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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / running long

running long

December 30, 2014      13 Comments

As my marathon training has gone on, I have come to dread the inevitable “long run.” When I was working towards the half, the long runs were always pretty much manageable, with the exception of a bad run here and there, but I could power through eight miles, ten miles, twelves miles, refuel, shower and go about my life. If I was supposed to run long on Tuesday and had to postpone to Wednesday, it didn’t make much of a difference in my sleeping, nutrition or hydration. Things were flexible and fluid, and that eliminated some of the pressure (real or imagined).

Once I hit 15 miles at a time, things changed. My hydration had to be on point for days leading up to the big day. Obviously, because running long(er) takes significant chunks of time, I had to carefully schedule my runs. And afterwards, well… I confess to being pretty useless after long runs (Sorry Mr PugRunner, little man and pugs). Tired and listless, sometimes achy and, depending on my thoughts on the quality of said run, moody.

At this point, I feel like it’s so much more mental than physical. My body keeps going. I’ve seen that. It may be slow and sluggish and painful, but I can put one foot in front of the other, a la the “competitors” in Stephen King/Richard Bachman’s The Long Walk. My brain, on the other hand, starts to scream “Stop it! This is stupid! Don’t do this! You can’t do this!” And for me, that’s the hard part. No amount of Serial, or upbeat music or witty banter can shut that voice down. It’s soul-sucking and draining and I can’t fathom having to listen to it for much longer.

I really wish I enjoyed it more.

I have been working with the Jeff Galloway Walt Disney World Training Plan. There are three specific to the marathon and all three go up to 26 miles. After much discussion with my friends and you awesome blog readers, I determined that 26 might be too much on my body. I was hoping to hit 21, for the mental boost of getting over 20, but 20 would be sufficient as a final long run. Of course, I was feeling super ambitious after an amazing 18 mile long run, so we have to take that into account, too.

My friend E mentioned to me that we should go to the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail for this run. She would ride her bike next to me and be my sherpa: carrying extra hydration and nutrition, offering encouragement and conversation and basically just keeping me company. I was incredibly grateful for the offer, but worried that it was going to eat up such a huge portion of her day. I didn’t want to be responsible for that, especially if I ended up having a hard time, but she promised it was fine, and so I picked her up at 5:45 in the morning and off we went.

We were greeted by this guy. Loudly and insistently. Also, he was gigantic. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rooster so huge.

We hit the restroom in the parking lot, double-checked what we had packed, and had a good laugh when one of my bungee laces snapped. It was over my lower arch so it really didn’t feel any different.

It was time to go.

Although the temperatures were supposed to be in the 60s and 70s, it felt much cooler, and I was grateful for that. E actually had on long pants and had to pull up her hood. I wish I had thought to bring gloves, but after a while it was ok.

My pace was slow, but we decided that was probably for the best since I had so many more miles to go. There was a bathroom at six miles on the trail and I was pretty gleeful to see it.

The first ten miles went really well. We chatted, checked out the beautiful scenery and enjoyed the quiet.

 

There were a few bikers and even fewer runners out, so we had the trail mostly to ourselves. I started with my Gatorade at mile six (because I had to go to the bathroom so badly LOL) and fuel at mile eight. Finally, it was time to turn around, and the next couple of miles were ok, too.

We took quick breaks every two miles so I could get down my mini Snickers. I felt fine, although I was really anxious to find that restroom again, and then I tripped on something on the trail, rolled my ankle and did something unpleasant to my big toe. Ugh.

I deflated quickly. There was no way back to the car other than straight ahead, and man, it felt like it would be forever. I had stopped talking and plugged in, first to some music and then to another episode of Serial.

Things started to stiffen up on me, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I almost started crying at mile 17. I took a kind of long walk break (maybe half a mile), and told E that I was really afraid of being picked up by that sweeper bus. I just couldn’t conceive of having to do all this PLUS another nine miles. She was very kind and told me to take my time and do what I needed to do – however we got back to the car was fine.

I took a last break for some cheez-its (it was a salty snack that sounded better than pretzels when I packed), and made the decision to set my phone interval timer to 1:00/1:00. I didn’t think I could handle 2:30 of running at that time, but anything was better than straight walking. I felt my legs loosening as we went, and I was able to take out my ear buds and chat and joke again.

At one point, we passed a group of guys, who must have been training for a trip (we had seen them on bikes earlier, and now they were running – one of them and a great sense of humor and had called out how unfair it was that I was running while E was biking). E yelled out “Hey! This girl just ran 20 miles!” and they all clapped and cheered. Which almost brought me to tears again (I swear, I’m not a crier. Running makes me leak).

And then it was over. OMG 20 MILES! Who would have thought that I would ever be able to complete that kind of distance in one shot?

But it was still discouraging. My 18 miler had been so great and this was just so awful. I tried to be an optimist and told myself that it’s better to have a bad run now than on the big day, but it still stings and leaves the window of doubt wide open.

 

What went wrong?

  • Nerves. A lot of nerves. There was a big build up to the day, and then a long drive out to the location. Nerves always get the best of me, and today was no different.
  • Lack of attention to pre-run hydration and nutrition. It was Christmas week, and I was eating a lot of junk. To be honest, if I got in a big glass of water each day that week, it was a lot. And there was wine. So I need to pay attention to that.
  • Chafing. I rarely, if ever chafe. I didn’t feel it when it was happening, but that shower when I got home was pretty excruciating. I’ll be more prepared on race day.
  • Broken shoelace. It happens. Fortunately, it wasn’t at the marathon. I’ll bring some extra bungees just in case. No big deal.

What went right?

  • Great company. I’m a lone wolf when it comes to running, but it was really nice to have someone with me, to keep my spirits up and support me when I didn’t think I could go any more. Words cannot express how thankful I was for that. I really do have amazing friends.
  • The weather. It did heat up towards the end of the run, but the tree canopy and cloud cover made the morning bearable. Hopefully, my luck with that holds.

 

When I got home, Mr PugRunner had picked up some chocolate milk and a Publix sub (turkey and swiss and all the veggies). It was perhaps the best food I’ve ever tasted.

And then, little man and I climbed into bed to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. My adrenaline was too high to doze, but this little girl picked up the slack for me.

I don’t know what’s going to happen at the marathon. I know what I’ve done so far, and I hope that it’s enough to get me through. I really don’t think there is any kind of training that can prepare a person for what an actual 26.2 race will be like, so I have to be ready for that unknown, too.

Now we begin the taper. I am looking forward to some shorter, easy runs, and also to putting in some miles at the ZOOMA 10 Mile Training Run on Saturday (don’t forget to RSVP here if you plan on joining us! And if you still haven’t registered, please use code JENN15 to save 10% on any of the Amelia Island distances).

Time to sit back, sort out my packing list and get my mind focused.

Do you love marathon training or do you prefer other distances?

What are some things you do to help combat the fear of the unknown?

 

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Comments

  1. Darlene says

    December 30, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    I dread runs over 6 miles so I am in awe of anyone who runs more than 13.1. You will be great. I always race better than my training runs. The excitement will carry you through the miles. Can’t wait to hear about your marathon.
    Darlene recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Wrap-up – A Look Back at 2014My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      December 30, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      I am honestly good up to 13 (.1 if necessary), but these long runs are a whole different beast. I hope things fall into place and that my anxiety doesn’t get the better of me. I’m worried about the weather and I still haven’t finalized my outfit, but I guess it is what it is. Not much I can do but put one foot in front of the other at this point.

      Reply
  2. jan says

    December 30, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    GREAT job finishing 20 miles! I know a lot of people have rather unpleasant long runs when they hit those distances so don’t beat yourself up about that! I’m sure you are in great shape for marathon day.
    jan recently posted…Adventures in Doll HairMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      December 31, 2014 at 2:35 am

      I guess I fail to see how it can be anything BUT unpleasant. But maybe that’s just because I lack talent at running. Who knows? One more time! One more time!

      Reply
  3. Jess says

    December 30, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    awesome job! I am with you 100% on the mental game thing – once I get past miles 7-10, I get what I call the “existential anger”: I mentally beat myself up for even attempting anything so silly as running long distances and call myself every name in the book and sometimes even defeat myself and end up having to get picked up crying from the side of the road 7 miles from home. But what matters is that in the end we run those miles anyway, and that’s just what you did! My hat is off to you – you’re going to rock that marathon! 🙂

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      December 31, 2014 at 2:36 am

      LOL! I love that term! It doesn’t hit me until around 12 or 13, which is just enough to get me through a half marathon, unless it’s a REALLY bad run. I have definitely sat down and started crying while training, and it’s just awful. But I guess what matters is standing up and getting back out there. Thanks for the support and good wishes.

      Reply
  4. Karen @karenlovestorun says

    December 31, 2014 at 1:31 am

    I really, really admire you for doing the majority of your training solo. It is NOT easy. I was so lucky to have a running partner last year and my unknown is looking ahead to training alone..it’s scary and seems impossible!
    I did three 20 milers before the marathon last year and one of them was AWFUL! It was hard, cold, miserable overall but in the end we finished and it made me a little less scared of those BIG distances.

    You are going to do an awesome job in Disney! I’m excited for you 🙂

    Karen @karenlovestorun
    Karen @karenlovestorun recently posted…Year of Running {2014}My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      December 31, 2014 at 2:38 am

      There’s definitely a peace in running alone. And also, I don’t feel quite as embarrassed, jiggling along and gasping for air. But it’s nice to have a friend along as well.

      We don’t have the real cold here, although I am hoping for chilly temps next weekend. I kind of wish I had more time for one more run, but here we are and whatever will be will be.

      Thanks for the love!

      Reply
  5. Stacie says

    December 31, 2014 at 2:39 am

    While I’ve never tackled anywhere near 20 miles, I have completely felt what you’re feeling. I honestly almost never enjoy running, especially long runs. But once it’s over… Ahhhh! That’s a good feeling! It’s so SO SOOOOOO helpful to have company though, and hats off to your friend for being awesome! My friend Katie (from http://www.runningaragnar.blogspot.com) trained and ran a marathon last year, and I jumped in for the last 8 of her 18 mile training run. I felt badly that I might be slowing her down, but she said it was the perfect pace at that point in her long run, and having the company helped her tons. Or maybe it’s just that misery loves company? Either way, yay for running (or biking) friends!
    Congrats on getting to 20 miles! You’re going to be amazing at the marathon! Plus you’ll have all the awesome Disney characters cheering you on! I can’t wait for the recap and a pic of your giant marathon medal!
    Stacie recently posted…Truthful TuesdayMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      December 31, 2014 at 2:50 am

      I do sometimes enjoy running. And it’s frustrating when I come off a few really great runs and get slapped in the face with a less than stellar one.

      I promise there will be lots of pictures of me and that medal. Lots.

      Reply
  6. Angie says

    December 31, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    I am struggling too with the mental aspect. I have done two 21 mile runs, and they were disasters. I can’t imagine having to go another 5 miles. However, I have no doubt that we will both cross that finish line.
    Angie recently posted…I write great blog posts in my headMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    January 1, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    Marathon training is so mental. Those long runs.
    I am realizing that I probably like the half more.
    Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…A Look Ahead – 2015 GoalsMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Matilda says

    January 6, 2015 at 9:27 am

    you did so well. congrats… at least now you know what to expect on race day.
    And I would have tears too after what those guys said. Be proud you deserve it. You rock!
    Matilda recently posted…About Me: Random FactsMy Profile

    Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
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