Terrific Twenty

in Marathon Training

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE JOHNNY! 🙂 I love you!

 

Previous long runs for Marathon Training:

 

 

After running twenty miles this morning, I feel like I can achieve ANY goal!  KARATE CHOP!  (My all-black outfit made me feel like a ninja warrior.)

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I was so nervous about running the big 2-0 today.  Last night, I started to freak out a little bit.  I know I’ve done 18.0 miles twice, but for some reason, 20.0 miles seems a LOT longer than 18.0! 

 

I can’t believe that I struggled to run 20.0 miles in a WEEK this summer when I was coming off my knee injury, and I ran 20.0 miles in one MORNING today.  Also, I cannot believe I’m the same girl that couldn’t run more than 1/4 a mile the first time she laced up her sneakers.

 

Running is so amazing because of the potential for improvement.  I can improve, YOU can improve!  Trust me.  Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes there are setbacks… but you can achieve any fitness goal you set your mind to!  I am living proof.  I was no more athletic than the average person when I started to run.  I’m kind of FLOORED than I actually ran 20.0 miles this morning!  🙂

 

I started things off with a super filling breakfast:

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I had banana oatmeal (1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup rice milk, 1/2 cup water, and 1 sliced banana), which I topped with flax, brown sugar, almonds, and coconut.

 

Then, I layered up.  It was quite chilly this morning in Central Florida.  I ran the first 2.0 miles with a sweatshirt and gloves on! Brr!

 

Megan picked me up at 5:30 and we drove to the beautiful Baldwin Park.

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Honestly, I wish everyone could run with Megan at least once.  She talks, sings, makes funny faces, and is generally the most awesome form of entertainment for 3+ hour  long runs.

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I think we sang “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga in its entirety at least five times. Raw-Raw-Ra-Ra-Rah!

 

We started off our run in the dark and did several loops around the lake.  Then we explored the rest of the neighborhood.  20.0 miles a long way to go, and I hate looping back and forth over and over again.

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My game plan for this run was to take it seriously.  Megan and I tend to chit chat and lose our focus on long runs, which is normally fine by me because I don’t care about my time.  However, I really wanted to maintain a 10:30 overall pace for this training run.

 

The 20.0-miler is very important in the marathon training plan.  It’s normally the longest run (I’m going to do a 22.0 miler in two weeks, though), and it’s kind of the make-it-or-break-it time.  If you can do 20.0, you can do 26.2.  Or that’s what they say, anyway!

 

We also promised each other that we would only take ONE walking break.  Normally, we break about once a mile on long runs, but this time, we only walked once for 0.1 mile (and let the clock run).  We also made two pit stops at the car to refill out water bottles and take Goo shots (and stopped the clocks):

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I had two Goo packets and a Clementine.  I should’ve eaten more, but by the end of the run, I was running out of water and was too focused on maintaining my pace.

 

At Mile 15.0, Megan suggested we try to do the last 5.0 miles in 50 minutes, which would squeeze us in at 3:30.  I agreed, and we started to BOOK it.  Check out this awesome negative split at the end:

 

  • Distance: 20.0 miles
  • Duration: 3:27:58
  • Mile 1:10:54
  • Mile 2: 10:39
  • Mile 3: 10:43
  • Mile 4: 10:47
  • Mile 5: 10:23
  • Mile 6: 10:21
  • Mile 7: 10:22
  • Mile 8: 10:35
  • Mile 9: 10:47
  • Mile 10: 10:47
  • Mile 11: 10:43
  • Mile 12: 10:38
  • Mile 13: 10:35
  • Mile 14: 11:26 (walking break)
  • Mile 15: 10:32
  • Mile 16: 9:57
  • Mile 17: 9:29
  • Mile 18: 9:33
  • Mile 19: 9:16
  • Mile 20: 8:44 (BOOOYAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!)

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I felt on top of the world!  I was SO proud of Megan and I!  We finished fast and strong, and I know that meant a lot to the both of us.  We were very relieved to be done, especially after that killer last mile. 

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After stumbling around the car, moaning about how sore our legs are, and taking pictures, we headed to Panera.  I always feel bad for the cashier because I practically rip the bagel out of her hands.  I was SOOO hungry.  I cannot even describe to you how hungry I was after 20.0 miles and I felt inadequately fueled (won’t be making that mistake again!):

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I had an Everything Bagel with veggie cream cheese and a Egg and Asparagus Soufflé.

 

For the first time, I feel like the marathon is truly attainable!  I am really excited for January 10, 2010.  I know 26.2 miles is a lot longer than 20.0, but at least I’m that much closer!  It feels good.  🙂

 

Megan is coming back over, and we’re going to make more food (still hungry!) and watch Elf.  My life is complete.

{ 111 comments }

 

  • emily November 29, 2009, 12:26 pm

    I LOVED this post. You are so positive and excited and it makes me want to be more sunny (and go out for a run). Because of a injury, I will be training for my first half marathon in only three months. I’m super nervous but reading this helped a lot!

  • Lynne November 29, 2009, 12:40 pm

    Congratulations, Caitlin, that is such an achievement! 🙂 I am almost inspired to give running a try myself, but it is so miserable and rainy on the south coast of England at the moment!

  • Kara November 29, 2009, 12:48 pm

    Congratulations on an amazing run, great mile splits, and such a good attitude!! 😀 I’m almost a year away from my first marathon, but reading about your training is getting me so excited for my race!!

  • Lee November 29, 2009, 12:49 pm

    Congratulations! That sounds like a great 20 mile run. It’s true; if you can run 20, you can run 26. You’ll rock this marathon.

  • Dayna November 29, 2009, 12:54 pm

    Congratulations of finishing your 20 Caitlin! I’m tapering right now and run my first marathon in 7 days in Las Vegas!!! Due to an injury that surfaced about 3 weeks ago I was never able to complete my 18 or 20 mile runs and I’m freaking out a bit (okay…a lot)! I’m glad that your training is going more smoothly than mine has, you’re gonna rock that marathon!

  • Sara November 29, 2009, 1:03 pm

    caitlin congrats!!! you are going to rock that marathon!!
    Just a few questions: are you still taking glucosamine? do you know of any side effects of taking it for a long period of time?
    Also, do you take anti-infflamatory even after shorter runs? and do you think it might be bad to take it for 4+ months??
    thanks

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:49 pm

      i dont take it because i found i did not respond to it. but i don’t think there are side affects for taking it for a long time – it is a good supplement if you are part of the 75% for who it works.

      i dont take ibuprofen for short runs and occasionally for long runs. even doctors wont tell you to take it everyday for weeks on end! it’s bad for your stomach.

  • Leah @ Simply fabulous November 29, 2009, 1:08 pm

    I saw your tweet earlier this morning and I think something like “FML” was included LOL, but seeing this post-run blog I can tell you are feeling great about it. I can imagine 20 minutes just seems so daunting! You are so determined girl. I always feel like a marathon is in my (far) future someday when I read your posts. Can’t wait till race day!

  • Leah @ Simply fabulous November 29, 2009, 1:08 pm

    haha not 20 minutes, 20 miles!! geeez. typo.

  • Amanda November 29, 2009, 1:14 pm

    Sounds like you had an amazing run! I’m like you, I hate looping back and forth and I’m struggling to find new places to run that are safe where I can just run and not have to do loops. Sounds like Megan is an amazing partner! I wish I had someone I could run with to entertain me. My husband runs but he’s ALOT slower than I am and it makes me feel heavy and tired to run his pace. 🙁

  • Kristina November 29, 2009, 1:14 pm

    Wow! You rock!!!!!!!! I’ve been wanting to give running a try, and I find reading about you very inspiring. I think I need to do it 🙂

  • Nicci@NiftyEats November 29, 2009, 1:14 pm

    Haha, I think i play Lady Gaga at least 3 times when working out!

  • Bernadette November 29, 2009, 1:15 pm

    OMG Caitlin!! OMG!! I could feel the elation as I read this post!!! I have goosebumps!

    This was sooooo much fun to read and I am SO very proud of you both! Truly inspirational!

    I’m training for my 1st Half in Feb and this week was a taper week but it sure gives me HOPE!!
    Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your day!
    xoxo

  • caronae November 29, 2009, 1:17 pm

    Congrats! Sounds like an awesome run, especially those last miles. Soooo fast! I did 14 this morning and wanna sit on my bed all day, but now I have to go do homework. Wahhhh!

  • Jane November 29, 2009, 1:17 pm

    Congratulations, Caitlin! You really inspire me. I have a question – on these long runs, do you use the Garmin a lot to judge when you get to each mile point? I don’t have a Garmin yet (on my Christmas wish list!) so I tend to map out my runs beforehand to know what the mile markers are. I like the idea of being able to wander around during a run and still know what my mileage is. I’m guessing this is that you do, but am not sure. Thanks for all the running inspiration!

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:52 pm

      i used to use google earth to preplan a route, but the garmin gives me the freedom to go wherever i please! great investment for a runner.

  • Joy November 29, 2009, 1:18 pm

    yay 20 miles is amazing!!! i am so glad that you are so proud of yourself, congratulations!

    hahaha, i don’t really love bad romance but the ‘gaga oo lala’ makes it worth it to listen

  • Moran November 29, 2009, 1:20 pm

    Congrats Caitlin (and Megan!) – That’s AWESOME!

  • jessica November 29, 2009, 1:20 pm

    You are AWESOME!

  • Saima November 29, 2009, 1:21 pm

    Amazing!! great job as always! 😀

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite November 29, 2009, 1:23 pm

    What an awesome run Caitlin! Twenty miles is quite the accomplishment!

    Is this the furthest you plan on running during your training? Or will you be running further?
    Just curious 🙂

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:52 pm

      22.0 🙂

  • Laura November 29, 2009, 1:25 pm

    GOOD JOB CAITLIN!

  • Meg November 29, 2009, 1:26 pm

    Congrats Caitlin!!!

  • Evan Thomas November 29, 2009, 1:26 pm

    Congrats! You’re definitely an inspirat hink how much further I can run now than compared to the summer, too. Today, I did a combination of 2 runs, each of which were my “long run” at some point during the summer

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal November 29, 2009, 1:26 pm

    AWESOME job Caitlin! I new you could do it, and man did you DO it. You kicked that run’s ass! I can’t imagine running 20 miles. That’s so awesome you have a great running partner there with you.

  • KatieMoo November 29, 2009, 1:35 pm

    I agree, you are such a good role model! Always honest, yet awesomely positive and inspirational! You inspire me to run faster and stronger. Congrats on your amazing 20 miles, and you are going to kick some major marathon ass!

  • Keva November 29, 2009, 1:35 pm

    Congrats on a great run Caitlin! I was thinking about you while I was slogging out 3 on the dreadmill this morning. I’m trying to get back on track myself. Way to go!

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:52 pm

      the dreadmill is terrible!

  • Wendy November 29, 2009, 1:35 pm

    CONGRATS!!! I always look forward to your long run posts, because you have such a GREAT positive attitude about running!

  • Susan November 29, 2009, 1:37 pm

    Baaaahh!!! Congrats on the Big 2-0!!! For some reason that number holds a huge significance in my brain too. I can’t believe you guys ran so fast at the end too. For me though, it’s not so much the “mileage” it just feels like 3.5 hours is a long ass time to be on your feet running. Good thing you and Megan had each other for company, otherwise it would have been boooring.

    Don’t feel bad about not taking in enough fuel. Good thing to learn now before the marathon 😉 (which you are SO ready for!)

  • Lizzy November 29, 2009, 1:38 pm

    Congratulations Caitlin! you did awesome! I can totally relate to you when you say your 26.2 miles seems like a piece of cake now. when i was training for my first half marathon, after i ran my longest 10 miles, after that i new that i was going to be able to make it! You are amazing and have come so far since the beginning! Thanks for being an inspiration!

  • Jill November 29, 2009, 1:42 pm

    3 words: YOU ARE INCREDIBLE

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) November 29, 2009, 1:45 pm

    Wow, your story is making me relive my first 20 miler. Isn’t that the most amazing feeling? 20 damn miles….. insane. And yes, if you can rock out 20 miles you can rock out 26.2.(cannot forget the .2.) So lucky that you and meghan make such incredible running partners;it makes all the difference. You are inspiring many.

  • Jennifer November 29, 2009, 1:45 pm

    I need a SpiBelt! I’m just so sceptical that it wouldn’t bounce with my smartphone/mp3 player inside…you swear???

    🙂

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:53 pm

      i 100% swear it wont bounce – my camera doesnt!

  • Karla November 29, 2009, 1:45 pm

    Woah! 20 miles! You’re amazing! You deserve food and Elf!

  • Chloe (Naturally Frugal) November 29, 2009, 1:47 pm

    You are seriously awesome, and so is Megan! I can’t fathom running 20 miles, but you are a complete inspiration and I know that I can train up to at least a 10k because of you.
    Great job both of you! Now I just need to find a goofball running buddy like Megan and I’m set….

  • Laura Georgina November 29, 2009, 1:48 pm

    Way to go!!! I’m so glad it was such a positive experience–you two always have such fun on your long runs! Any more videos coming our way? Enjoy your Sunday 🙂

  • Kelsey November 29, 2009, 1:52 pm

    great job!!! you are going to rock on the marathon 😀
    watch some Elf for me!!

  • Salina November 29, 2009, 1:52 pm

    CONGRATS….you guys did a great job….you are an inspiration!!

  • Alison November 29, 2009, 1:55 pm

    awesome run! the best part about it is getting to eat the rest of the day to get your energy back that you burned off. yay!

  • Matt November 29, 2009, 1:56 pm

    Nice job on the 20 miles!

    To be honest, I don’t really think you need to run a 22 miler if you can run 20 miles with negative splits. A run like that so close to the marathon might be risking injury for something you don’t need, especially if your goal is to finish. Just my advice.

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:53 pm

      its just a mental thing. 🙂

  • Julie November 29, 2009, 2:00 pm

    You never cease to amaze me. Congrats!!

  • Peter November 29, 2009, 2:11 pm

    you go!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) November 29, 2009, 2:15 pm

    Caitlin – wow! 20 miles is a HUGE accomplishment – and to think you couldn’t run a quarter mile when you started running. That is ME right now. You are 100% my biggest inspiration and I AM going to become a runner. I know I can do it, because you DID it. You have proven to me that IT is possible. I am so thankful. Someday … hopefully this summer, when I run a 5k, or even a 1/2 marathon, I will be thinking of how YOU helped me to that place. I know I can do it. I will do it!!

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:54 pm

      xoxo 🙂 you can do it!

  • Erica November 29, 2009, 2:20 pm

    You rock, girl! So proud of you!!! 20 miles is a BIG DEAL, so I’m glad you treated it as such. You must have the most awesome runner’s high right now! I can imagine! My longest run to date is 15 miles and I felt a.m.a.z.i.n.g for days! So bask in your accomplishment, Caitlin, and enjoy the rest of your day! You are going to OWN that marathon. 🙂

  • Georgia November 29, 2009, 2:26 pm

    Congrats Caitlin! I’ve done a few marathons and that 20-mile run really lets you know if you are prepared enough for the big show, and you certainly are ready! You mentioned that you had 2 Goos and a clementine, but were underfueled. Curiously, how much do you plan to eat during the marathon, and are you going to carry things with you to eat? Do you have any digestion issues with eating? I’ve never had more than one Goo during a marathon, and I can’t imagine actually eating something. Stomach craps would be the worst!

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:54 pm

      i dont have stomach issues when i run – i will probably eat solid fun during the marathon (like a clif bar)?

  • Katy @ These Beautiful Feet November 29, 2009, 2:33 pm

    Okay so in a year or so when I am running my first 20-miler I am calling you two to sing/run with me? Gotcha. 😉 Way to go girls, I knew you’d do amazing. Congratulations!!

  • Alex November 29, 2009, 2:34 pm

    Woohoo! Congrats, you rocked it!

    I think it’s great that you are going to do a 22-miler beforehand – I know some people just do a 20-miler or two (and some only go up to 18 for long runs), but I always do a couple of 22s. I just feel like it mentally prepares me, you know? And then it’s just an extra 4.2 in the race – and that’s where the adrenaline carries you home! You are going to do great!

  • Katie November 29, 2009, 2:37 pm

    Congrats on 20!

    26.2 will seem easy!

    http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/

  • Alyssa November 29, 2009, 2:38 pm

    Congrats! I cannot imagine what it is like running that long of a distance. Way to rock it! 🙂

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance......after 100+ pound weight loss!!! November 29, 2009, 2:39 pm

    So happy for you! I know how excited I was the 1st time I completed 6 miles and than a 10K, I felt like I could do anything……..it is an AMAZING feeling! =)

  • Hethir November 29, 2009, 2:49 pm

    Catlin, Congrats! 20 is a big deal, esp. after your injury. I agree with you that having an entertaining friend on long runs makes all the difference. I have a great friend that I do hills with and she makes them soooo much easier because of her great stories and funniness. Yay! One day I will run that far! Yes I will.

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat November 29, 2009, 2:53 pm

    You rock girlfriend! You are such an inspiration to me. I thought about you yesterday when I ran 5.75 miles for the first time in a long time. I remembered that post you did where you asked whether we love to run or do it because its good exercise. I definitely love it and reaching 5.75 miles proved that to me again. I’m watching Elf later too, love that movie!

    You are totally going to rock that marathon 🙂

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:54 pm

      yay!!!

  • Niki (Running In Pink) November 29, 2009, 2:56 pm

    Running 20 miles is an amazing accomplishment! You girls kicked ass on that run!! I know you will be able to tackle that marathon.

    P.S. You should totally get Maggie and James Snuggies.

  • Annie November 29, 2009, 3:00 pm

    Congratulations!!! I cannot fathom what it must be like to run for 3.5 hours straight.. to run 20 miles.. I mean that is a LONG WAY!! So excited for you!

  • Lauren November 29, 2009, 3:07 pm

    That is So awesome! Congrats on the 20 miles. It sounds like an awesome accomplishment.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) November 29, 2009, 3:07 pm

    I love reading your blog because you weren’t born a runner. It makes me feel like my goals for running are truly attainable as long as I train for them 🙂

  • jenna November 29, 2009, 3:08 pm

    great job on the run!! panera is always a great choice! i love ELF 🙂
    jenna

  • Anne@ the doctor takes a wife November 29, 2009, 3:18 pm

    I love that you’ve come so far since you first started. I”m trying my best to get into the groove of running, and hope to run my first 5k this spring. I hope someday I can do a marathon, but it seems soo far away!!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is November 29, 2009, 3:20 pm

    Great job on the 20, girl!!!

  • Katie - Life Discombobulated November 29, 2009, 3:35 pm

    That’s SO awesome! You’re TOTALLY going to be ready for your marathon!!! Congrats! : )

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg November 29, 2009, 3:37 pm

    SO awesome!!! That is a really amazing feat, and you are going to kick serious butt at your marathon. You should be SUPER proud!

  • Katie - Life Discombobulated November 29, 2009, 3:39 pm

    p.s. Just wondering… How fast were you when you started running? You seem to run at a pretty good pace now fairly consistently — did that come mostly naturally to you once your endurance got better, or was speed something you had to work at?

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:56 pm

      ummm i probably started off at 11 minute miles (when you do the galloway method, walk/run, it’s surprising how fast you are). i dropped down to 10 for “short” runs (like 6 miles and under) and began pacing 9:30ish in races last year. and now i feel myself dropping again during 10Ks and whatnot. i think its just a natural progression (but of course, i wont get much faster with speedwork).

  • kilax November 29, 2009, 3:42 pm

    Yay yay yay! What a great run! I would love to run with someone like Megan too 🙂 Right now I am really happy I have my husband to run with. It’s a good way for us to catch up.

    Isn’t it amazing how fast you improve as a runner?! I bet 22 will seem like a piece of cake!

  • Eliana >^..^ November 29, 2009, 3:47 pm

    WOW!! I am so proud of you (and don’t even know you personally), that is AWESOME!!

    I started running a week ago after buying some good running shoes, and I can barely run 2 miles. :O( I signed up for a 5K in February, I am hoping that is going to keep me motivated. ;o)

    How do you run and talk at the same time without getting cramps? I feel that if I talk while running I get a bad cramp in my stomach. Do you have any tips for that or for better breathing?

    Thanks and CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so excited for you.

    Eliana

    • caitlin November 29, 2009, 4:57 pm

      the longer you run and the fitter you get, you will find it easier and easier to talk. i used to get cramps but i think that just goes away with time! if you can run 2 miles after one week, you are definitely on your way to being an awesome runner! i couldnt even got 0.25 mile!

  • Erin November 29, 2009, 3:50 pm

    That is so fantastic! I can’t imagine reaching 20 miles (I’m doing 3 now) but everyone has to start somewhere! 🙂

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) November 29, 2009, 3:53 pm

    Congratulations! What a fantastic effort 🙂

  • MelissaNibbles November 29, 2009, 4:12 pm

    Congratulations!

  • christie, honoring health November 29, 2009, 4:41 pm

    Congrats, you are a total rock star!

  • ~Jessica~ November 29, 2009, 4:45 pm

    One word: wow. I am in awe of you in so many ways.

    Get some more fuel: you more than earned it!

  • Betty November 29, 2009, 5:02 pm

    You are AMAZING!!!! I can’t wait for the day when I will write a blog about running 20 miles. That is awesome girl. Keep it up.

  • Cheryle November 29, 2009, 5:03 pm

    Wow – I’m super impressed! My longest run to date is a 10K in 1:10. Obviously I have a long way to go and reading your blog is helping me get there – very inspiring!

  • Melissa S. November 29, 2009, 5:27 pm

    i thought about you during my run this morning, thinking about how i was running merely half of what you ran this morning.

    whoop whoop to you and megan though! i def need to run w/ you two when i get there. 🙂

  • dorothy November 29, 2009, 5:31 pm

    wow amazing neg splits!!! its so great that you and megan have each toehr’s company to run

    ps elf is the cuutest movie ever 😉

  • TorontoGirloutWest November 29, 2009, 5:31 pm

    Your marathon is absolutely attainable!!! I mean did you see that Mile 20?!?!? You absolutely rocked this training run!!!!

  • laura dishes November 29, 2009, 6:00 pm

    Congrats! What an awesome run. That’s great that you guys run together + eat together! 🙂

  • Lisa November 29, 2009, 6:21 pm

    Caitlin, you are my inspiration! I adore your attitude about running (and life in general!) and I am encouraged by how you have come so far with your running. Like you, I also couldn’t run more than about a block when I started running in August, and in the past 4 months I can now go about 4 miles without stopping! Since I’ve seen an improvement, I even signed up for a half marathon in May 2010, mainly because of how inspired I am by you! 🙂

    AWESOME run!

  • Nicole November 29, 2009, 6:36 pm

    You Are AWESOME!! Amazing job today! You’re so close!!!

  • Amy November 29, 2009, 6:42 pm

    I do recommend your 22 miler! I’ve completed 4 marathons and always feel more comfortable when I have at least one run over 20 under my belt. Congrats on your great run – the last 5 negatives were awesome!

  • Carolyn November 29, 2009, 6:44 pm

    Great job!!!

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) November 29, 2009, 7:11 pm

    I am freaking amazing by your negative split!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the strongest ending to a 20 mile run I think I have ever seen. Booyah is right, and you can both so do the full marathon…not that there was any doubt! Congrats 🙂

  • skinnyrunner November 29, 2009, 7:15 pm

    congrats on hitting 20!!! you’re gonna kill it at the full mary.

  • Side of Sneakers November 29, 2009, 7:21 pm

    Congrats on the awesome 20!!

  • ari November 29, 2009, 7:42 pm

    that’s so awesome! congratulations!

  • Lisa November 29, 2009, 7:44 pm

    Sounds fantastic! Congrats!

  • maria November 29, 2009, 7:49 pm

    Damn mamma! Way to go! Also, I agree that running is awesome because you can physically see your improvement right in front of you. I started running and could not even run an eighth of a mile and now I have a personal distance record of 8 miles. Makes me proud!

  • Michelle@eatingjourney November 29, 2009, 8:14 pm

    It’s so true what you say about ‘if I can run anyone can’. On Thanksgiving I cranked out a 5km w/ miles under 10 minutes and one of which was 8:38. You have been an inspiration for me, because you are ‘one of us’. I remember thinking ‘I want to tell Caitlin’ cause frankly no one in my family understands those little milestones. keep up the great work. woo hoo!

  • Christy November 29, 2009, 8:32 pm

    I am so impressed! I am trying to build up my speed and distance, but still just working on three miles, I am so inspired by your 20! 🙂

  • Courtney November 29, 2009, 8:42 pm

    I just got done posting on Megan’s site about how proud of you guys I am. Even more – you talking about where you started makes me really smile. I thought about it today as I was running 3 miles and DETERMINED to make it (I did!) I’m hoping to be blogging about 20 miles in the next couple of years….YAY for you guys today!!!

  • SweetiePotato November 29, 2009, 8:51 pm

    How inspiritng! It’s so awesome to hear of someone that started with such little running experience to running 20 miles! Insane!!! 😀

  • Danielle November 29, 2009, 9:04 pm

    I am so proud of you and Megan! Hearing about how you increased your speed so much over the last year really makes me feel better. Sometimes I swear I could walk faster than I run (not really) so it’s good to know that at some point attaining speed and endurance is possible 🙂 You rock!

  • Heather @ Alis Grave Nil November 29, 2009, 9:09 pm

    Wow. I can’t even imagine 20. 13.1 felt like an insane amount to me, but I guess everyone has to start somewhere. You’re an inspiration. 🙂

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) November 29, 2009, 9:34 pm

    OMG. I can’t even FATHOM the idea of 20 miles! Awesome job..I’ll live my athletic fantasies through you for the time being. 🙂

  • Anne P November 29, 2009, 9:42 pm

    Yayyy!! You both = rockstars.

  • Mary November 29, 2009, 10:06 pm

    that’s awesome girl! 20 miles is a HUGE accomplishment!!!! Way to kick it at the end! I can’t believe how soon your marathon is!

  • Julie @savvyeats November 29, 2009, 11:54 pm

    Everytime I feel like I’m not a runner, I get inspired by your and Megan’s blogs! Such progress in such a short amount of time!!

  • Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run November 30, 2009, 1:05 am

    Congrats on the run! I bet you had an awesome endorphin high!

  • alli November 30, 2009, 9:55 am

    AMAZING job! i’m so inspired by your runs! once i’m clear to run i again i cant wait to continue building up my distances!

  • Janie November 30, 2009, 10:05 am

    Really proud of you, Katie 🙂 I read your blog all the time…can’t wait for your book.

    xo
    Janie

  • Jordan November 30, 2009, 12:43 pm

    Congrats on your 20-miler! I’m running my first 1/2 in March (Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon), and I’m not prepared whatsoever.

  • Steel Springs November 30, 2009, 1:45 pm

    Congratulations on the 20 miler! I love the ninja shot.

  • Shayna @ Cuts and Curves March 16, 2010, 10:56 pm

    I just read this post for the first time. It’s so inspirational!

    I’m running an 8 miler on Thursday. It’ll be the longest I’ve ever run. This post has given me the ability to believe I can finish it!

    Thank you

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