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18 Miles Rocks!
Yesterday was my 18 mile run -- my longest run yet. I completed the New York Road Runners 18-Mile Tune Up Race. I'm absolutely amazed that I did it, ran every step of the way -- and in pretty good time, too. I was aiming for 3 hours, 9 minutes, and I think I came in around there. I'm still awaiting the official time.
Leading Up to the Day
I guzzled water and ate carbs like it was my job. I ate so much that it was ridiculous, but all healthy food. No alcohol, no sugar, one cup of coffee, tons of water. Sandwiches for lunch, pasta for dinner. Bananas, apples, more sandwiches. I even snacked on sandwiches. Weird right? I got tons of sleep, about 9 hours the day before. I also loaded my iPod with a little over 3 hours of music the night before, partly so I wouldn't have to mess with it, but also as inspiration to finish by the time I ran out of music.
The Day
The race started at 9:30 am, much later than I usually do my long runs. I knew that was going to be an issue in terms of when and how much to eat. I stuck to my same PowerBar but I think I ate it a bit too early or maybe just not enough. I probably should have something more than just an energy bar, given the distance. I'll try that for my 20-miler.
Miles 1 through 6
(one lap around Central Park) These were pretty easy. The first 2 miles were at a snail's pace due to the bottleneck at the beginning. It probably took about 25 minutes to do the first 2 miles. So when the crowd started to thin out from mile 3 on, I picked up the pace to make up some time. I skipped the first water station and didn't have my first drink until around mile 5. I think I have my water-guzzling technique down. I basically slow down, grab, walk, drink, pour out remainder, toss to the side, LOOK CAREFULLY, then start running again.
Miles 7-12
I'm usually pretty strong until I reach mile 12. But the second climb up the Great Hill --around mile 7 was hard. I did my first shot bloks there. Instead of doing 3 at a time as I might usally do, I just ate one at a time, followed by a cup of water, each time I passed a fluid station. Maybe not the best idea to spread them out so much, but I started getting these weird waves of nausea and I didn't know what was happening. If it was the PowerBar, the shot bloks if I was hungry, thirsty, or hot. It was unusually warm and sunny for October and because the race started so late, we were baking an hour in. The waves of nausea came and went and I was fine as we approached mile 12.
Mile 13
Okay, here's where things got a little tough. Mile 13 was the third climb up the Great Hill. The crowd had really thinned out by now. Over my music (definitely needed the iPod), I could just hear the panting and grunting of all the runners around me and my ankles started to hurt. Once we got over the hill, I felt much better and the next couple of miles were okay, but I was ready for it to just be done. I kept an eye on my watch as well as the official time at each mile and tried to keep pace, but I also didn't want to use up too much energy and be left with nothing at the end. It's a hard balance and it's tough to know how you might feel in a few miles. I also decided I was done with shot bloks from there on and started drinking Gatorade where it was offered. It's kind of the same thing right? I mean, do you really need energy gels?
Miles 14 to 15 I had some sort of stomach issue. I had cramps and felt sick and not sure exactly what my body wanted to do. I know that sounds crazy, if not also too much information, but I thought I could just run through it. Of course as I was working this out in my head, I looked over and a woman from the race was heaving in the grass. I swear she ended up finishing before me. She's hard core. At any rate, I was sure that was going to be me, but it subsided, I kept drinking Gatorade anyway, even when I felt sick and somehow it worked out.
Miles 16 to 18
Honestly, it's kind of a blur. I remember thinking, "Oh my God, I want this to be done." Unlike with my 16 mile run when my quads were dying, this time, my legs were fine. It was my ankles and feet that were killing me. After a while, it felt like I was running with no shoes. Like I could feel every strike on the pavement and ever crack and crevice under my foot. P-A-I-N-F-U-L. I really had to talk myself through those last few miles. I kept saying things like, "Think how disappointed you'll be if you walk now." "You're almost there. You've worked so hard for this." I was thinking about what I was going to do later, what I would eat, how great I would feel when it was done. I tried to look out at some of the scenery and it was nice when passersby cheered, but it was so, so very hard.
I was so relieved and proud when I crossed the finish line. And what I learned from running 16 miles is that you MUST eat immediately following the race. I'm telling you, the bagels they gave out might have been the best bagel I've ever tasted. I tried to resist the urge to sit, but I couldn't stand anymore. I did some lame 10 second stretches and plopped down in the grass. When I felt a bit more stable I got up and did some more stretching but I just felt a little to weak and wobbly to do it.
After that, I shuffled home, put my feet up, put ice on my knees and ankles, drank a ton of water, ate, ate again, showered, and ate again. I ended up having some serious stomach issues later in the day. I'm just glad it happened after the race was over. I'm not sure what caused it so I can avoid it, but I'll check into it.
Today
When I told my boss about my run today, she asked me where I went mentally to get through it. And I have to say, looking back, it was some place I have never been before. I'm not even sure where it was. I'm sure it can all be explained by adrenaline and endorphins, but it was just some kind of a weird mental blur.
Anway, though I woke up feeling pretty good, I'm getting more sore as the day goes on and I'm absolutely not running today. Instead, I'll just bask in the glow.
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10/12/06 11:53 AM
Currently, I bike, lift weight and swim. i run form time to time.
Again congrat lady!