2/19: About 5 miles, about 9:00/mi
2/20: 9:33 miles, 9:12/mi
2/22: 8.03 miles, 8:10/mi
2/23: 20 miles, 9:55/mi

Total mileage: 42.33 miles

It didn’t take long to go from too cold to too hot.

The too hot is mostly my fault. I wanted too long to run my 20-miler on Sunday. It was a rare day off so I had grand plans to attend church before but that didn’t happen. My co-worker joined me for half that run and she did a great job.

Once I hit mile 12, I ran out of water. Conditions were sunny, about 60 but when you’re not used to sunny and 60, the body freaks out. Combined with the water fountains not on on the Mall yet (darn you sequester!), I was freaking out.

Mercifully, I got to the Mandarin Oriental, one of D.C.’s finest hotels. Snuck in the front door, headed straightaway toward the water fountain and CHUGGED. Two busboys came by, asking if I was okay. Oh, I’m doing just great, I responded.

I must say, the water there was fantastic. Maybe because I was dehydrated and starting to deal with mild heatstroke but damn, that water was impressive!

The heat and lack of hydration slowed me down and by mile 18, I was hurting. My phone was about to die but I forced myself to make it home. It hurt but it was worth it.

The tendons on the top of my feet cooperated on the 20-miler, unlike the other runs earlier this week. I think it has to do with my changing my shoes and my feet getting used to new laces and such. Years of wearing ill-fitting shoes (not because of style but because of laziness and a lack of knowledge on my part) cause perpetual sensitivity with the top of my feet. It flares up from time to time and came back with a vengeance this week. A change in how I laced my shoes did the trick and I’m hoping it stays this week. We have about 3 weeks to go until Rock and Roll and I feel good. Tapering begins next week and I hope to maintain the fast pace when everything is going well.

This week, it’s cold, again. Winter makes one last push before exiting, stage left. Finally.

Passed by Nats Park during the 20-miler. It’s empty now but won’t be in about 6 weeks. Baseball is almost here!!!