This last Saturday I completed my last 20+ mile run. I wont have to go that far again until the 24th on race day. What an exhilarating and humbling experience these last 4 month of training have been. I was injured twice, I had two bad colds and a week of the flu. I had runs where I felt I could not go even a mile and runs where I felt I could go all day.
The alarm goes off and I'm out of bed at 5:00 am, eat some raisins for breakfast. Sit and surf the net for an hour to give myself time to make sure all bathroom issues are taken care of. Get dressed and head out the door. On the way to the gym I drop water bottles at a few points along the route that I will be covering that day.
When the run starts the first 3 miles are always rough. The body is tight and sometimes still a little sore from a past run. The first mile is always way to fast and it takes me the next few miles to settle down and find a pace that I can hold for the next 3+ hours... Yeah, 3+ hours, it's almost mind boggling when you think about it. Two years ago I was stressed over a 30 minute run and now I have run for 3 hours and 40 minutes straight without stopping. Kind of makes me feel like a super hero..
After the 16 mile mark the feet start to hurt and the legs are getting weaker. (mental note: pack some Advil and take it at mile 14) There is just a lot less spring to my step. But there is no way I am going to stop moving. This is why on a run like this I run away from the starting point until I get half the miles down then turn around and go back. You have to get back so you may as well run back. lol
I feel I'm ready for this race. I know I wont be able to hit my over enthusiastic goal of under 4 hours but I will do my best to be under 4 and a half.
Wish me luck...
The alarm goes off and I'm out of bed at 5:00 am, eat some raisins for breakfast. Sit and surf the net for an hour to give myself time to make sure all bathroom issues are taken care of. Get dressed and head out the door. On the way to the gym I drop water bottles at a few points along the route that I will be covering that day.
When the run starts the first 3 miles are always rough. The body is tight and sometimes still a little sore from a past run. The first mile is always way to fast and it takes me the next few miles to settle down and find a pace that I can hold for the next 3+ hours... Yeah, 3+ hours, it's almost mind boggling when you think about it. Two years ago I was stressed over a 30 minute run and now I have run for 3 hours and 40 minutes straight without stopping. Kind of makes me feel like a super hero..
After the 16 mile mark the feet start to hurt and the legs are getting weaker. (mental note: pack some Advil and take it at mile 14) There is just a lot less spring to my step. But there is no way I am going to stop moving. This is why on a run like this I run away from the starting point until I get half the miles down then turn around and go back. You have to get back so you may as well run back. lol
I feel I'm ready for this race. I know I wont be able to hit my over enthusiastic goal of under 4 hours but I will do my best to be under 4 and a half.
Wish me luck...