It’s hard for me to believe that I’m at this point in my marathon training. But more amazing to me is that after spending many years of my life obese, that I am even attempting to do this.
As it always goes, I ate a small breakfast and put all the stuff together in Kevin’s backpack for a loooooong run on the MKT/KATY trail.
I went to a runner’s store yesterday and bought lots of the GU Expresso Love which has become my favorite. Loaded Kevin’s bag up with water and NUUN. I took the big chance to run in those Brook’s Glycerin which I threatened to put on Ebay a few weeks ago. I still love Asics Nimbus more.
It was a cool and sunny morning. I really hope the weather is just like this morning on the morning of Oct 19 for the marathon.
Before I began, I stressed and hyperventilated a bit. HA! I’ve never done that before this training but I have had that happen a couple of times.
Once I got to running, I was enjoying the trail and it was spectacular today. It’s getting so cool here that some of the trees are already turning gold and red colors.
Truthfully, this run went so well that early in (barring any injury) that I knew I would finish it relatively drama free. I took and ate plenty of GU and drank a lot of water but I didn’t sweat that much. I never overheated and the cool breeze in my face was nice.
At mile 16, I did experience that same toe issue as before and I could tell that it was only going to get worse. At mile 17, I felt mildly nauseous and that could have been from all the GU that I ate.
I kept a decent (slow) and consistent pace. That’s what I shoot for. It’s hard to do that in a real run because your natural inclination is to start fast and think you should keep up with fast runners. That’s a mental thing and I’m usually good and blocking that out and paying attention to my own pace.
A good piece of advice that I have adopted and it does help….run the mile you are in. Maybe the best advice that I’ve received.
Kevin’s bicycle tire blew at mile 15 so he had to run beside his bike to keep up with me.
I don’t want it to sound like it was “easy peasy,” it was not. But, I never became winded at all and could have carried on a conversation with someone if I were running with someone. Sometimes, I just sang.
After 14 or 15 miles….it became mental.
I’ve read by many that the real marathon begins at mile 20….that worries me! HA!
When we got home from the trailhead, Kevin and I sat in the car for a while and I just started crying uncontrollably…out of the damn blue! I should have been happy but I kept telling him that there’s no way I can get 8.2 more miles. He was sweet and told me that I never dreamed I’d run 13 miles, 14, 15, 16 etc.
18 miles!! Wow congrats!! I can’t imagine. Maybe the running the higher mileage makes you cry. You’re doing awesome and should be proud.
Good for you, don’t worry about the crying I always break down after a big run or race, its a very emotional thing, own it!
Your journey is an inspiration, Charlotte. A quote I read recently in a running book is “the best way out is always through”. That one has really stuck in my mind, especially when I start to doubt my ability to tackle a certain distance. Keep up the good work!
Yay! I am so glad it went off without a hitch. Cheers to your upcoming 20 and I hope it goes stellar as well!
Jumping up and down for joy for you! Congrats! So happy it went so well. You are amazing.
Thank you, Cynthia for your support! 🙂 20 coming up (hopefully) on Sept 27.