My forearms propped up my hunched over body on the island in the kitchen. My legs did not want to move and I felt completely drained and depleted. I was starting to get very cold and my hands were even beginning to get numb. It was all I had just to make it over to the stairs where I went down to both knees...head on a step...mustering up the strength needed to make it to the bedroom and get some dry clothes on. How did I get here? Allow me to back up a few hours...
I woke up early Saturday morning feeling good. The temperatures outside were in the low 30s, so I was very glad that I had stopped the night before and bought some new running pants (Nike Dri-Fit ones
) I put them on, added a long sleeve t-shirt and went downstairs to pack up the suitcase. Ok, so I don't take a suitcase with me when I run but it sure feels like I need one sometimes! Between the mp3 player, heart rate monitor, 2 bottles of water, 1 bottle of Propel, 2 gel packs, gloves, hat and towel...it actually takes more than one trip to the car to get it all in LOL!
I arrived at the trail to find it under construction in some parts. They were digging up a huge path in the middle of the field and it bisected the trail in a couple places, turning part of it into a cross country style adventure, having to watch your footing amongst the huge tire tracks in the softened dirt. I guess it was that along with the temperatures that kept a lot of runners and walkers away that morning. But not me
I was to run 14 miles....over half the distance of the marathon....and nothing was gonna prevent me from that. Thank goodness the construction had halted, it ended up being me, a few other runners and some random deer and rabbits running through the nearby woods.
The run started off exactly as planned and the first 10 or so miles went about as routine as running 10 miles can get. I popped a gel pack (green apple, yummy!) during mile 5 and removed the gloves around the 9 mile mark. It was somewhere during that 10th mile that things got interesting. I did take another gel pack (strawberry banana, yummy!) just prior to mile 11, but then started to zone out again sortly afterwards. You see, during the 12 miler two weeks ago I felt a very odd sensation towards the end of the run...I even had to 'snap out of it' and get my mind focused on walking back to the car....I chalked it up to just zoning out. Well, it happened again and it's such an indescribable experience. It's like my mind becomes over sensitive to my body and surroundings...peripheral vision decreases a bit and I become completely focused on the path ahead of me. It's like you don't have to think about running, your body is just doing it for you and your mind gets to escape a bit. It's so hard to put it into words but it's a very different type of feeling. The research I've done has led me to believe that it is a form of Runner's High caused by the endorphins in my system.
But soon after that feeling subsided, the run became very difficult. I found myself constantly looking at my Polar to see when the next walk break would come up. I had the presence of mind to slow way down to prevent injury and power through those last two miles. I finished the run and walked the half mile back to the beginning of the trail.
I did a long stretch, focused on my calves and quads as they were already starting to ache a bit. Normally, I'd go walk a mile or two as a cool down and to try and stay loose but I couldn't do it today. I made it about a tenth of a mile before turning back, getting in the car and driving myself back home.
As soon as I got out of the car in the garage it all hit me. My legs just did not want to go any further...I got very cold and my hands even started getting numb (esp my thumbs). I wanted to change clothes but only made it as far as the kitchen initially (which is located right inside my garage).
Never in my life have I felt so completely depleted and drained as I did that morning. Concern really set in once I managed to make it upstairs and laid down on the bed. I just wanted to sleep...I was very hungry...and I was freezing. I was so dehydrated that I actually had salt on my face and clothing instead of sweat. If I was ever gonna doubt if I had what it took to run this race, it was at that moment. But this is about proving to myself that I can push beyond anything, that I will not quit, and nothing will get in my way. So I gave myself a mental pep talk, got back up and changed clothes.
I started to feel better once I had dry and warm clothes on. My hands were still an issue and my legs ached pretty bad but I was able to make it back downstairs and go get some food shortly thereafter.
I recovered once I had food in my system and managed to take a long nap. I was still sore in my legs, but could get around pretty easily. By Sunday, everything felt pretty good again (thank goodness).
So I've learned a couple of things from my Saturday experience. First, I need to slow down a bit during those long runs. There is no reason to exhaust myself during training...I'll save that for the race if need be. Second, I need to change clothing after the runs, especially in the cold. I think keeping my wet long sleeve shirt on decreased my body temp or something, making me very cold. Third, I need to properly hydrate and stay focused on my nutrition. I didn't eat well last week and I know I was lacking in the water category...plus, I had been sick on Wed so I'm sure that drained me as well. Overall, I just need to get my butt into gear and really focus on the training from here on out. Training and running a marathon is no joke.
So with that said...I made a solid meal plan for the week and I'm already hydrating like crazy (oh yeah...I'm a runner now, so I don't drink water...I hydrate LOL ). I'm focused on this week's schedule which is as follows:
Today - 60 min hood run
Tuesday - 40 min XT
Wednesday - 40 min hood run
Thurs - off!!
Friday - 40 min XT
Saturday - 8 mile LR
And oh yeah...almost forgot to mention the results of that 14 mile run. Check this out:
Mile 1 - 8:09
2 - 8:40
3 - 8:49
4 - 8:38
5 - 8:39
6 - 8:58
7 - 8:43
8 - 8:21
9 - 8:47
10 - 8:49
11 - 8:58
12 - 8:42
13 - 9:06
14 - 9:21
Overall - 2:02:40
8:46mpm Pace
178/164 HR
So that's it from the training side of things! Sorry to pull all the dramatics but it was kind of fun to write it that way
I hope everyone has a great week!!
Great runs Scott!!! You had another wonderful week of exercising. I'm so impressed with your continued improvements and incredible determination run after run!!! You are just so fast!!! 
. My favorite show! I always look forward to it. Hmmmm....I guess I might actually get something done around the house tonight since both the office and survivor aren't new 
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Go Buckeyes! 
Hi Scott!
(something I ate maybe?) so I scrapped the XT. Fortunately, things subsided by the afternoon so that I could participate in the Halloween festivites.
Is it finally time to go looking for some running pants? :yes: So not only am I loco enough to run 14 miles, but I'm gonna do it in freezing temperatures...have I lost my mind? 
OMG...Lost this past Wednesday...i did NOT see THAT coming!! And the previews for next week look soo good!! And we heard Locke speak the line that Eko first said last year..."don't mistake coincidence for fate"...I think it's key for the entire deal. I've gotta get caught back up with Survivor and The Office...and I'm really enjoying the Amazing Race now (even if I thought it was VERY odd that Kentucky was saved again 
:
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I think that what you said makes complete sense...on your super-long runs...it's more about doing it than killing yourself to go really fast. Save it up for race day!!
. But seriously, you are really supposed to be running your LRs at approximately 2 minutes slower than your pace. I know you're fast....but I don't think you are planning to run the marathon in sub-7s. But hey...maybe you are...in which case.....good luck with that!!!! My pledge to run this thing with you only extends to 10 mpms or slower. Sorry buddy....you may need to give Lance a call! 
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for the rest of your week.... I hope everything goes super smoothly! 
watching Talledega Nights with a box of donuts and a few cold beers 
Then, I read a little further down and started... 
