Three Things Thursday.

1. I did the Running with Spatulas virtual 10k yesterday. I diligently took a picture of my Garmin at 6.2 miles and now I can't get the photo off my phone  I am gifted like that. I ran it in 54:19.  Not my fasted ever, BUT it was all part of a bigger run.

The weather was freaking gorgeous, a perfect spring morning, temps in the mid forties when I started and slightly breezy.  I was afraid it was going to be a muddy one, but most of the roads were dried out enough to avoid major slippage and I avoided the field roads.

Since there is also a photo contest for the virtual run I made a lame attempt at a Running with Spatulas photo.  I think I could have been a bit more creative but the kids were having trouble focusing and Cola would not stand in line with us and keep a spatula in his collar, also why is the cat mooning the camera?

Yep, this is how we spatulate!

2. I then went on to run another almost 7 miles to get in the Detroit Runners "I Just Felt Like Running" virtual half marathon.  At mile 10 I stopped back at my house to change out of my Pure Flows, they were still feeling great but since the longest run I have done in them so far is 8 miles I didn't want to overdo it.  Refilled my water bottles and headed back out.

Time was really flying by as I was listening to A Game of Thrones, which is the first book in the A Song of Fire and Ice series.  SO GOOD! I have read the whole series several times and just love it more and more every time.  I think this audio book will last through a lot of long runs, it is 33 hours long!  YAY

3. From there I went on to do another 6 miles to make 19 miles.  A new personal distance record!  YAY  Although I am not going to lie, those last two miles were really hurting!  I took a GU at miles 7 and 14.  I also ate some jelly beans at random points along the way.  I am supposed to be giving up candy for lent, but I don't think fueling for a run really counts.

My pace was 8:44, which is right in the range of where I want to be, for a total time of 2:46:12.  I am going to take on 20 miles in ten days next weekend.  Then I will cut back for a week or two, then take on a 22 at some point.   I hope to have at least 3 runs greater than 20 before the marathon.  I think it will boost me mentally.  I know they say all you really need is 20, but I think I need a little more.

Also on a not so happy note, they found Sherry Arnold's body yesterday, so at least now the family can have some closure and give her a proper burial.