Running the Course
I was excited to be running the racing route and having some idea of how the long stretches would be and how I would be feeling as I moved along. It was great to run this many miles with a big group of people connecting with new people while running, meeting various runners in the LMJS as we continued with our run. Now would be a good time to thank all the new friends I have met during this training and their continued support (you know who you are).
As this rogue group of runners started down the the street, it was obvious how difficult it is to run downtown with the traffic and curb jumping required until we reached Broadway and it's "lovely climb upward" which was a bit of a rude awakening. The first hill was a short one and I had thought I would be running an 8:30 or so pace but it appeared to be closer to the 8:15 pace, the pace I usually run at (but not for 20 miles) and the pace I was going to attempt to achieve in the marathon in a few weeks not this morning.
I didn't think the Temescal uphill was that bad- in fact I felt better and warmed up after getting past it. But it was a long, long run on the back half of the run. I do see how much easier it is to run the long miles when running with other runners who are working just as hard as you and trying to do their best. It was a drag having to obey the lights with the stopping and starting over and over again. During the race the traffic will be held and that will make a huge difference that as well as having the support of the spectators and other runners.
The last time (a few weeks ago) I ran 20 miles for a training run, I was very tired at mile marker 13, that did not happen this time and I felt my reserves still present at mile 17 but when finally reaching mile 20, I was thinking that having to run another 6 was going to require the competitor in me to surface in order finish the run. I want to be at the starting feeling line fresh and rested not tired. I was looking at the map of the course this morning and was thinking that if I have to make a move, it would be from mile 22 just as we hit the Lake. If I am on pace, I want to finish strongly from mile 22 and bring it in to the finish line if I have something remaining in the tank. All of that of course depends on what I have left. I was very tired at mile 20- but my problem (again) is the shoes and discomfort on the bottom of my feet. I need to find a "proper" sock that can end that situation. I seemed to buddy up with many of the runners from LMJS and well as a few new people that were consistently within my pacing time. There were so many hardworking runners in the practice run yesterday, with some who have run a few to over 10 marathons. I was deeply impressed and inspired by their dedication of this particularly gruelling training regimen.
Did I need to stay home last night and put my feet up? Of course, but once again a dinner party I was invited to needed to be attended. Just before dinner was being served - a few musicians showed up, one whom was carrying a bass guitar strapped on his back, I imagined it to be a home-made custom french bread made in that shape and I so wanted to tear off the neck and devour it but thankfully dinner was called and I awoke from that strange fantasy to enjoy a meal of many different and delicious delights. Oddly, I did not have much of an appetite hours after the run which I thought was strange considering the hunger pang that surfaced just before the finish. This morning I am limping (and eating everything in site but avoiding my secret chocolate stash) and getting around the house with much difficulty. Running keeps my energy level high and is one of the places where my spirit lifts, but this morning I feel beat up so I will have get around the lake today in order to work out the kinks.
I feel as if I am ready for the marathon and will use the remaining time wisely by continuing to stretch and slim down the mileage, and this challenge that I have worked so hard and consistently on for the past 6 months will soon come to fruition.
As this rogue group of runners started down the the street, it was obvious how difficult it is to run downtown with the traffic and curb jumping required until we reached Broadway and it's "lovely climb upward" which was a bit of a rude awakening. The first hill was a short one and I had thought I would be running an 8:30 or so pace but it appeared to be closer to the 8:15 pace, the pace I usually run at (but not for 20 miles) and the pace I was going to attempt to achieve in the marathon in a few weeks not this morning.
I didn't think the Temescal uphill was that bad- in fact I felt better and warmed up after getting past it. But it was a long, long run on the back half of the run. I do see how much easier it is to run the long miles when running with other runners who are working just as hard as you and trying to do their best. It was a drag having to obey the lights with the stopping and starting over and over again. During the race the traffic will be held and that will make a huge difference that as well as having the support of the spectators and other runners.
The last time (a few weeks ago) I ran 20 miles for a training run, I was very tired at mile marker 13, that did not happen this time and I felt my reserves still present at mile 17 but when finally reaching mile 20, I was thinking that having to run another 6 was going to require the competitor in me to surface in order finish the run. I want to be at the starting feeling line fresh and rested not tired. I was looking at the map of the course this morning and was thinking that if I have to make a move, it would be from mile 22 just as we hit the Lake. If I am on pace, I want to finish strongly from mile 22 and bring it in to the finish line if I have something remaining in the tank. All of that of course depends on what I have left. I was very tired at mile 20- but my problem (again) is the shoes and discomfort on the bottom of my feet. I need to find a "proper" sock that can end that situation. I seemed to buddy up with many of the runners from LMJS and well as a few new people that were consistently within my pacing time. There were so many hardworking runners in the practice run yesterday, with some who have run a few to over 10 marathons. I was deeply impressed and inspired by their dedication of this particularly gruelling training regimen.
Did I need to stay home last night and put my feet up? Of course, but once again a dinner party I was invited to needed to be attended. Just before dinner was being served - a few musicians showed up, one whom was carrying a bass guitar strapped on his back, I imagined it to be a home-made custom french bread made in that shape and I so wanted to tear off the neck and devour it but thankfully dinner was called and I awoke from that strange fantasy to enjoy a meal of many different and delicious delights. Oddly, I did not have much of an appetite hours after the run which I thought was strange considering the hunger pang that surfaced just before the finish. This morning I am limping (and eating everything in site but avoiding my secret chocolate stash) and getting around the house with much difficulty. Running keeps my energy level high and is one of the places where my spirit lifts, but this morning I feel beat up so I will have get around the lake today in order to work out the kinks.
I feel as if I am ready for the marathon and will use the remaining time wisely by continuing to stretch and slim down the mileage, and this challenge that I have worked so hard and consistently on for the past 6 months will soon come to fruition.
posted by Tomba at 8:31 AM
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