12 Mile 'Long Run' on the W&OD

I haven't run yet.  It's 7:30 and I'm having coffee (decaf) and a ClifBar (Chocolate Chip).  I'm writing now, before the run, to make a prediction.  My prediction is that I'll have a good run.  Why do I think this?  Well, for one thing I didn't have curry for dinner last night!  I had my turkey chili with a salad and a very decadent dessert by Handan (rich chocolate).  I think that will fuel me very well.  For another thing I got good sleep last night and I feel well-rested.  Also the weather is very nice...  cool and calm.  And finally, I think if I predict a positive run that will psychologically predispose me to have a good run.

So let's see what happens.  I'll check back in about two and a half hours.

.............

Well, here it is three and a half hours later.  I know now that I brought Nazar (the Evil Eye) down on myself with my arrogant prediction.

Just at the halfway point of my run I tripped and fell.  I broke the fall with my hands and my left shoulder and the left side of my face.  I left some DNA on the asphalt from my hands.  My shoulder is sore and I've got a big welt on my left cheekbone.  Thankfully nothing is broken.

After dusting myself off and making sure I didn't have any serious injuries I continued my run.  My adrenaline was pumping after the fall and the next few miles were as good as the first half of the run.  Then I hit mile 10 and I lost all my energy.  Maybe I need more water or maybe I ran too fast early on, or maybe I'm just not that strong yet.  I don't know.  But the last three miles of the run were tough (as you can see in the chart).

Next week is a 'step-back' week where the long run is only 9 miles.  Then the following week's long run is 14 miles.  But I may opt to redo this week's plan instead since I'm not happy with my progress so far.  Since I have many months before the marathon I have no problem stretching out the program a few weeks or months.

Off to ice my face now.

 

Here's me after icing.  The skin is red from the ice, not the injury.  Nice bump, eh?

And no more Nazar!