We got on the 7:55am train from Grand Central to Hartsdale, NY. This was the first time this season that the Manhattan and Brooklyn teams did a run together. Their group is so much bigger than ours!
The train took about 40 minutes, and then we walked over to this area to discuss the run. It was a really pretty setting. We're all getting tired of our usual run routes, so it was nice to have a change.
The weather was a LOT warmer than it has been for any of our other runs. It was in the low 60's and mixed sun and clouds, and pretty humid. I decided to wear shorts as a "dress rehearsal" for the big race. I've always had to wear pants for all the past runs, but I think it will be too warm for that in a few weeks.
The coaches all recommend doing NOTHING NEW on race day. Don't wear new clothes, don't eat different food, don't try anything you haven't tried before. Hence the shorts wearing.
We did a 10 mile out-and-back loop twice. The route was really pretty, but it was hard. There were a lot of steep inclines and declines. The downhills are rough on my legs, and I was really dreading them on the 2nd out-and-back. I thought it was going to be a trail run, but it was actually a paved path. I think a trail run would have felt better on my joints.
Some days are great running days, and some days aren't. I think this just wasn't one of my good days. It felt like everything hurt. Nothing was a severe pain that would stop me from running. It was just a general everything pain. It was kind of comforting to hear afterwards that everyone found this run really tough. I'm not glad they were struggling, but I'm happy that I wasn't the only one!
I had to stop and stretch a few times, and I even took a 2 minute walk break around mile 17. We haven't really been taking walk breaks during our runs, but those few minutes gave me the gas to keep going.
It was really great running with Elizabeth. She really pulled me along this time. If I was running alone, I would have made that walk break a lot longer!
I have never been so happy to finish. I really, really wanted some more water. I finished all of mine in my fuel belt. Last week I felt like I could keep going after 20 miles. Yesterday I didn't.
The great part is: now we will taper. Each weekend we will do a shorter run to recover before the big day. I think next weekend is only 10-12 miles. Hooray! That sounds short now.
Here I am post 20 mile run. I think I win the super-white legs contest! I remembered to put on sunblock this time, so my face isn't as red as it was after last weeks run.
We were all cheering for everyone as they finished their 20 miles. For a lot of people this was the longest run they have ever done. 
Here's Eddie (from our Brooklyn team) and my friend Elizabeth, post 20 mile run. Even Eddie looked like he was struggling a little during this run. When Eddie is struggling, you know it is hard!
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