And the week came to an end...

Nothing really interesting to report besides that planned 18 miler actually did happen. It was same 18F when I left the house, but 24F at the start. The wind was much calmer though and the far end of Forest Park had denser woods so it felt warmer. When I picked up Gail while still dark outside (and the sky was full of stars), her husband Sid said: why in the world do I always get out on this ungodly hour and why do they always agree to follow crazy me? There was again a talk about breakfast, but I already put number 18 in my log book, so the only thing I agreed to was to change the route. Gail joined me for the first 2 hrs of the run on out-and-back, and it felt much better than yesterday. I also carried 2 water bottles, as opposed to having a pack last time, what in itself was supposed to serve a purpose of keeping my back warm, but the tubing froze down, and I never could get out any water of it:) I did have an extra bottle with carbo-mix, and that’s how I managed 16M yesterday. SO once we came back to the car, Gail was done, Sid was waiting for us talking to Steve Smucker and they tried to propose for me to run last hour together. Ha! Even on my best day Steve would have been completely bored at my pace, and right now I was up to no challenge at all. I took off the other direction before I change my mind, but my pace slipped dramatically. I fought to the point where I had to go back from, and made it back. Unlike the first 2 hrs, this one was not only slow, but also gave me tight back, sore butt and painful hamstrings. I wasn’t even making fun of myself or pushing, or talking (thanks to all who said it’s normal!), I just wanted to be done. Now that’s my biggest week is over, I can officially admit - I am tired...I am only human after all:)