Monday, March 21, 2011

last long run ...

Yesterday morning, I ran my last long run of this training cycle. G, IronJ, KC, 3L, SpeeDee, A, R and I met up at West Creek for two six mile loops. When I arrived, I heard G talking about how she felt that it was a cheetah kind of day. And I knew, before I even saw her, that our ESP was in full force. We had somehow managed to show up in essentially the same outfit.

I look seriously ginormous next to G. I'm like a foot taller than her. It's insane.

Enough digression. Back to the run. We set out with an easy pace.

G is still recovering from an ankle injury and her pace is supposed to be "controlled." Yeah, about that. The four miles that she joined us for clocked in at 9:47, 9:11, 9:03, and 9:14 - not exactly controlled. But, I swear, I tried to slow us down.

At mile six, we picked up G (now on her bike), 3L and KC (who came directly from an overnight shift). Again, we said we were going to "take it easy." But, it seems that whenever you get us together and talking, we switch into autopilot and the miles tick away. Our last six miles were 9:11, 8:59, 8:56, 8:57, 8:48, and 8:48. It was effortless and the perfect way to end an awesome training cycle.

Now, just 9 miles and 5 days stand between me and the start line of the National Marathon. I don't think I could be any more excited ...
at

27 comments:

  1. gba_gf March 21, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Still laughing about the psychic cheetah/black sock moment... makes me long for the days at Twickory when we matched more often than we didn't... oh... yea, that was like 3 weeks ago. Time seems to move slower when you're wearing a "BOOT".

    I am so excited to be at mile 22/23 of National, I can't. even. tell. you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rene'March 21, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    i love running/friend bestie ESP! and National get ready 'cause here you come!!! Good luck on your tapering:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. katMarch 21, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Awesome run, you both looked very cute in your matching outfits.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Running RicigMarch 21, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    gotta love getting in great miles without even noticing. I need more friends that run!

    ReplyDelete
  5. amyMarch 21, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Race week is always the hardest for me. It's hard to "only" do something like 9 miles. As our coach likes to remind us though, the hay is in the barn!

    ReplyDelete
  6. JenMarch 21, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    Ya'll are too cute. And I Do NOT have a cheetah skirt.... working on my National outfit, though.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMarch 21, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    You guys look great! I will be at the 1/2 on Saturday. good luck with 26.2!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Love your skirt!! Wow you are tall! Good luck runner girl!

    ReplyDelete
  9. KatieMarch 21, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    i am so pumped for you and this race!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. MarleneMarch 21, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Awesome final long run to wrap thinks up. I am SOOOO excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. fancy nancyMarch 21, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Sounds like a great run!!!! You are going to ROCK National!!!!! So excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnneMarch 21, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    So excited for your marathon! I just know you are going to rock that PR!!! It's been a long time coming...and you so deserve to do well! Have a blast T!

    ReplyDelete
  13. JillMarch 21, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    You guys are fun. I'm going to start running now to meet you guys and hope to be there in a couple of weeks. I will pick up a cheetah skirt on my way so we can all match!

    Great run! So nice to have a group of gals to run with! Love the outfits.

    ReplyDelete
  14. EmilyMarch 21, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    im so excited for you!!! yayyy marathon week!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownMarch 21, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    I'm really looking forward to your race report. National has a half, right? I would love to run it in the next couple of years.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Runners FuelMarch 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    Looks like a great long last run!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerMarch 21, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    What a GREAT way to end your training cycle! You are going to have the run of a life time. I don't think your training could be more spot on.
    Enjoy the final prep days, distract yourself with loads of family fun and tear it up on race day!

    ReplyDelete
  18. SupermomE13March 21, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    You guys look awesome and it is such a great confidence booster to have a great last long run. Good job!! Enjoy the week and take it as easy as a mom can. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    You are going to rock the race - and you look so cute in that cheetah skirt!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. SamanthaMarch 21, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Oh, man you all are some hot cheetas! I need to get myself a snazzy skirt. So excited for National...I'll be doing the half. Good luck with your marathon!

    ReplyDelete
  21. KitteeMarch 21, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Love the Cheetah movement...

    Good Luck in your Marathon. I am sure you will rock it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Stefanie D.March 21, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Nice job on your times. I am totally jealous of your running pack. They are pretty much the awesome-est bunch ever.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Julie D.March 21, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    nice long run! so excited for you...you are going to PR by more than 30, I'm sure!! Get after it!

    ReplyDelete
  24. CarlyMarch 21, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Love how you travel with your posse. And I am excited to see how awesome you do this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnneMarch 21, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    BTW Tonia, please switch to follow my new blog and delete the old one, there were serious problems with it. Here's the new link :)

    http://www.anne-asthmaandthegiftofrunning.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mel -Tall Mom on the RunMarch 21, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Love it!! You me and G could be a T-Mobile sign..

    you will ROCK!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownMarch 23, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    You girls look so cute - I'm so jealous of you having great running partners (I mean, my hubby is great, but I'd love some gals to run with).

    Hope you have a blast this weekend! Rock it girl!

    ReplyDelete