I am now one of those guys--one of those guys who has run 20 miles or more. Today was 20.5 miles to be exact.
Nancy Sutzer and Anne Baker told me I could run with them. I was grateful for the invitation because I was really worried about doing that kind of distance on my own. When we all three showed up at Panera, the first thing they told me was that they run 11:30 miles. Then they said they walk two-tenths of a mile after every mile they run.
I laughed and said that was all fine with me. I needed to pace myself for the long run, and I needed to learn to take more walk breaks.
It took us well over four hours, but we did 20 miles. We ran through cold wind, rain, rain mixed with snow, and sleet. Sometimes stuff was coming down and sometimes it was not.
I felt strong most of the way; I only bogged down some around 17 to 18 miles according to Nancy's Garmin. Then the strangest thing happened--I got like a second wind. I felt strong running the last mile.
I didn't exactly feel like running another six when we got done, but I was not completely exhausted. That's saying something.
And I'm not in severe pain now. The ankles are a bit stiff, but no other real pain. That's a surprise.
Oh, and I was going to try an ice bath which people have recommended to me. But after running in cold rain for most of the morning, sitting in a tub of ice water really didn't sound like a good idea. So I took a hot shower instead.
Next week is a cutback to only 14 miles. We all had a good chuckle over that.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
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4 comments:
Barry, you rocked out there today. You probably ran closer to 22 miles due to circling back so that we could catch up. Thanks for putting up the walk breaks. I think mile 18, for some bizarre reason, was my strongest (through the endless subdivision). Maybe it was the jolt of gelatinous Accelerade, or the desire to just get through that particular circle of hell, but once we got around the zig-zag, my sole purpose in life was to keep the yellow jacket in my peripheral vision.
Anne, the walk breaks are the only thing that got me through.
I noticed you speeding up at 18 miles; that's about when I was thinking that I wasn't going to make it!
Once we hit West White Oaks I just wanted to get done as fast as I could! Thanks again.
Barry:
The ice bath works...but I agree...getting in a tub of ice after running in Saturday's conditions sounds more stupid that actually running in Saturday's conditions...oh, wait...I guess we were out there as well!
Keep it up Big Toe! You will do great.
Hey Tim,
You sure read blogs and post comments at weird times.
But I appreciate the encouraging words. Especially considering how responsible you are for me even trying this. Before I met you, I was the guy who kept failing at training himself for Abe's Amble!
Thanks so much!
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