Do what I say, not what I do.
Now that I've sufficiently provided warning, let's get to the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I ran 20 miles!!
The Good
I'm ready to burst like a balloon full of confetti! I am sitting on my bed wrapped in winter blankets basking in the glory that is the completed 20 mile run. I am more than mentally ready for the marathon and it couldn't have worked out better. I took a bit of a risk signing up for this race (and it still is a big risk), but now I KNOW I can make it. I'm so pumped!!!!
The furthest training run I've done before this was 10.5 miles. The furthest race I've ever done was 13.1 miles. I collapsed at the end of the half marathon and ended up walking in both the half ironman runs. Today I ran the entire 20 miles and I couldn't be happier!
I finished in 2:54; roughly an 8:50 pace. I did the first 10 miles at a 8:28 pace and came back at a 9:12 pace.
The Bad
About 3 miles in I could feel a dull pain in my left knee. I swore that if it started to hurt any more, I'd stop, but it never did. I was very careful not to twist that leg. It's something I will have to keep watch on. Around mile 12, I started feeling a tension in my right foot very similar to what I had felt before going to the Orthopedic earlier this year. Again, I swore if it got worse I'd stop, but thankfully it went away after a couple of miles.
The Ugly
About 8 miles in I started to feel dehydration setting in. Around mile 12 or 13, I got a full bottle of water and that did the trick. Given that experience and the fact that they hand out cups of water (not bottles) at the marathon, I'm going to need a couple of cups about every 1.5 miles or less. I remember from last year that the half marathon was sparse on aid stations and that they were insufficiently coordinated, but I JUST looked up the info for the marathon and there are 22 aid stations from mile 2.5 to 25. I'm sure it'll be a battle for cups early on, but at least down the road I can count on frequent drinks!
I also ended up with a nasty chaffing in the shorts region. I had used the non-chaffing cream, but I guess I'm going to have to be less stingy come race day.
Ok, time to take a nap!!!
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Questions
1. What did or will you do this weekend?Stay fit. Stay healthy. Stay safe.
11 comments:
Nice work on your 20 miler!! Sounds like you have a good idea of what to do during the race too! :)
I took an off day today and am now feeling like I am getting a cold. Not fun.
Good job. In my half mary today I took the bottles at the stops that they were using to fill up the little cups. I carried a bottle with me the whole race. The humidity in the north east was stupid too so you need to drink more.
Heck yeah! I am super stoked that you did all 20! That marathon's got nothing on you!!!
Nice. Also have 20 on the schedule for tomorrow.
Congrats on your 20 miler! I would still be grinning from ear to ear.
Nice job! My longest run ever is the 13.1 too, but I'm training for my first marathon so I can only imagine the excitement of that first 20 miler. I know it will feel great! Congrats!
Wahoo Congrats! That is awesome. Hope the knee is doing better. I did 12 miles yesterday and took a rest day today.
I ran 21 today! Boo-yah! I have a half next weekend with Michael (above) and then two full's this month. They won't be pretty but I'll love them nevertheless :)
Awesome, awesome. Being mentally prepared is a HUGE part of the marathon. Having a great long run is such a great way to go into a race. And I'd like to borrow some of those 8:30 miles please. :)
Good luck!! And thanks for all the supportive comments!! They mean a lot!
nice job! running 20 miles is quite the learning expereince... we did a 58/5 brick on Sat and a 10 mile run on Sunday.
"in the shorts region" ha ha ha ha!!! You mean your crotch!? =)
Awesome job on the 20 miler! It does give you a ton of confidence and a feeling of I CAN TAKE ON THE WORLD!!! You've got this!!! So awesome!
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