Sunday, 8/26/2018 to Saturday, 9/1/2018

I ran 2 times this week, 20.1 miles.
I took 59,985 steps during this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Sunday, 8/26/2018: 2282 steps during the day, rest day.

A needed rest day since it hurt to go up and down stairs for a bit of the day. My lovely wife, Christine, and I spent some time relaxing before we made it out to eat brunch at the CharBroil Restaurant on Island Cottage. I had the steak and eggs while Christine had a BLT. It was OK.

Well ... the seventh Black Diamond Express 5K and Half Marathon was held out in Mendon. I ran this race back in x when it was just a 15K. There were 149 finishers of the half, link here. Jason "Jmac" McElwain was 4th in 1:23:52, Wendy Abbott was 11th in 1:38:53, Prem Kumar was 13th in 1:40:50 and Bill Sandow was 25th in 1:47:29. Speedy times on a flat course! There were 70 finishers of the 5K, link here. Maybe next year!

Later I watched the third Buffalo Bills preseason game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Ouch ... the Bills offensive line sucked and their secondary wasn't much better. They gave up a touchdown on the first Bengals play! It was never competitive. The Bills lost 13-26.

Monday, 8/27/2018, 6268 steps during the day, rest day.
Tuesday, 8/28/2018, 4108 steps during the day, rest day.
Wednesday, 8/29/2018, 7734 steps during the day, rest day.

What can I say? A combination of just needing to take a bit of time off combined with some really hot and humid "dog days of August". I don't think my running fitness will suffer much.

Thursday, 8/30/2018: 16665 steps during the day; 8.05 miles, 1:06:46, 8:17 pace, 68F, 68% RH, 7 mph wind, overcast.

A Thursday run after 5 days off. It was cooler but just as humid. I set up a nice and steady but a bit faster pace on my 8 mile loop. I was kind of dripping with sweat when I got back to the '14 Cruze. My splits were: 8:20, 8:16, 8:17, 8:11, 8:22, 8:14, 8:19 and 8:21. A pretty steady pace.

Friday, 8/31/2018: 3401 steps during the day, rest day.

I took today off as a floating holiday. I went down to see my daughter, Karen, in Palmyra. She had hurt her back bending down to unleash her dog, Pooka, and needed some help cleaning her apartment. So I did. Her dog had discovered chewing cardboard so her place was quite the mess. But I got to work and soon it was better than when I came. I also took out the garbage and recycling. I also put together a Bissell Power Lifter Powerbrush Upright Carpet Cleaner and cleaned a section of rug in her bedroom. It seemed to work but I don't know if it took away the urine odor. I also learned more about her mother's upcoming move to Hickory NC next month.

A sunflower that I saw by Karen's recycling bins

Fleet Feet Rochester and Yellow Jacket Racing had their first First Responders 5K out in Webster tonight. Boots had a lengthy Facebook post about how this race was on his bucket list for several years since he knows a lot of fire fighters and first responders, link here. A charity named FRST (First Responders Special Treatment ) Agency was formed to help Monroe County first responders with PTSD. It was a great success with 604 finishers, link here. Maybe next year ...

Well ... it's the end of August and time for the stats of the month and so far in 2018.

I ran 15 times for 132.1 miles, 8.8 miles/run.
I ran one race in August:
 Dirt Cheap #5 at Black Creek Park, 4.53 miles, 9:38 pace.
I have run 144 times so far in 2018 for 991.6 miles, 7.2 miles/run.
I took 336,758 steps during August and 3,043,783 steps so far during 2018 according to my Pebble 2 HR smart-watch.

Saturday, 9/1/2018: 19527 steps during the day; 12.05 miles, 2:04:34, 10:20 pace, 70F, 94% RH, 4 mph wind, sunny.

Well ... this run really sucked. It's been a long time I have had a run like that. Why? Well ... I slept horribly so I pushed my wake up alarm from 5 AM to 6 AM. I had a bowl of cereal like I usually do. My earbud wouldn't turn on. I forgot to drink much of any water before I headed out at 7;30 AM. It was warm and humid ... joy. I wanted to do another 18 mile run ... but I just couldn't. I lasted until around mile 5 when I began a run/walk. It was just humid AF. I decided to turn around and head back at East Manitou Rd. I walked for about a mile. I did make a try at a run/walk but didn't have the gumption for that either. I saw a group of 5 runners on Beach Rd just before Greenlead Rd. I walked all the way up Greenleaf Rd and right back into the townhouse. Whatever ... this run sucked ... a run best forgotten! My splits were: 8:32, 8:20, 8:23, 8:12, 9:21, 8:27, 11:30, 13:00, 9:18, 9:52, 11:44, 17:02 and 18:24.

Christine and I watched the John McCain funeral, YouTube link here. The eulogies by Meghan McCain (PBS link here and transcript link here), President George W Bush (PBS link here) and President Obama (PBS link here) were poignant. Renee Fleming sang "Danny Boy", link here. Trump wasn't invited (he tweeted and went to his Bedminister golf course according to Trump Golf Counter) but he was referred to but not named directly. By the way ... I roll way to the left on the political spectrum so I enjoyed it. Some might say that the eulogies should have avoided politics but McCain was a politician so it was to be expected.

Christine and I watched a lot of TCM. We just let the movies wash over us ... The Time Machine (1960) with Rod Taylor, The Black Swan (1942) with Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara along with Captain Blood 1935) with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Old time movies for sure!

Sunday, 8/19/2018 to Saturday, 8/25/2018

I ran 3 times this week, 35.45 miles.
I took 74,377 steps this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.
Common abbreviation: OMEP is Orange Mud Endurance Pack

Sunday, 8/19/2018: 2424 steps during the day, rest day.

It was a bit painful going down the stairs in the morning but I loosened up in the afternoon. I made it to BJs to pick a double rack of spare ribs (a $5 off coupon helped). My lovely wife, Christine, cooked both racks up. She put on a dry rub of Penzey's Galena Street Rib and Chicken Rub, cooked 1 side for 1.5 hours, flipped them, put on more rub and cooked them for another 1 hour along with some potatoes. OMG ... were they good! Mmm! The perfect meal before settling in to watch Sharknado 5: Global Swarming and the premiere of Sharknado 6: It's About Time. Fin, April, Nova, Skye and Bryan save the world from Sharknados!

Monday, 8/20/2018: 6327 steps during the day, rest day.

Spare ribs yesterday ... so leftover ribs, leftover mac'n'cheese, potatoes and salad ... mmm!

Tuesday, 8/21/2018: 17253 steps during the day; 8.05 miles, 1:08:22. 8:29 pace, 75F, 83% RH, 11 mph wind, overcast.

I headed out to Greece Arcadia High School for yet another GAHS run. How long? 5 or 7.5 or 8? I opted for the longest, 8 miles. I had on my OMEP with 1200 ml of ice and water. A bit over of overkill but I have gotten used to having my hands free. The wind was from the south so I was hot when I headed north to Lake Ontario and fought a head wind coming back on Island Cottage. I just put it into "get it done" pace and got it done. My splits were: 13, 28, 26, 18, 26, 44, 46 and 41. Boom ... done. I was dripping with sweat when I got done.

Wednesday, 8/22/2018: 8275 steps during the day, rest day.

The usual rest day. Leftover chicken, mac'n'cheese and salad for supper. I thing my darling wife, Christine, is upping my protein since I always complain that I'm hungry. I'm cutting my running down to 3 days a week but keeping the same mileage more or less. I need that extra rest day on Sunday to recover from 18 miles (or more) on Saturday. Another 18 (or 20) miles is on tap for Saturday.

Thursday, 8/23/2018: 17990 steps during the day; 9.25 miles, 1:18:44, 8:25 pace, 77F, 47% RH, 13 mph wind, sunny.

A Thursday run ... but how long? 5, 7.55, 8.05 or longer? I wanted longer so I went home and ran my 15K route from the townhouse. I filled my OMEP with 1 liter of ice and water and set up a nice and steady pace. I saw that woman runner with her husband or boyfriend tailing her twice plus a couple of bicycles. My splits were: 8:22, 8:28, 8:28, 8:26, 8:22, 8:23, 8:16, 8:34, 8:34 and 8:04 over the last 0.35 mile. Boom ... done.

Friday, 8/24/2018: 8255 steps during the day, rest day.

The usual rest day before a long run on an early Saturday morning.

Saturday, 8/25/2018: 13853 steps during the day; 18.05 miles, 2:37:00, 8:42 pace, 63F, 83% RH, 3 mph wind, mostly cloudy.

I got up when my alarm went off at 5 AM. It was dark'o'clock but I wanted another 18 or 20 mile long run. I puttered for a bit. It was still dark at 6 AM so I puttered a bit more. I got outside around 6:30 AM. I had a bit of trouble when I put on my OMEP (filled with 1600 ml of ice cubes and water). I put my arm in the left side first and then tried to shrug it on through the right side. Well ... the right side slid against my Pebble 2 HR smartwatch and torqued a side of the watchband off ... $%&#! I tried to put the bandpin back in its tiny hole but I couldn't. Well ... no matter. I stuffed it into my Nathan Zipster and got going around 6:45 AM. I set up a nice and easy pace and settled in. I saw Phil Alesio on Old Edgemere Drive between Long Pond Rd and Lowden Point Rd. I saw a couple of lady runners on East Manitou Rd. I took Hammer Gel at miles 6, 10 and 14 like usual. I did encounter an asshole driver on Edgemere Drive just west of Long Pond Rd at mile 12. I was running about 3 feet of the shoulder when the driver of a gold(?) car took a swerve for a second onto the shoulder before he got back in his lane. It wasn't accidental ... it was on purpose. I gave him a yell and probably a few curse words but I'm sure that they were unheard. Well ... I kept running. I kind of fell apart at mile 15 like I usually do ... just not as bad as last week. It's damn difficult to get it out of my mind that I need to keep running when my legs start just getting sore and tired. I would have 10 more miles to go in a marathon with the clock ticking against me! Whatever ... my splits were: 8:18, 8:16, 8:22, 8:17, 8:37, 8:21, 8:54, 8:30, 8:36, 8:53, 8:43, 8:32, 8:44, 9:04, 8:47, 9:07 and 9:32. I wasn't as sore as I had been after 18 mile so I guess there is that. Oh, I am very sure that my Pebble 2 HR smartwatch steps were off since there were only 13K steps instead of 27K steps like last week. I guess it didn't like being stuffed in my Nathan Zipster.

I saw on Facebook that the 2nd Midsummer Night's Madness was held down in Mendon Ponds Park. There were 78 finishers in the solo 13 mile run, link here. There were also relay teams with some really interesting names and with their names listed, link here.

All in all, a pretty relaxing day after a long run. I had a nice and big cinnamon bun after the run. I lost weight down to 161.2 after the run but I gained it back to 165 by Monday morning.

Sunday, 8/12/2018 to Saturday, 8/18/2018 - Dirt Cheap #5

I ran 4 times this week, 32.68 miles.
I took 82,086 steps this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.
Common abbreviation: OMEP is Orange Mud Endurance Pack

Sunday, 8/12/2018: 458 steps during the day, rest day.

My thighs ached and didn't want me to run ... or move very much so I didn't. My lovely wife, Christine, and I got sucked ... willingly ... into the Hallmark Channel. We watched Unleashing Mr Darcy, Marrying Mr Darcy, A Summer to Remember with Katherine Bell of The Good Witch, Eat, Play, Love with Lee Majors of The Six Million Dollar Man and Lindsay Wagner of The Bionic Woman, Love at Sea with Audrey Landers (Afton Cooper of Dallas). Older actors and actresses may not get the lead but I do like seeing them work!

Other trail runners were down in Letchworth running the Dam Good Trail Race. 114 runners finished, link here. I have run this trail race 7 times in its 10 year history and have fond memories of it. A nice, low key trail race with an excellent post-race line up of pizza and homemade treats. Mmm!

Monday, 8/13/2018: 6709 steps during the day, rest day.

My lovely wife, Christine, texted me that she had steamed lobsters chilling at home ... so I went home instead out for a run. She was more than a bit beat but she managed to peel the lobsters and microwave the potatoes before she got tuckered out. Mmm!

Tuesday, 8/14/2018: 12305 steps during the day; 5.05.miles, 42:09, 8:21 pace, 77F, 79% RH, 4 mph wind, overcast with an occasional sprinkle.


I don't usually run the day before a race but today I did. Two reasons: I hadn't run in 3 days and a steady trail pace is a lot slower and easier than a steady road pace. So out I went. It was a bit muggy and it sprinkled a bit so my tech shirt was soaked when I got done. My lovely wife, Christine, had bought a couple of flowers (40% off) so I dug a couple of holes out in front of the townhouse before I went up to take a shower. Anyhow ... my splits were: 8:13, 8:18, 8:27, 8:28 and 8:19.

Wednesday, 8/15/2018: 15308 steps during the day; 4.53 miles, 43:39, 9:26 pace, 82F, 66% RH, 9 mph wind, mostly cloudy.

Tonight's race was Dirt Cheap #5 held out at Black Creek Park. This race supposedly to be Dirt Cheap #2 but it was flip flopped because of poor trail conditions back in mid-April. I headed out right after work and arrived around 5:25 PM. I had plenty of time before the 6:30 PM start. I talked with Andy Ciaio, Tom Dutton and Tom Butler before the race. Andy told me that this was his first run since Sunday's Dam Good Trail Race, results here, and how he had face-planted at mile 11. His left shin did bear the scabs of a fall.

I didn't do a warm up run before this race. It was hot and muggy so I didn't want to get all sweaty before the race. I knew I would have more than enough of that after the race started. Thankfully there was a nice breeze and it wasn't sunny! So ... I just chilled. I ambled over to the Start arch with about 7 minutes to go and waited with Andy. I just had my 18 ounce Nathan SpeedDraw Plus flask filled with water. I kind of wished that I had my OMEP but I thought it was a bit of overkill for an under 5 mile trail race.

The start and finish before Dirt Cheap #5

And ... we were off! The starts leads straight up a 100 foot ski hill and then to lots of double track. I took it slow up the hill and settled into a nice and easy trail pace. I knew that there would be plenty of time to pick up the pace when I needed to. I was near a couple of gabby women ... I suffered through it until they got separated from each other. I watched for roots and reminded myself to pick up my feet. Then ... came lots and lots of twisty single track trail. I just stuck behind the runner in front of me and only passed if I had to. I caught up to Joe Ciecieraga for a bit before he passed someone. Joe was nowhere to be seen when I broke out of the single track. Then ... over to and up the ski hill again ... left into some more twisty single track trail. I had to really careful here ... I was tired and knew to keep on picking up my feet or else take a tumble ... out unscathed ... 1/4 mile to go ... Andy gave me a "You're almost there" yell .. Ellen called me in ... and done with 4.53 miles in 43:39 gun time, 43:36 chip time. My splits were: 9:10, 8:45, 8:47, 9:13 and 11:54 over the last 0.53 mile. I don't remember going that slow over the last 0.53 mile though. The Relive link to Dirt Cheap #5 is here. I did OK, 71st out of 259, 1st out of 7 in my 60-64 age group, link here.

Post Dirt Cheap #5

I was drenched with sweat and drank the rest of the water in my flask right away and chowed down a couple hot dogs and cookies. I talked with Andy and Tina Pellegrin for a bit. Tina was unhappy that her Garmin Forerunner 930xt had given her an "INVALID" error when she had hit "Save" on her last two runs. Bummer! I Googled her error when I got home but couldn't find a definitive reason other than a year old post about firmware. So ... another Dirt Cheap done. I didn't trip but I did pick up a few scratches from pricker bushes on my left legs. All in all ... a good time!

Thursday, 8/16/2018: 13624 steps during the day; 5.05 miles, 44:10, 8:45 pace, 88F, 55% RH, 6 mph wind, mostly cloudy

It was kind of a bitch day today. I picked a fight over nothing with my darling wife, Christine. I definitely needed a run so I took a hour of vacation ... and ran in the heat and humidity when didn't do too much for my mood.


I set up a stubborn, slow and steady pace. I didn't have my OMEP ... just my 18 ounce Nathan SpeedDraw Plus flask which was thankfully filled with ice and water. I think I dumped more on my head, neck and shoulders than I drank. It was hot and humid! But ... I got it done. My splits were: 8:45, 8:45, 8:47, 8:32, 8:42, and 8:20 over the last 0.05 mile. I went straight home and right up to take a cool shower when I got home.

Then ... I went out to supper with my youngest son, David, and his friend Titiana out to the Pasta Villa on East Ridge Rd in Irondequoit. I was told that they are just friends, not boyfriend and girlfriend. First, it poured on the way there as a front moved through. Second, Christine would have liked to come along but David was extremely nervous and wanted to keep the first meet simple. Of course, Christine thought that was disrespectful to her. Third, Pasta Villa was super busy and loud so Christine would not have liked that due to her tinnitus anyway. Fourth, we ended up eating at Olive Garden out on West Ridge Rd instead. Titiana was 20, quite nice, 5'7" and petite. I had the lasagna, Titiana had the shrimp scampi and David had the Taste of Italy. I brought Christine home a take home bag of Cheese Ravioli with Marinara sauce and a couple of bread sticks as a peace offering for being an ass. We kissed and made up before we went to sleep and again in the morning so we are all good there. I do love her but sometimes life and my reactions to it and Christine can just get in the way of a loving relationship.

Friday, 8/17/2018: 6495 steps during the day, rest day.

The usual rest day before a long run on Saturday morning. My alarm was set for 5 AM.

Saturday, 8/18/2018: 27187 steps during the day; 18.05 miles, 2:40:20, 8:53 pace, 68F, 94% RH, 8 mph wind, overcast with light sprinkles or rain for miles 0-9.


I got up when my alarm went off at 5 AM. It was dark but I could hear that it was raining outside. The weather forecast said it would clear so I puttered around a bit while I ate a bowl of cereal and checked Facebook and email. Facebook showed me the start of the Twisted Branch 100K Trail Run. Awesome! So ... my 18 miles on tap didn't seem so long. I got my gear ready ... my Orange Mud Endurance Pack (with 1600 ml of ice and water), my Hammer Gel flask and applied Body Glide. I also found a hat to wear. I got outside just at 7 AM. I checked Storm Radar on my cell and it appeared relatively clear so I left my hat in the mailbox. I set up a nice and easy road pace. My thinking was that pace wasn't important. Getting this run done without pain was more important. Well ... it started to sprinkle almost immediately. It was a steady light rain between miles 2 and 4. I didn't really mind. It kept my mind off of running. I took a Hammer Gel gulp at mile 6. I saw a group of 4 women runners around mile 7. The sprinkles started around mile 9. I had another Hammer Gel gulp at mile 10 and mile 14. I started to get a bit of mile thigh pain at mile 15. I did push it and went into an easy run/walk. I think I could have pushed through it. I got done just as I heard the coffee get done inside the townhouse. My splits were: 8:47, 8:49, 8:41, 8:30, 8:44, 8:30, 9:01, 8:35, 8:42, 8:46, 9:05, 8:47, 8:40, 8:49, 9:15, 9:27, 9:16 and 9:29.

OK! 18 miles in the books without hip pain! I did discover that I had another place to put Body Glide before a long run. I put it on my nipples, shoulder but not my groin. Hopefully I will remember next time! I was a bit stiff the rest of the day but it wasn't really too bad.

Oh .. the Twisted Branch Trail Run, results here. 110 runners finished and 23 did not finish. I read on Facebook that the conditions were not that great in the morning with a three hour rain around dawn making the footing muddy and slippery. Bambi Jasmin in 18:28:07 and Mort Nace in 18:40:58 were two runners that I knew who finished. Awesome! 100K on hilly, muddy trails is a long ways!

Sunday, 8/5/2018 to Saturday, 8/11/2018

I ran 5 times this week, 34.45 miles.
I took 84,075 steps this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.
Common abbreviation: OMEP is Orange Mud Endurance Pack

Sunday, 8/5/2018: 8299 steps during the day; RBR run of 2.05 miles run1, 11 miles bike, 2.05 mile run2.

I puttered around for a long time but I finally got out. What to do? It was the day after 15.25 miles so I didn't want to run very far. It was warm so I definitely didn't want to run very far. So ... I decided to do the DeWeaver Du of 2 mile run, 11 mile bike and 2 mile run. I got everything ready ... my OMEP filled to 1200 ml of ice and water, my bicycle locked to a tree outside and my Garmin Forerunner 310XT strapped to my wrist. I guess I started around 9:30 AM. I took a nice and steady run1 at around 8:30 pace. It was hot so I took my time in T1 ... about 3 minutes. My FR310XT died on the bike. It was warm but the breeze felt cool. I was tempted to quit after the bike but ... a Du isn't a Du if there isn't a run2. So ... I went out for the run2. I took it really nice and easy since it was even warmer ... around 9:00 or 9:30 pace. Boom ... done. My cranky, old and somewhat trusty FR310XT hasn't uploaded any data yet ... so the run1 and part of the bike are still inside it.

I lazed around the rest of the day. My darling wife, Christine, is still a bit weak from her 5 days stay at Strong Memorial Hospital so I made leftover chicken along with salad for me and warmed up some leftover soup for her. I am not the world's best cook by any stretch of the imagination.

Monday, 8/6/2018: 5571 steps during the day, rest day.

I made up a 18.4 mile route on www.plotaroute.com, link here. It doesn't have many due east stretches. My aim is to get out early (6 AM!) and get it done on Saturday.

Tuesday, 8/7/2018: 15260 steps during the day; 6.05 miles, 51:50, 8:34 pace, 82F, 70% RH,


It was very muggy when I got out of work. But ... it was Tuesday so I ran. I should say I shuffled and imitated a run. I put my pace at "get it done" and got it done. I thought about 7 miles but wisely didn't. My splits were: 8:35, 8:25, 8:35, 8:18, 8:35 and 8:37. I was drenched with sweat when I got done. Yes ... I wore my OMEP filled with 1200 ml of water and ice (which quickly melted). I am getting better at filling it without making a mess.

Wednesday, 7/8/2018: 8490 steps during the day, rest day.

I read on Facebook that Bill Murphy who suffered a heart blockage at Dirt Cheap #3 (?) is back! He finished  the Hot Summer Night 5K tonight along with 556 others, link here. Go, go, go ... Bill!

Thursday, 7/9/2018: 14207 steps during the day; 6.25 miles, 52:44, 8:26 pace, 81F, 58% RH, 6 mph W wind, mostly cloudy.


I got involved with stuff right until 5 PM so I ran once I got home. It was stupid muggy just like Tuesday just not as bad. I set up a "get it done" pace and got a 10K run done. My splits were: 8:28, 8:30, 8:20, 8:35, 8:25, 8:27 and 7:47 over the last 0.25 mile. Boom ... done! I was drenched with sweat when I got done and went straight upstairs to take a cool shower. I also put on the A/C (only the fourth time this summer) for a while before bedtime. My darling wife, Christine, warmed up some ribs and made a delicious spinach and bacon salad. Mmm!

Friday, 8/10/2018: 5860 steps during the day, rest day.

Just your typical Friday ... a rest day before a long run on Saturday.

Saturday, 8/11/2018: 26388 steps during the day; 18.05 miles, 2:40:40, 8:53 pace, 55F, 100% RH,

I was awake a few minutes before my 5 AM alarm went off. I puttered around for a while I ate my usual bowl of cereal and checked out my email and Facebook. I did get out around 6:15 AM.


It was nice and cool out. I set up a nice and easy pace. I saw a woman runner with a guy tailing her on his bike right away on the LOSP trail. I had seen them a few weeks before. I was up on Edgemere Drive between Long Pond Rd and Lowden Point Rd when I felt alternating pockets of warm and cool air. There was stretches where the wind was warm and then the wind was cool. I felt them as I ran down East Manitou Rd too. I was running Lowden Point Rd when I came suddenly upon a group of 3 runners ... one knew me. Then there were a group of 2 more runners ... I thought I knew one. I took a slug of Hammer Gel at mile 6 and just as I neared Long Pond Rd. I almost kept going east on Edgemere Drive to cut the run shorter but I turned right on Long Pond Rd instead. I was feeling tired but I ran all the way down Long Pond Rd to Janes Rd. Now ... my right hip started to hurt. I tried to ignore it but I was forced into a run/walk on the LOSP trail. My left Achilles heel started to ache too as I adjusted my gait. Anyway ... I got a 18 miler in and it wasn't pretty. Mp splits were: 8:20, 8:12, 8:11, 8:22, 8:18, 8:26, 9:06, 8:18, 8:42, 8:25, 9:11, 8:52, 8:25, 8:51, 9:13, 9:46, 10:53 and 10:43. Marathon training sucks!!! Maybe I am too hard on myself but trying to convince myself to keep running past 13.1 miles is tough mentally and just as hard physically.