Ah, not sure if I got that quote right, oh well. Awesome day! I took on the beast (the mental one that’s been hanging over me) and I won! Hip hip hooray! I left today with a plan to get past this mental block I’ve had over me and get back out there on the high mileage. I told my kids and hubby I was leaving and I wasn’t coming back until I ran 17 miles. I said if you don’t see me for 3 days “I love you!” Of course, they all laughed at me, but I was serious. I got in the car and headed to a park with some trails to run. I normally run around my neighborhood, but I wanted to do something different. I figured a change of scenery would be good. I also thought this would be a good way to fight off the heat/dehydration issues from yesterday. I came prepared. I packed a bottle of gatorade along with my waist pack that I use for water on my runs. There’s a couple bathrooms there and a really nice trail to run on. One of the reasons I get dehydrated is because I don’t drink enough fluids before I run because I don’t want to have to pee. Having had 6 kids my bladder just isn’t that good any more. I figured today if I had to stop and pee every 3 miles then so be it. I wasn’t going to get dehydrated and I was going to finish this run. I also planned on wetting myself down in the bathroom if I needed to. Well, I did good I did it. I stopped 4 different times at the bathroom each time drenching myself in water. By the last stop I wound up literally sticking my head under the faucet and soaking my entire head. I was hot and sweaty and honestly I didn’t look any different coming out of the bathroom than I did going in. I was drenched going in and drenched going out, but I was much, much cooler coming out. My feet hurt and I was tired and I didn’t run super fast, but I did it. I hit 17 miles.
Now here’s my plan up to my run. I’m planning on 20 for my long run on Sunday. Then the following Sunday I’m planning on 23. The next Sunday 26. Then it’s taper time for this marathon. So I’m trying to look at it this way. Only 3 more runs from hell and then the marathon — right? I can do that? I CAN DO THIS right? I’m gonna be the little choo choo for the next 3 weeks. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. Oh and by the way the Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta from Bennigans was yummy! I still think that run deserved more than just some good food. Going to think of some new bribery for the next 3 runs. I’ll put my thinking cap on for tomorrow.
Woah! That’s a lot of long runs to squeeze in. You’re doing far more than I am. My long run last week was 18. This week it’s only 14 and next week is my last long run of 20 and then I have three weeks of taper.
Whoohoo! Great run, 17 miles I can’t even imagine that right now. Very inspirational. You are so going to hit your goals! I love the part about telling your family you’re not coming back till you make your 17.
Keep up the good work.
Wow…most training plans suggest not going more than 20 miles in training. 22 at a pinch.
You might be overdoing it by going so far. I think you would be better off doing 3 20 mile runs to be honest.
My 2c worth.