And then just like that it was over

Long run today, longest in recent memory or even ever perhaps. Got out to my designated starting spot, the 10k loop at Elk/Beaver where the race is next month. I headed out determined to not let my nagging back issue get the best of me. The trail was sloppy the first couple of km, muddying up my shoes and legs. I focused on easy pacing and concentrating on shortening my stide and keeping my speed down. Try as I might I still ran too quickly the first 10km, clocking a 52:30. The second loop was pretty much the same thing although I brought my pace closer to where I wanted it to be at 53:55. Then with the two loops down I had to figure on how I would get home. I opted for the third choice of tracking back along Quadra and stopping when I hit my distance. The transition from trail to pavement was quite noticeable. I could feel the fatigue setting in as the km's clicked by. I relaxed and found a manageable pace. My right foot started it's pins and needles again but not nearly as badly as it had last week. My back was sore but again, not nearly as bad. At the end I stopped and walked for three blocks before grabbing the bus home, the last 8 or so blocks. I was quite pleased with my performance but still realize that I have another half marathon to run before the real race is over. My consumption on the trail was 3 gels, 2 bananas and 1.5 liters of gatorade/H20 mixed. The weather was perfect, slightly overcast with good sunny breaks, 9C. 2:36:13 ~ 29km, 5:23 per km. Today was also the day where I went over 1000km running!!!