I had the best of intentions for the ole longrun. On Friday night I helped "staff" a friend's 7-year-old daughter's sleepover / birthday party. Fortunately I was able to leave at about 9 PM. I took "the back way" home and realized that it was slightly less than 18 miles from her house to mine. Hmm... I contemplated running to her house. I have never ran that far north. I'd cross many lines (county, city, etc.) Once Saturday morning arrived I decided to put off the longrun until Sunday. I can't recall exactly why I made that decision right now, but I did. I opted to go and visit a running shop about an hour away. I had never been there but had heard good things. I was specifically looking for some cold-weather running pants (of some sort) and, after much contemplation, a "fuel belt." Never in a MILLION YEARS would I have predicted what I came away with: warm tights. Tights! Oh my - I have arrived. Ha! And a belt. And yellow shoelaces (an Elijah thing) and some Sharkies, since I have yet to find them anywhere else.
I just remembered why I opted to run on Sunday; it was in support of Lisa who would be doing her first marathon today - the New York Marathon. I was all signed up to receive updates on her stats on my cel phone. I'd run 18 short miles as Lisa put forth her all in the Big Apple. Or so I thought...
I got plenty of sleep on Saturday night and was in good spirits this AM as I loafed around the house until about 9 AM. As you know, I normally get out there at about 6 AM or before! But with the time change and a leisurely day ahead of me, I saw no need to get up with the roosters. Maybe I should have...
It was 55 degrees so I opted to try out the tights. Chasen had to go into work, so I opted for a 9-mile out-and-back course. He passed me at about mile 2.5. I was doing great! I really viewed today's run as "18 easy miles." The hills started at about mile 3. I was trying to channel Lisa, but it just wasn't working. I started to walk up the hills with the Garmin turned off. Ick. And it got quite hot out there. I knew that the high was going to be 70. Long story short: I called for rescue at mile 9, out in the middle of nowhere. Chasen left work (and packed up him work stuff for home) to come get me. I was so bummed! I did manage to make it to mile 10 and park it in the grass. Ugh. My left hamstring was beginning to hurt, and that hasn't happened in ages. My ankle was doing great, thank goodness. My left big toe/connection to the rest of the foot was starting to hurt (and is still hurting). I just didn't have it in me. And man-oh-man was I disappointed. Splits: 11:12, 11:31, 11:37, 12:12, 12:00, 12:19, 12:02, 12:12, 12:29, 12:39.
We got home and I immediately looked up the NYC Marathon online. I continued to get Lisa's stats on my cel phone. I asked Chasen for a leg massage. He said "WHOA - you are really right - good thing you stopped. You could have easily pulled a muscle." To some degree that made me feel better... sort of...I watched the NYC Marathon recap on NBC and got all fired up. I'd really like to get out there and push through 8 more miles... but my big toe/foot hurts as I type this. I think I better leave well enough alone. I mustn't obsess about the mileage/schedule! I have to keep my eyes on St. Jude. No bonking that day!
I told Chasen "I am so tired of running in Benton." He said "Yep, it must be getting old." Fortunately, I have Annette. I will likely do an upcoming longrun with her elsewhere.
Apparently I have deleted Lisa's final update from my cel phone - OOPS! I think her average pace ended up being something like 14:08 - but don't hold me to that. Check out her blog! Congratulations, Lisa! I can't wait to read your race report!
7 comments:
Susan, they keep telling me that they all can't be GOOD runs but I want them to. At least you got out there and tried. It's even harder running alone. It was warmer this morning than one would have thought so i'm sure that didn't help your run any. A change of scenery would do you good. I get bored with the same routes and have to change but now I have nothing over 8 miles left to do. Hang in there....you still have lots of time and you are going to do great!
Well my dear, I too put off my "long run" until today. Let's just say, you made it further than I did.
At least you made an effort!
I wonder what's going on with your toe...
honey you'll be fine. They just can't all be good - it's really true. You've got to have a few bad ones peppered in there with all your amazing achievements, it reminds us all there's a human inside the superhero! Keep it up honey, me
Susan... You rock, you have done such a great job with all of your runs. DO NOT let this get you down!!!
Sorry to hear the 18-miler didn't happen. But sometimes these things happen (like me getting sick recently) and perhaps it's for the better, esp. when our bodies are sending us signals. You've still got nearly a month until your race so time to get one more long run in. Keep thinking POSITIVE!!
55 is a little warm for tights, at least that is my perception. If you are cold you are better off regulating your temperature via head (hat or headband) and hands (gloves). It could have been that you overheated and with the fact that your motivation was a little low, just shut you down. Just a theory.
You've done them before. You know you can do them! But do listen to your body. You want to run for a long time!
Post a Comment