Today I ran my 16 mile long run. It was actually 16.2 miles - the longest I have ever run. I planned a run that had two 8 mile components, with a stop back at the house to refill my water bottles.
I took a new route, running the first half in a different neighborhood to the north of mine. It was an interesting run, but the sidewalks were annoying. Whoever thought of winding sidewalks that snake from side to side instead of going straight did so to torture runners and bikers who want to just go straight.
My heel started to ache around mile 8, my legs at about mile 10 - but it wasn't something I couldn't push through. I just remembered the quote from a famous running coach (can't remember the name at the moment) who said that "Pain is weakness leaving the body." I got rid of lots of weakness today (and still am!).
This has been a good training week. After last weekend's busy time of racing I took Mon and Tues off, ran 8 miles Wed (overdoing it a bit), on Thurs I cross trained to give the heel a break, doing 17 min on the elliptical machine, then when I got home about 2 miles of jogging with my daughters (very cool), ran 5 miles on Fri, Sat off and then today's run. The Parrot predictor for my marathon based on my weekly running is pointing to a 5:04 marathon. 5 hours could be a doable goal!
I did feel like I did more "dodge car" in my early morning runs. It will be nice when we turn the clocks back and I spend more time running after the sun comes up instead of almost entirely in the dark. Cars are scary. Stretches of road with few street lights are scary. Areas near the woods are scary. I carry a mace item and a cell phone and in the scary areas take off my headphones. I am in a nice neighborhood but you never know.
So, a new long distance for me. Next weekend is the UCF 5 Miler and a short long run. The week after is the infamous 18 mile run.
11 weeks, 6 days and 18 hours until Disney!
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4 comments:
You are doing so fantastic. It's so inspiring to me to look back at peoples posts and see where they were a few months ago and where they are now. Makes me believe I could one day run 16 miles. Keep up the good work!
Wow sister, to do 16 miles is a great accomplishment. I don't even know how you find the time. You must get pooped. I'm so glad your keeping your spirits up even though it's tough, hang in there, your doing a great job and your putting a ton of hard work into as well. That inspires me, I'm hoping maybe someday I'll get to the point where you are, I'm so glad you keeping in shape. Your making your heart strong and your keeping healthy.
Well Good luck, and again, keep up the hard work, it's paying off. You are doing a great job preparing for this Marathon.
Thanks for the comment, sis. It does take a lot of time but thank goodness the hubby is so supportive. Like today, I ran 8 miles. That takes me an hour and 30 minutes. If I get up at 5:30 and begin just before 6 am, I can finish by 7:30 and get to work by 8:30....when I do a run like the 16 miler, that takes the better part of my day (to run and recover) but by the end of the day I was out with the girls doing stuff - that is what training is all about - you don't run that far right away, you work up to it.
I know when you decide to do it, you will do it well. And if you want, I will be your virtual running buddy! :-)
Thank you sister for all you support, your a great sister. I have to get my foot fixed first or take up biking. That nerve is rough. I have a extra build up of tissue on the nerve. So, I have to decide if I want surgery or have it removed so I won't feel the pain anymore. At least my health is better. Anyway, I'll talk to you soon.
Love ya Sis, Tammy
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