23 miles - done!

Well, I made it through 23 miles.  I erred on the side of caution and didn't want to risk getting hurt.  I got to 20 miles and was feeling like crap so my friend Rebekka (whose knee was hurting) and I decided to walk the last three miles.  But we still crossed the finish line.  So I know now I can definitely get through 20 miles and if I have to, I can walk the last six in Honolulu.

Of course I'm kicking myself for quitting at 20 and walking the rest of the way but I guess that's my ego talking.  The good thing is I woke up the next morning and felt no pain at all.  I was a little stiff (naturally) but once I got moving and stretched I felt great.  No lingering pain or anything from the pulled hamstring.  And I felt great after both of the runs I've done this week since then.  Looks like the hamstring is completely healed so walking was probably the right choice.  But there's still part of me that feels like I failed.  I have to keep telling myself that the only thing that matters is crossing that finish line in Honolulu, regardless of how long it takes.  I just have to cross that line and then have a mai tai.

It was really cool getting to the end of 23 miles on Saturday.  They set up a finish line at the end with balloons and a ribbon that you broke through at the end and they gave us all medallions.  This is the last long run we're doing until the marathon (the next three weeks are just short 8-mile recovery runs) and the organizers from APLA really made a big deal out of it.  We all brought food and had a celebratory lunch afterwards.  It was quite special. 

Here's what I looked like after 23 miles (notice the salt stains on my shirt and hat).

Next stop:  Honolulu.