Twenty's Plenty!

Just finished my first 20-miler in 30 years!  Not feeling too bad!!

It's a cool day (about 5C) with a chilly north-easterly breeze.  Wrapped up in two layers and wore hat & gloves.  Some of the run was sheltered and sunny (hat & gloves off and sleeves rolled up); other parts felt bitterly cold in the wind.

Was very glad to have the loan of the Camelbak-type drink backpack (thanks Jenny!) and drank about one litre.

As usual, the first hour felt comfortably like a warm-up.  The next hour was OK, then my muscles started to tighten up and the psychological games started (am I half way round yet?).  My route was, as usual, unique (to me) in places and I had a nasty moment at about 16 miles when I took a footpath across fields at random, then wasn't sure where I was.  It did take my mind off the distance though!  ;) 

All turned out well, although I was a little out on my estimated distance, so that I was still about 3 miles from home after 18 miles.  (I had planned to run somewhere between 19 & 20 miles.)  Usually I underestimate the distance, so that I have to add in a little extra loop at the end.  However it was a great feeling to know that I would run at least 20 miles.  When I hit that magic number, I stopped running and walked home as my warm-down.  I had a think about whether I thought I could have managed another 6 miles: although I didn't feel the need to run any more today, I think that I probably could manage it.  It's the first time that I've believed that I will be able to finish the marathon.

Towards the end, instead of feeling heavy-legged, my legs felt strangely numb and I felt as light as a feather.  I almost laughed when I saw 20 miles on my watch.  Not sure if that means that I hit and got past The Wall, or if I've just been enjoying the endorphins.

Must watch Run, Fat Boy, Run again...