So 17 miles...yup...I ran it...this morning. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it was 17 miles, LOL. It wasn't as hot as it has been, but it definitely was still humid. I was dripping with sweat within the first mile. It didn't help I found every spider web on the trail...I spent that first mile getting the webs off my arms, my face, my legs, and my hat. It was DISGUSTING. I felt so creepy crawly until finally we were through the worst part of the trail and I was sweaty, so it didn't matter anymore, LOL. Gross, but true :P
Overall, it was a great run. I was properly hydrated (yay!!!), I had plenty to eat before, during and after the run, and I used body glide so I didn't chafe! Woo hoo :) My legs are sore, and I've been hungry all day, but that's kinda what happens when you run 17 miles, right? But I'm getting more confident in that I can complete the long runs with strength and stamina. We have two weeks of short runs (one is a fun run with my wifey, yay!), then our 20 mile run. Not only are we on double digits, but it's in the 20s! Oh boy. I hope I don't get overwhelmed by the number, but it's only 3 miles more than today :) I can do it! Yay!!
Here's to getting ready for the marathon...conquering all my fears and realizing I can overcome my athletic-induced asthma and my knee problems. I feel amazing that I'm able to do this :) My body has carried me this far...only 9 miles more til I hit the full marathon :) :) :)
Quote of the day ~ Everything happens for a reason!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Half Marathon
So 11 weeks into training and yesterday was our half-marathon distance...13 miles. I knew it was going to be rough only b/c I went to Hershey Park on Thursday. I (silly me) didn't drink enough water throughout the day and was sweating like crazy...well, lo and behold, I got really nauseous and totally out of it. Yup, I got dehydrated (me, the water drinker...the "I have to pee" girl). So I spent Thursday night and Friday all day drinking as much water and electrolyte drinks as I could possibly stand, but I still knew my muscles would be sore come Saturday morning's run.
So along comes Saturday morning...the run starts at 6 a.m., which of course, means I have to wake up even earlier to take care of the mutts. And I see it's raining, or has been, so I check my email over and over to see if the run was canceled...b/c for the life of me, all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed. But alas, the run wasn't canceled, so I dragged my sorry butt to Arlington to run 13 miles...as soon as I parked in the lot, the sky opened. The rain was coming down so hard, it was a joke...the second I stepped out of my car, I was soaked. I knew it was going to be a pleasant run (note the sarcasm). I was surprised at how many people were actually there...we definitely are die-hard runners. So, of course, I sit in my car until the last minute hoping the rain would let up even the slightest bit. So I didn't stretch at all (mistake number 1). We get into our groups and start out a little after 6...there are 6 people in our group, much less than normal, and most of us are still dead tired and now soaking wet. So needless to say, we're all a little quiet as we start out. The plan was to run out 3 miles, then back 3 miles to the "halfway" point where there was a bathroom and an "aid" station with water, gatorade, and little treats. Let's just say I thought I was going to die the first 6 miles...my legs hurt, the rain was miserable, and the hills were killing me.
On to the first break...thank GOD for the first break. I had some water and a couple little treats, which really saved me...I also stretched my legs, which totally saved me! I don't think I could have finished without the stretching. We then ran out 3.5 miles the other way and 3.5 back. That 7 miles was MUCH quicker than the first 6. I was more lively, felt better, and actually WANTED to be running. It certainly is mind over matter when it comes to running long distances...not every run is going to be fun, nor are you going to want to run every long run. But you psych yourself out and you get it done...b/c after finishing the 13 miles, I realized I had no idea how I got there. I truly have no idea how I pushed my body to run the 13 miles. I was sore when it was over, but I stretched and iced, and I feel MUCH better today. Thank god for a group to run with, b/c there's a large possibility I wouldn't have made it through without them.
So next Saturday is 15 miles...I'm hoping it isn't raining and I'm hoping I stay fairly well hydrated throughout the week. This week will be a combination of staying hydrated, stretching, icing, and making sure I can get through this long run without being a total grouch, LOL. 15 miles will be the longest I've ever run, so it will be a true test for me...one more step to the full 26.2 :)
So here it is Sunday after a long run...and I feel great. I slept in for the first time in ages, and my legs aren't sore...it's great :) Let's hope I can keep it up over the next few weeks of training. 26.2 miles is a long way...but I'm moving in the right direction to being able to finish strongly :) October 31st...wooo buddy...it'll be here in a blink of an eye!
Quote of the day ~ "When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice." (This is so true!! Hahahaha)
So along comes Saturday morning...the run starts at 6 a.m., which of course, means I have to wake up even earlier to take care of the mutts. And I see it's raining, or has been, so I check my email over and over to see if the run was canceled...b/c for the life of me, all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed. But alas, the run wasn't canceled, so I dragged my sorry butt to Arlington to run 13 miles...as soon as I parked in the lot, the sky opened. The rain was coming down so hard, it was a joke...the second I stepped out of my car, I was soaked. I knew it was going to be a pleasant run (note the sarcasm). I was surprised at how many people were actually there...we definitely are die-hard runners. So, of course, I sit in my car until the last minute hoping the rain would let up even the slightest bit. So I didn't stretch at all (mistake number 1). We get into our groups and start out a little after 6...there are 6 people in our group, much less than normal, and most of us are still dead tired and now soaking wet. So needless to say, we're all a little quiet as we start out. The plan was to run out 3 miles, then back 3 miles to the "halfway" point where there was a bathroom and an "aid" station with water, gatorade, and little treats. Let's just say I thought I was going to die the first 6 miles...my legs hurt, the rain was miserable, and the hills were killing me.
On to the first break...thank GOD for the first break. I had some water and a couple little treats, which really saved me...I also stretched my legs, which totally saved me! I don't think I could have finished without the stretching. We then ran out 3.5 miles the other way and 3.5 back. That 7 miles was MUCH quicker than the first 6. I was more lively, felt better, and actually WANTED to be running. It certainly is mind over matter when it comes to running long distances...not every run is going to be fun, nor are you going to want to run every long run. But you psych yourself out and you get it done...b/c after finishing the 13 miles, I realized I had no idea how I got there. I truly have no idea how I pushed my body to run the 13 miles. I was sore when it was over, but I stretched and iced, and I feel MUCH better today. Thank god for a group to run with, b/c there's a large possibility I wouldn't have made it through without them.
So next Saturday is 15 miles...I'm hoping it isn't raining and I'm hoping I stay fairly well hydrated throughout the week. This week will be a combination of staying hydrated, stretching, icing, and making sure I can get through this long run without being a total grouch, LOL. 15 miles will be the longest I've ever run, so it will be a true test for me...one more step to the full 26.2 :)
So here it is Sunday after a long run...and I feel great. I slept in for the first time in ages, and my legs aren't sore...it's great :) Let's hope I can keep it up over the next few weeks of training. 26.2 miles is a long way...but I'm moving in the right direction to being able to finish strongly :) October 31st...wooo buddy...it'll be here in a blink of an eye!
Quote of the day ~ "When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice." (This is so true!! Hahahaha)
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