I last posted a blog on January 10. That’s over a month ago. It’s crazy how life sometimes gets away from you, and you get caught up in other things and forget about things you should be doing. Not that blogging should be a requirement or chore, but it’s supposed to be something I enjoy and therefore should keep up with.
So the last time I wrote I was going on about how much I was surprised with how the treadmill weekend went, and how good my running was going. It’s amazing how quickly things can change. I cannot remember now if it was one week or two after that, but I do know that it was the day I was to run my last really long run of training, 26.2 miles. The week before’s runs hadn’t been that great, but I was confident going into this run, especially since it was not hypothermia cold out. I set out feeling alright, but after roughly 15 miles I started to struggle. Then as I hit miles 19 and 20, I was very much struggling and dragging. I then walked 2 more miles and then tapped out.
Where Dreams Die
To the right you’ll see the place where dreams die…so if you are ever out for a run please avoid said location. It was here that a few realizations came to me:
1) I was not, and would not be, physically ready for the 50 mile race, and, as such, would not be able to qualify for and run the 100 miler.
2) At some point during my months of training, running went from being something I enjoyed to something that was not only unenjoyable but somewhat of a chore.
3) I set out with a goal to run an ultra marathon. With the parameters I set (training time frame, etc.), I was not able to reach said goal. However, there is nothing wrong with failing to meet a goal; quitting would have been unacceptable.
Some might say that by dropping there, just a mere 3 weeks from the event, that I was quitting. However, they’d be wrong. I simply realized that I would not be ready for the event, and I’m not going to put myself at risk physically simply to try to do something that, quite frankly, if you’re not ready for could seriously injure you or cause you health issues. I ran hundreds of miles over the past few months, and that in and of itself is something to be proud of.
I do not have any set goals for 2010, other than to get back to actually enjoying running. I’ll likely run some 5Ks, hopefully a 10K, some trail runs, and maybe a half marathon or two. The important thing is that I’m still running, still healthy, and completely at peace with the decision I made. And I’ve got another huge milestone to prepare for this year…I’m getting married!
And so my friends and fellow runners, remember that sometimes knowing when to step away from something is much more beneficial than blinding running towards it. So until next time…
Run on Friends!
Symptoms:
Near 16 miles, we came upon a strip mall, and luckily I had enough sense to say that it was time to stop. I confusedly made my way into a supermarket. I stumbled around the aisles looking for a place to sit, but I couldn’t find any. I was afraid if I sat on the ground someone would call an ambulance and there would be a big scene…so I managed to stay standing. Alex bought me a bag of pretzels to get some salt in me, then I got a cup of hot chocolate which helped warm me up some. Still, all I wanted to do was sit and sleep.
So the night before Saturday’s run, I laid out my clothes for the morning’s run. As soon as I woke up and looked at the temperature, I changed what I had in mind. The temperature read 28 degrees…yes, 28 degrees. That’s purple on my weather forecaster. Insane. So I layered up with running tights pans, fleece, and gloves, and headed out the door. I ran with Team in Training at the Towpath so that I wouldn’t have to carry any water with me. When we started it was probably around 30 degrees…luckily, it was sunny and not windy at all. I quickly fell into a very comfortable rhythm, which, unfortunately, left the other runners behind so I ended up running on my own. As my plan is, I ran the first 5 miles before I took a break…although because of the water stops its was more like 5.5. The powergel I took gave me a nice boost…I decided to experiment with one that had caffeine in it. Think I’m going to make a permanent switch. The next water stop was at 8 miles…which was fine for me but miscalculated by .4 miles for those who were supposed to run 15.2. In any case, I was pretty much fine until after the next water stop. I got very hungry, which in turn made me very cranky. Miles 12-14 were very unhappy ones…I learned then that I really need to find a way to occupy my mind on these really long runs…especially as they get longer. Luckily, after a water stop near 14, my mood changed as I knew I was close to being done, and I finished comfortably. Nothing really bothered me the whole run, which was nice. After the run I came home, took an ice bath, and headed to PA for the day.
Last night I stopped at the running store and picked up new running shoes, a reflective vest for my night runs, and a belt to carry a water bottle on my back. So, I decided to try out the belt today.
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