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3 Weeks and Counting
Saturday was supposed to be 20-mile run number two. I only did somewhere between 16 and 17 and it was torture. There was a huge downpour Saturday so I didn't even head out for the run until 3 pm. I think the timing made a huge difference. I'd already had breakfast, coffee, and was a bit hungry when I set out. Not to mention that it was incredibly windy and I was on my own for this run. No Steph sadly.
From the moment I set out, it seemed I just couldn't get my head and body into it. I think I couldn't wrap my head around running yet another 20 miles AND doing it alone. Though I was revved up at home, I was tired early on in the run. After I did 6 miles, I started to really poop out. I think part of the problem was that I did not eat well the week leading up to it and I hadn't been guzzling water the way I should have been. But one great thing I noticed is that by drinking Gatorade earlier and having more Gu, I avoided my usual post-run stomach troubles. But who knows, maybe all of those extra electrolytes slowed me down? I have no idea.
But after mile 12, I really just couldn't keep my head in the game. My feet were hurting, my knees were aching, my hamstring was so tight I was afraid I might pull it. I'd slowed down to slower than an 11-minute-mile pace. I just felt like I gave out -- physically and emotionally. That really concerned me. I would hate for that to happen during the marathon. I can only hope it was a passing lack of motivation problem.
However, my hamstring is nagging me and I think I'm going to finally spring for a massage to hopefully get some of the tightness in my muscles worked out. I've read you should do this often while marathon training, but it seems so decadent and hardly necessary. Now I kind of get it.
As that was my last long, long run, I'm pretty thrilled. I came home and was on the highest of runner's highs I've had in a long time. I'm assuming it was pain-induced. I could not calm down until the next day, when I swear I crashed hard emotionally. Sometimes I think running is almost like a drug -- all that dopamine flooding your body -- then it goes away just as quickly leaving you feeling pretty low when it's all said and done. Combined with the physical depletion, it can really do a number on you. Or maybe it's just me.
I was really disappointed that I didn't finish another 20, but I'm over it. I'm not going to spend any more time thinking about what I didn't do. Because I still did 16 or so, in pain, on my own, and with the wind ripping across my face. So, go me. Now my 26.2 is just around the corner and I can't wait!
seejenrun06 at 4:52:00 PM EST Blog about this entry |
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Hey girl! Don't worry about it! Every runner has both good and bad days. I've had bad days, and I've had good days. Lucky for me my best day was my first 20 mile run but it's not always the case. One of my worst runs was the first week of tapering when I ran 12 miles. It took me forever-much slower than my normal pace-and I was miserable through the whole thing. Just brush it off and concentrate on your next run, no matter what the distance and don't worry about race day yet because you can't anticipate what you (or your body) will be feeling until you are actually running! You'll rock it, I have faith!
11/2/06 1:58 PM
you did 20 miles!?! wow. it's so good that you'll have this journal to look back on. this is such an accomplishment. good luck in philly, i'll be cheering from d.c. :)