On Saturday, I set out to do my last run before my taper. I knew it was not going to be tough but it was tougher than I had imagined.

Anywho, I set out. I had a plan of doing three loops of about 7 miles. Every 7 miles I stopped got some more water and went potty. Which worked pretty well. I know Mankato has some hills so I wanted to incorporate some hills into this run. I did that and it was hard. Thankfully Mankato only has one hill not a gazillion. Elevation Map…

It was pretty windy out there as well. Of course the part with all the hills was the windiest. I live in a smallish town and then means running on a lot of country roads which includes fields. So the wind got pretty bad. It was hard but it then again it is better to face this in a training that to have to face in the marathon not be prepared.

I started off running 3 to 1. By mile 2, I knew this was not going to work. So I went down to 2 to 1. Eventually I kind of felt like death so I took it down to 1 to 1. Pace Chart…

Around the half way point, a train decided it needed to come on by. So of course I thought it would be a good time to take some pictures while I waited.

Like my lovely sweat marks. ;)

I set out to do 22 miles but my body had other plans. There was a point around mile 16.5 I had to tell my body to take a step because it refused to move. I some how manged to keep going and get to 18.8. Seems like a good length for a long run to me. 

That gives me an 11:22 pace. Definitely slower that I would like. But that will happen.

After the run I made an emergency stop at Wal-mart to get some Epsom Salt. As I was limping along. I almost started crying. Because I hurt so bad now I am not a emotional person and can probably can count the number of times I have cried on my fingers. So I was in pretty bad pain. I am still in pain today but it has gotten better :)

Now it is time to taper!