20 miles in 3:01:12
Looks like I am totally on pace to PR!!! 
Before my run I fueled up with AB&J
And I packed up Gatorade, some chews and a fig cookie I got yesterday at Whole Foods. 
The cookie didn’t work as well as I wanted because it was super dry and hard to eat. Next time I’ll stick to chewies or try something else. 
My run started out great! I love going downhill and the first 7 miles are pretty much all down 🙂
After that I did two 5 mile loops around Ben’s old neighborhood that I love. I stopped for water at a park twice (once each time around). Then, I headed back towards home.
I only needed 3 more miles and then was going to call Ben to pick me up.
Everything was going fantastic until my head phones started to short out. My sweat got to the part where two pieces plug together and they broke 🙁
I basically listened to the chorus of 50 Cent’s “Hate It or Love It” 8 times. Without the verses. It’s not as cool as you’d think. Especially when you’re at mile 18 going uphill. Seriously.
Finally I was done! 20 miles complete!!!
This is actually a super big deal because I have only completed one other 20 miler in training ever! (And this will be my third marathon.)
My first marathon I ended up maxing out at 19 miles. And I did pretty well in this race, so I am a big proponent of “It’s better to be 10% under trained, then 1% over-trained.”
Then, I was training for Disney while living in Maryland and did complete 20 miles, but ended up run/walking the last 5 miles.
I’m very proud of myself because I’ve always ended up cutting my long training runs short because of different reasons. Not this time. It was tough, very tough. But I pushed though. And I’m glad I did.
“There will come a day when you can no longer do this. Today is not that day.”
I think I got that quote from Caitlin’s blog, but I forget. Anyways, I said it to myself today.
When I was done I was still 4 miles away from home, so I called Ben to come save the day. I stretched while I waited.
I took a long time getting up from the ground when Ben found me and he told me to hurry up because it felt like he was picking up a hot, sweaty hooker. I can’t argue with the hot, sweaty part. 
I got home and took a quick cold water bath. We need more ice to actually make it an ice bath. Then, I made a massive smoothie with a new protein powder that I’m probably going to return. Not a fan. 
And I also toasted up a bagel and topped it with whipped cream cheese and jam. This totally hit the spot. Yummmmm.
I was still hungry after breakfast so I ate some chips with beans. You too can eat chips with homemade beans on Monday 😉
Now I must pack my things and get ready for vacation!!!
We are actually taking a red-eye flight. Normally I can’t sleep on planes, but after running 20 miles I’m pretty sure I’m going to fall asleep on the way to the airport.
Question: Can you sleep on planes? On long car rides?
OMG I cannot believe you ran 20 miles – THAT IS SO INCREDIBLE! you are amazing.
Congratulations on the 20 miler Monica! I can’t even fathom that – yet-
but it’s inspiring to see that it can be don. I can’t sleep in cars, but yes to planes, ’cause I usually take gravol Gravol:)
i cant stop laughing at the hooker comment. lmao. id look like a hot sweaty crackhead if i ran 20 miles. COngrats on the PR time during your training! you’ll do great during your mary.
Wow, 3 hours of running. I can’t even imagine, but congrats to you! Loved the “hot sweaty hooker” line! Have a wonderful vacation.
Nice job, that is incredible! I’m sure you will sleep like a baby on your flight. I can sleep anytime, anywhere. It’s a talent, and kind of a concern.
Daaaang, Girl! Way to destroy that 20 mile run! Great time, too! I wish I had your speed! What’s your secret?!? 😉
Have a great flight!
Wow! 20 miles!! That is crazy awesome!!
I CANNOT sleep on planes. Not at all. No matter what I do. 🙁
wait a minute… were those Cheddar Food Should Taste Good chips in the background? Is this a new flavor, I’ve never seen before? I must track some of those down soon.
Congrats on your last long run!
Yeah – Cheddar. I got them at Ralphs on sale 🙂
Have a great trip and lots of sleep on the plane!
20 miles is so impressive to me! You are awesome.
Congrats! What’s your PR goal? Are you completing a 22 miler or is 20 your max? Sorry for all the questions. I guess I feel like a stalker now…
Have fun on your vacation! How exciting!
I am notorious for falling asleep on the plane and in the car, like immediately. I’m always sleepy after 30 minutes or so in the car. I don’t know what it is, I just pass out if I’m not the one driving or there isn’t some good conversation going on.
Wow, amazing!!! great job!!
Great job on the long run! What a great way to start off your vacation! I can usually sleep on planes, unless i get sucked into a movie. Hopefully your flight wont be too crowded and you can spread out.
I LOVE that quote! People ask me where I get my motivation to workout/run and I always say, “I do it because I can!” There are so many people who can’t for a number of different reasons and I feel fortunate to be able to be so active. 🙂
I can only sleep on planes if I’m exhausted – my fiance can fall asleep anytime, anywhere. It’s a talent, really. 😉
Great job! Long mile runs are such a mind game, and I’m not always good at that. I assume you just think of all the crazy comments you get about things like vaseline on your long runs and laugh your ass off the whole way; that’s what I do, anyway.
Wow, 20 miles! I’d love to run that much someday (soon). That’s a lot of fuel (food) you got there, but a 20-mile run needs that much right?
In terms of your question, I can sleep on planes and long car rides, but not all the way through. I need a bed to have a good night’s sleep.
I tend to get SUPER sleepy, but can’t usually actually fall asleep.
Have a great trip!
Congratulations on such a solid 20 mile training run! I can only hope mine goes so well next week. I am already getting excited about the distance. Eat and grin all day…nice work!!
Congrats Monica! What a great run.
Have a great flight and a wonderful vacation.
Congrats on your 20-miler!!!!! AMAZING! Finishing your last ‘long run’ of a training program is the BEST FEELING! Enjoy the day, you deserve it 🙂