Last Long Run...Nailed it.

I headed out on my final long run before the Poconos Marathon. The skies were gray, the streets and were wet, rain was lazily falling, and my legs were sore from the trail race. Nevertheless, I had to get in a long run. I wasn't sure exactly where I wanted to run, but started a long loop around Brooklyn before realizing that I needed to stop in at the Runners' Station. Knowing I only had an hour and a half before the Station closed, I cut the loop a little short and headed for the Williamsburg Bridge.

I powered through the bridge and cut across Manhattan, picking up speed with each step. After my legs loosened up a bit, I felt strong. I made it across and down to the Station about 45 minutes into the run. I made a quick stop in to talk to Vinnie and then started back out around Battery Park City and the bottom of Manhattan. Cruising along, I kept feeling faster. I went over the Brooklyn Bridge and then returned to the island via the Manhattan Bridge. I cut through Chinatown back to the water and ran north to the Williamsburg Bridge. I headed back west until I got to the base of the bridge and then charged up and over. The last mile and a half home felt easy and I finished with plenty of gas left in the tank.

I cranked out 18 miles at about 7:30 pace on very tired legs. Not only that, but the terrain was much harder than anything I will see at Poconos. This run made me feel much, much more confident in my race in 2 weeks. Now its time to taper...