02.14.2018 Squeezed in a long run, no fuel

I don't always get a chance to squeeze in a run before work, but when I do, it makes the rest of the day easier.  I was able to bang out a 15 mile long run today and other than mile 13, everything went great.  After warming up a couple miles around 8:00/mile pace, I started banging out miles around 7:30 pace, nice and easy.  Then, without fuel to keep me going, I ran into a major climb and no energy in mile 13.  F, it broke me and took like 10 minutes.  At the top, I got a second wind and was determined to finish up my 15 and put in a couple more miles at a respectable pace of 8:20ish/mile.  

Important points from today's run:

1. You aren't as strong as you think you are.--  No more long runs of 10+ miles without some fuel.  I don't need to be Superman, I need to get in good workouts.  I need fuel to do that above 11+ miles.

2.  You are stronger than you think you are.--  All I mean is that I really wanted to stop and be done during mile 13, and for get the last coupple miles.  However, I wouldn't do it, knowing what I want 2018 to be for me.  I sucked it up and finished respectably.  

3.  No matter how many times you have done the same route, pay attention to the sidewalk.--  I took a sweet, non-injury fall today because of a nice bump in the sidewalk.  It's a stretch of walkway I have run a thousand times and will run a thousand more.  Hopefully, that is the only time I fall on it.

4.  A Diet Coke after a long run is glorious.--Don't bother telling me how bad Diet Coke is for me.  I don't give a shit after 15 miles.  Yummy

Depending on how tomorrow's recovery run goes, I will either do a second easy day in a row on Friday and end the week with 40-42 miles, or I will do 1/4 mile hill repeats Friday to finish the week.  Right now I am tired so no decisions are being made.