasted like mocha frosting, very thick (you need to drink LOTS of water when eating these) and sugary.

I finished the last four miles pretty strong.

Stats

Total Distance – 8 miles
Total Elapsed Time – 1:23:30
Average Pace – 10:26
Average Speed – 5.7 mph
Calories Burned – 952

Splits

mile 1 – 10:28
mile 2 – 10:02
mile 3 – 11:06
mile 4 – 10:44
stopped home and took a clif shot + water
mile 5 – 11:01
mile 6 – 10:34
mile 7 – 10:15
mile 8 – 9:15

Phew! I love the feeling of going out for a certain number of miles and doing more than planned, it feels so great! Bring on the miles! 😉

Post run eats. A yogurt mess. My other favorite.

In the mess: strawberry chobani + 1/2 cup of oats + handful of granola. Yummm.

After my run, I went to a family barbecue, where I ate lots of fresh fruit, veggies, a veggie burger, and a sliver of my mom’s home made cheesecake. And went for a dip in the pool. Had a great time with the fam! 😉 Enjoying summer before it’s over!