20 miles done.

20 miles in the bank.  Planned to do the whole thing slow and comfortable.  First 13.1 as part of the NYRR Staten Island Half Marathon, then 7 miles after (my apartment is 7 miles exactly straight up the West Side Highway from the Staten Island Ferry terminal building in Battery Park).

The run went exactly opposite of how I wanted it to go.  Started out good- comfortable, no effort pace.  Then I started to descend.  For absolutely no reason.  Negative split the half marathon probably by at least 2-3 minutes.

Took some Tylenol, had a 25 minute ferry-ride break, then started back up the West Side Highway.  It was hot.  I was sore.  Was able to pick up the pace the last few miles, and am happy the run is done.  But I really wish I had run it like I meant to.

And it was really hot, and I am REALLY sunburned.  Yes, it is October.

Lesson 1- I think that I just cannot use the NYRR races as 'training' runs.  Never am able to hold the slower, comfortable pace that I want to in that atmosphere. 

Lesson 2- If the marathon is as hot as it was today, I need to run with my water bottle with Nuun.  I was hurting today towards the end of the run, and a bottle of ice cold powerade really made a difference in the last 3-4 miles.

Lesson 3- Immodium is awesome (Thanks RR!).  First long run in a WHILE with no bathroom stops.

Lesson 4- I have NO CLUE what to expect from this damn marathon.

Now, I have a date with Gossip Girl.  

No, not to watch.  They are shooting on my street.  I am going to go be a teenage girl and take camera phone pictures :)

Ps- CONGRATS TO RR and Maggs on KONA yesterday!!!  My friend Julia, in her first Ironman, rocked out a 10.53 and got 7th in her age group! Super star!