Notes
First-ever run beyond 10 miles. Because I've flaked on my training, went straight to 13 rather than intermediate runs of 11 and 12 miles. (Oops.) Good weather. Legs much better today. Breathing better too. The main problem throughout was my sinuses, which seemed irritated and made my head hurt a little. Need to focus on getting my allergies and sinuses under control in the next two weeks.
My breathing was fine. I took the run nice and easy and wasn't gasping at all, even at 13 miles. Aerobically, I could handle this.
My legs were good through miles 8 or 9. Around then I started to feel them getting tired. Between mile 10 and 11 they really started getting tired. After mile 11 they just about felt dead, and I wondered about making it through, though I got a little boost of adrenaline as I neared home and felt strong. I would definitely say my legs were the limiting factor here. I'm not used to covering 13 miles or running for nearly 2.5 hours. This is where the holes in my training showed up. Nevertheless, I was able to do it.
For fuel, all I did was drink some Gatorade before I left the house, and brought 2 Amphipod bottles of Gatorade with me, both of which I consumed. It was actually kind of hot in the sun in the early portion of the run, though it cooled off in the shade and as the afternoon progressed. I brought Shot Blox but did not eat any, and I kind of preferred that, to be honest. May try that again on my 10 miler next weekend, and if it goes well, go Gatorade only for the half marathon.
My legs were really dead toward the end, I hadn't ever run past 10 miles before, and I didn't know how I was going to get through it. I told myself not to quit. I told myself I would get to stop sooner if I kept running. I told myself I didn't come that far only to stop. It was interesting, because the pain was physical, but the challenge was mental: don't give up. I didn't, and I think I may have learned something that will help me in this race, and any other longer distance races I may do in the future.
Victory.