6 weeks

Did the 3rd 20 miler in the buildup for Rocket City on Sunday. Well, at least it was supposed to be 20 miles. G and I met a Lascassas Baptist Church at 5:30 and ran a combination of routes we'd done in the past, but in reverse. Only did them in reverse because I needed 6 miles worth of fast finish at marathon pace. This route put the climb up the hill on Oregon in the early miles instead of in the last six miles.

This was G's first 20 miler and the first time he's trained to run a marathon. He's beat me at every distance, except for the marathon. I expect that to fall as well, but hopefully not in his first one. Though his brother, BQ1 showed they are both running machines.

Great morning for a long run, about 32 degrees and no wind. Really like this time of year with the leaves changing and the sunrise. Awesome stuff. We both took it pretty easy most of the way. My plan was to start the marathon pace push at mile 14. G decided to go as well, but of course as soon as it was time to go, another hill. Thankfully, it was a short one and we were able to maintain a 6:48 pace. We held pretty evenly for the next 3 miles where G said he was going to back off. He decided to go one more mile with me.

I ended caving in the last half mile and only got 19.5 miles with 5.5 miles worth of marathon pace. I started to cramp up and shut it down. G, soldiered on and got his 20 miles. Pretty impressive, first 20 miler and 4 miles worth of fast finish. He was pulling me along the entire morning and especially in the marathon pace push.