Not my most favorite 20 miles ever.

There was a reason I was nervous for my 20 miler.  The reason was that I knew going into it that it was going to really hurt.  My stomach just did not like Thailand and it is still acting up so there were some definite stops during this run but I am glad I finished even though I wanted a stomach transplant for 95% of the run.    

20 miles—> around a 7:20 average pace (I forgot to push stop on the last 2.5 miles so it kept going for a little bit and I am not sure what the real time was for that portion).  

Those 10 miles in the middle turned into 2 x 5 marathon pace miles instead of 10 straight because of a break that I had to take halfway through.  

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We ran the exact course of our upcoming marathon and the 10 marathon paced miles that we did were on the hardest 10 of the course.  It was a lot harder than I remembered it to be so it is a good thing we did it because I don’t want to be surprised on race day.

The girls came prepared with maps and bottles of water that we stopped and put along the course as we were driving to the start.  One of my friend’s husbands took us to the start, bless his soul for getting up so early to do this for us.  

8 weeks until game time.  I have a lot of work to do.  A LOT.

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Two of us got really hot a few miles into the run and so we hid our jackets in bushes and then my mom and I went back later on to get them.  What a wonderful thing to be running and getting too hot vs. freezing our heads off like we have been experiencing the last 5 months.  

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The Jason’s Deli in my area is closing and so the three of us went in for one last ginormous salad and ice cream cone.

What Brooke now does when you ask her to smile.  I also love that she was trying to put her arm around me for the picture.  

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A Costco trip was made (first time in months, I no longer have a membership so I just try and go with my mom) and I decided this is the next book I will be reading.  It is amazing what people go through and how they make the best of their situations!

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Brooke got to see a movie with her friends and the entire movie was about birds.  She was in heaven.  

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And I got some quality time later on with one of my favorite people at a place called Pop’nSweets.  Root beer is delicious.  

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So proud of my amazing friend’s duathlon yesterday! GO HEATHER!

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Who has a Costco membership?  How often do you go?!?

HARDEST race course that you have ever done?

Water—>  what do you do for the long run?  Carry it, water fountains, leave some in specific spots, you go without it?

Hot, cold or just right on your last run?

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64 comments

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I carry my water but I sort of hate doing that, there just isn’t really a way for me to put it out where I run. It’s been a little toasty on my last two runs (80 degrees!) but it’s such a welcome change that I don’t care haha.

Hardest course I’ve done was a trail race where the hills were so steep that everyone had to walk up!

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I’m not the best at hydrating during long runs, but my training partner wears a belt and I drink from that.

I ran a 10k yesterday (with an avg 7:20 pace) and that was tough for me. Your marathon paced miles are so fast, you are amazing. :-)

Enjoy your rest day!

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The hardest race I have ever run was the Iron Girl half because it goes over 2 ginormous bridges and then back again. Crazy hard. I was supposed to run it again today but I am injured so good luck to all my girls out there. Oh, and I go to Costco at least 4 times a day! Love it!

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Hi Janae!

Long time reader and first time commenter (not sure why!) Just wanted to suggest that if your tummy troubles continue you may want to get tested for Giardia and other water borne parasites that are common for international travelers. I say that because I contracted Giardia a few years ago when I volunteered in Western Africa despite the fact that I was very careful to drink safe water and food. My tummy kept acting up and my doc finally put two and two together and fortunately it was a pretty easy fix with medication. Just a thought, hope you feel better soon!

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I second this;)

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I also was going to ask if you’ve visited a doctor yet. Good job pushing through 20 miles even w/ tummy issues!

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I was thinking same thing. I had to get tested last summer after coming back from cabo stomach issues lasted long time. Came out negative but good to check for peace of mind. You can’t tell unless u get a stool sample.

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I agree!! I think it’s time for a trip to the doctor to be sure you don’t have a parasite. Also, have you considered a good probiotic? They can work wonders on your ‘system’. I just started Theralac & TruFlora & I have really noticed a difference in my stomach issues. You can find their website if you google. If you order stick with the website so they are cared for correctly & shipped temperature controlled so they don’t ‘die’. Hope you can get you stomach better really soon!!

Costco–usually 4-6 weeks for milk, frozen organic berries, kruerig cups!!!

Wish I was running! Chronic achilles tendinitis is dragging me down lately. 3 times in 2 years—boo! Considering heading to a sports chiropractor soon. I’m so discouraged. :(

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I was also going to comment about that this morning. It seems like a good idea to get a professional opinion since food poisoning in the classic sense of a bacterial toxin mediated reaction should have a quick onset/offset. That is amazing you finished 20 miles that way though, sooo strong!

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You might consider seeing a physical therapist who specializes on running issues. A thorough assessment of your running mechanics, as well as you legs will he done, and a rags imitation program will be made to fix the current program and ensure raft it doesn’t happen again!

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Janae, I’m chiming in to agree — please go get tested for giardia! I picked up while traveling in Thailand from indulging in those delicious smoothies. They are often made with ice from unfiltered water — parasite city. I was really sick (and in denial) for awhile, and nothing will get rid of it except for heavy duty antibiotics. Do yourself a favor and don’t delay being seen by a doc and tested! feel better soon!

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Thanks so much you guys! I’m going in today or tomorrow! You guys are the best!

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I have a Costco membership and go about once a week to stock up on goodies. I love it. Hardest race I ever did was on a relatively easy course but it was 100 degrees and humid…awful! Longest 5k everrrrrrrrr!

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I don’t drink on long runs, bad! bad! bad!.
The toughest course race was the Jerusalem Half Marathon I ran 3 weeks ago, hills all the time.
Hope to read more about your training for the marathon, those 10 middle miles sound tough at that speed!

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I have a costco membership but don’t go that often. Usually 4x a year when the usual purchases run out

I had a fuel belt on yesterday and hated it. There are zero water fountains in my town so you have to carry it or stash it. I need to find another belt I think.

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We have Sam’s Club here – I still call it Costco – and we go every couple of months or so, mostly when we run out of tp and paper towels.

My hardest race was probably the Oregon Wine Country half marathon – it has this wretched 4 mile hilly loop on loose, BIG, gravel. Terrible.

I have been doing a lot of long runs on my treadmill because of weather, but otherwise I carry my water in a little fanny pack guy.

My last run was warm, bordering on too hot, but it felt so good after this winter!

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Way to go, Janae! I know it didn’t feel great, but at least you know what you’re working with. And if your runs are anything like mine, your next long run may be just great. I have a Costco membership and I have to say, I probably go way to much. Sorry to hear about the Jason’s Deli closing down…. I just shed a tear for you. :(

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Hey! Don’t stress about a hard long run. I always hear that marathon training is about the last 12 months more than the last 12 weeks, and you’ve been training for ages! You’re going to rock that race :)

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I go to costco twice a month. It’s worth the trip just for egg whites. $9 for a 6 pack. I go through 2 a month. Their rotisserie chickens are amazing too.

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I bought a handheld water bottle and I love it! I am terrible with the cup at water station to mouth transfer, so having it literally strapped to me is what works best :)

I’m sure these 8 weeks will be tough but if there’s anything I’ve learned from reading this blog is that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You have been beast mode in everything you’ve done for like a year. I doubt Thailand can stop that ;)

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I hate carrying water so I try to go past places with water fountains and I leave some water on the course if necessary. Hopefully your stomach feels better soon :)

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I used to have a Costco membership, but couldn’t make it there very often since the closest store is about 2 and a half hours away. I miss it now! I loved going there and spending waaaay too much :)

Way to go on your 20! I have to carry a handheld, and then I make my 18-20 miles a loop, so I loop back home half way for more water and Gu if needed. It was actually HOT on my run yesterday morning, it got to about 70 and felt humid already. Not quite ready for that! I like my 40-50s :)

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I’m sorry your run was hard, but way to persevere and finish! I like to carry my camel bak backpack or my running belt on my runs for water and fuel.Do you ever use a running belt or backpack?

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I wear a Nathan hydration vest on long runs. I used to have a belt, but hated it. The vests are WAY more comfortable–I don’t even notice it once I get going!

The hardest race course I’ve ever done was a road race from the base to the top of Mount Washington–7.6 miles straight up a 5,000+ ft. mountain! To give you some perspective of how hard it was, it took me about the same amount of time it would have taken to run a half marathon!

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Well bless. I’m sorry that you had a tougher time than desired (I mean c’mon…20 miles should be totally comfy, right? :P).

The Austin (Half) Marathon is a beast. It’s also my hometown, so I can’t bring myself to hate the course, no matter how much it deserves it. <3

I can now rely on water fountains, since Chicago supplies them, unlike San Antonio. :)

HOT! I can't believe it was snowing two weeks ago!

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I did my 20 yesterday and got caught in a thunderstorm. On one hand, it was very traumatic, but on the other hand my last 5 miles were smokin’ fast! At least I found shelter before the hail storm started.

We’re moving to an area that has a Costco NEXT MONTH! Still debating on if I should let my SAMs club membership go and get the costco one.

I’m paranoid about running out of water for my runs, so I’ll either carry a camelback or plan a route that swings by my car every xx miles to swap out water bottles.

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A costco is being built a mile from my house! Walking distance! The cashiers will soon know me on a first name basis.
Last run my temp was just right! That rarely happens and it felt amazing.

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I have a membership and it busts my bank account every 3 weeks! :) There is such cool stuff there!!

I ran an ultramarathon once (likely the first and last) where the course was a 1km loop and runners ran around that loop for 6 hours…and someone counted how many times you did the loop. 62km that day…was injured for a long time after that!

I carry it with me (fuel belt) during training, but if the race is offering what I train with, I’ll sometimes rely on them.

My last run was AMAZING!! The first real day of spring. I didn’t have to wear a hat! LOL!

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I got to Costco way to often…
Hardest race so far was probably San Francisco 1/2
I really don’t like carrying water on my runs. I will if I’m running over 2 hrs. If not, I just try and set my run around drinking fountains.
Yesterday I ran in capris and a tank and it felt great!

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My run yesterday was just right — a little chilly for the first few minutes, and then perfect once I got going! :)

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I have a water belt, but there are a few wonderful running clubs in my area that leave out huge jugs of ice water along my normal beach route that anyone can use. I cannot thank them enough because there has been a time or two that those jugs of ice water have saved me during a hot summer run! I also have a couple of little convenience stores on my normal route that I sometimes stop at for water and a little break :)

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20 miles at 7:20 pace sounds pretty AWESOME!! And that’s such a good idea hiding water bottles along the route. I’ve tried running with a hand-held bottle and with a fuel belt but both felt really awkward. So now I just plan my long runs around water fountains or I run a loop by my house and stop back home for water.

My last run was in the 60’s… love running in the Spring!

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You never cease to amaze me. Despite feeling awful, you still crushed it, and 20 miles is nothing to sneeze at, whether or not you felt impressed overall. Congrats!

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Omigosh, you’re so sweet to post about my race! Made my day! And way to go on 20 miles!! Hope our tummy is ok. That course is hard in my books. At least the first half I think is. I need to go run it a couple of times before June. That is for sure my hardest race I’ve ever done. Well at least hardest marathon for sure. Also any half ironman distance for me is intense but worth it when you cross the finish line. And Jason’s Deli is closing!?! I’m seriously about ready to cry right now!! Do you know why or when?? :(

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I go to Costco about once a month. And always spend way more than I planned……

I recently got a 22 oz handheld water bottle that I’ve been using for my long runs (though I’m nowhere near 20 miles yet). And yesterday I ran my first long run of the year in shorts and a t-shirt. It was awesome.

I did a 10k in March that had about 600ft of elevation gain over 2 miles. That was tough but I definitely earned my downhill!

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Ok, I am staying up late typing this out with one finger on my ipad because you need my advice. I have lived in Asia for years. Food poisoning is just a hazard that comes with the territory. I am an expert on the topic. I hold records in projectile vomiting distance.

THIS IS WHAT YOU MUST DO TO RECOVER:

1. If it has been virulent for several days, you must stop eating. It will not stop until you stop eating. Do not eat for 24 hrs. Obviously, drink water or green tea.
2. Reintroduce foods using BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). As in bland. Go slow and don’t rush. After a couple days, you’ll be back to normal and ready for your next bout.
3. If it is malingering, cut back on food and go bland. Pound yogurt. Buy good quality probiotics, the kind you store in the fridge. If you have bad food poisoning repeatedly, you do damage to your gut by flushing out good bacteria so you need to replace it or you’ll have chronic digestive problems.

I has been here and done that. There are no alternatives to these rules. Attempts to circumvent will only enhance misery.

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Is that cats on your shirt??!! Where is it from?! I need it!!

20 miles at 7:20 is amazing! Someday I hope I can run that fast!

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Good job on your 20 miles! I like to carry water with me on a belt… but not too much. My last run, the weather was PERFECT! 65 degrees and sunny. It wasn’t too hot but it wasn’t cold.

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Sprechers! My favorite! I was just at the brewery last night for a bachelorette party.

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I live in Arizona, carrying water is a must or you will die in the desert! I prefer running in the heat vs. the cold probably because I’m accustomed to it. It’s not easy though. In the summer, you have to wake up at 4am because it’s already 90 by 6. But I don’t mind waking up early. That picture of Brooke is way too cute!

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I think the toughest race I’ve had so far has been the Great Wall Marathon in China… there’s a decent amount of ‘steps’ involved for part of the run.

For long races/runs, I use a lightweight backpack and carry supplies in there. I find it more convenient than running with water in my hand or waiting until I get to a fountain.

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I just discovered your blog. I LOVE IT! I will DEFINITELY be back here often! Thanks for balancing family life and healthy activities in a way that will inspire many!

Blessings,
Marybeth

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Well, after running today’s Fitness Mag Women’s Half in Central Park this morning and having to stop right before the seven mile mark because I definitely didn’t feel well, this now becomes the hardest race/run of my life lol. I ran it last year but oh what a difference those hills are when you don’t feel well. I am proud of myself for stopping and acknowledging that my body needed to stop though, not an easy thing to do!

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We did our first 10k this morning, my 6yr old finished in 1:11:50, I finished about 11 minutes after him.

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I have never been to a Costco before… lame, I know! They don’t have them around here :s

Hardest race ever for me – it’s a tie between a hilly and muddy trail marathon I ran in 2011 and the Boston Marathon’s hot and humid weather in 2012!

My last long run was cool, but just right, with a nasty wind :s Good practice because I’m sure race day will be windy in North Dakota!

Great job on your 20-miler! You were moving along at quite a pace!

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I can’t tell you how many times we have had to drop clothing and go back and get it. It is almost a fun game my husband and I play because no matter how well we try to remember where we dropped it we always have to search extra hard when we go back!

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The warmer weather definitely threw me for a loop on my run today after the cold winter training runs by body is used to (although I am a lot slower than you are!). Way to push through the tummy problems, you’re a running rockstar!

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I hate having to carry water (or anything really) but I have for long runs in August. Sorry about your stomach! That in my opinion is just the worst on a long run. It was 65 when I ran today and after a winter of 20 and below I was ridiculous hot today! I think I’m definitely more of a cold weather runner. As much as I complain about the winter I run better that way.

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I have a Costco membership that I split with my sister. We rotate paying the fee each year so it works out well. I use it to buy toilet paper, paper towel, clothes and books, although we’re branching out into some food now that the boys are getting older and eating more!

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I have a Sam’s Club membership and I usually go every couple of weeks. I have a few go-to items that I pick up there and that’s all. It was just perfect on my last run…. on Wednesday… and who knows when I can start running again :( Thanks hamstring strain!

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I would probably say today’s marathon was the hardest course I’ve ever done. I’ve done worst half marathons but this being a full it was really torture. Plus it was really hot and I’m not used to running in the heat after doing all my training in the freezing cold!

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yay for finishing your 20 miler! you are my running hero…seriously :) hope you had a great weekend!

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Sam’s Club membership & I can never get out of there spending under than $150!
Hardest courses were Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA because it was so hilly and a ridiculous uphill at the very end of the course = painful finish! Bucks County half marathon in PA was also a very hilly course…my quads burned for a solid week and maybe more!
I am a water carrier! I have used belts, but those were really annoying with the bouncing. I have hand held bottles…a larger one for long runs and another for shorter runs…don’t know how I would survive without!
Love running in cooler temps…don’t like running at all in humidity. I really feel like my legs are stuck in cement!
Great persistence on your 20 miler! You rock! Hope you are feeling better soon. Stomach issues & running are not fun!

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I’ve been carrying a Nathan water bottle on any runs that are 10 and over…it’s not as bad as I thought it would be, but I don’t love it. But I like it more than wearing a belt…And I can’t handle the gatorade at the stops, I need my Nuun or Ignite Naturals, so carrying it is a must!
We have a Sams membership right now, but we just got a new Costco, so when Sams expires, we’re going to Costco because it is SOOOO much nicer – and they seem to have healthier brands…

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I love Costco! I never go in just buying what I need. I have been struggling with figuring out what the best way to carry water during a long run is. I just purchased a Simple Hydration water bottle, which came as a recommendation from another blogger. I am excited to try it. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Hydration-Water-Bottle-13/dp/B00A7FOL3U/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1397439238&sr=1-1&keywords=simple+hydration+water+bottle

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Congrats lady, so proud of you for doing such an amazing job on your long run!! :) Way to beast it! :)

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glad you’re posting all these motivational books. i’m driving out to colorado this weekend and need some good reading material :)

costco is my fav. i just went this weekend and stocked up on the noms!

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The Sprecher root beer is made in the city I live in. If you go there, they give you a bunch of free samples of their different root beers and cream sodas. It’s fabulous :)

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I used to have a costco membership, but it was like 40 minutes away and I never remembered to go, so we didn’t renew it.

For races, I usually stick to aid stations and carry a small handheld to refill, but during long runs, I carry a hydration pack.

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I’m glad your jackets were still there, haha!

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