I got started around 6:30am. The path I chose dead ended at 7.5 miles so to go out and back I needed to add a little more to the front end. I started the run with an extra loop around the neighborhood, so I wouldn't have to run right up to my front door step on the return, but would finish farther out with a nice walk to cool down. I estimated it would take me about 3 hours to finish. I am working on staying in a specific heart rate zone and I need to run about 11 minute miles to stay in that zone.
On mile three, I encountered some sprinklers watering the sidewalk, so I had to detour or get wet. I did not want wet feet this early and decided to run on the grass in between the curb and the sidewalk. This section runs alongside a pretty busy road, so I did not want to run in the road. I wish I had, the grass was very uneven and I ended up tripping and started to fall. I caught myself with my hands, just in the knick of time, but scraped up the palms of my hand. It shook me up a little but I was lucky it wasn't worse.
At mile six I really wanted to walk, I felt like I had been running a long time and was not as far as I wanted to be. I passed 4 runners who were on their way back from the turnaround and felt like the whole world of runners was going to be done before me. I was having quite a pity party. I pushed through it and kept running. I was getting into a very good part in my book The Confession
I was listening to on my ipod. I found myself getting a little teary in a few parts which was weird and good as it helped to keep my mind off of how many miles I still had to run.I wore my fuel belt and had three bottles filled with orange G2, one with water and some cherry Honey Stingers
in the pouch. I have found that drinking G2 during longer runs prevents me from getting headaches after running. It has been a life saver! I drank some G2 at miles 4 and 6 and then ate 5 honey stingers and some water at mile 9. I wanted to stay fueled, but I don't seem to be able to drink too much on runs, unless it is very hot. I ended up drinking three 8 oz bottles in total.I was finally on my way back after the turnaround and hit another wall at mile 12. I so wanted to walk again, but how did I expect to run 26.2 if I couldn't even run 16? I had a few conversations with myself about how this challenge is as much mental as physical. I knew I would regret it later if I stopped, so I didn't. I though about my expectations for myself and I don't want to just do it, I want to do it well. I questioned my ability to do that. Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Should I be happy with just finishing it? I haven't made up my mind about that yet.
I was so sore and tired at the end of this run. The last mile felt like three miles. My thighs were screaming at me to stop, especially my left one. I was relieved when it was over. It was hard to walk normally when I was done. I did manage to walk out some of the stiffness, but I wasn't sure what would happen when I stopped moving.
I took an epsom salt bath once I got home and realized my fuel belt had rubbed my skin raw on my stomach. That was lovely...at least it didn't feel bad during, just when the water hit it.
Afterwards, wishing I had a compression body suit, I put on my compression socks, they felt sooo good!
My thighs have never hurt so much, but I have never run 16 miles before either. The pain I feel is my legs getting stronger, because I have to work up to 10 more miles byJanuary 9th.
I am thankful that this weekend's run is only 8 miles. I need the rest to be ready for 18 miles the week after. So the score after this weekend is Brain 1 - Body 0.
Here are the stats:
Split | Time | Distance | Avg Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 02:57:21 | 16.01 | 11:04 |
| 1 | 00:11:35 | 1.00 | 11:35 |
| 2 | 00:10:54 | 1.00 | 10:54 |
| 3 | 00:10:50 | 1.00 | 10:50 |
| 4 | 00:10:40 | 1.00 | 10:40 |
| 5 | 00:10:32 | 1.00 | 10:32 |
| 6 | 00:10:38 | 1.00 | 10:38 |
| 7 | 00:10:29 | 1.00 | 10:29 |
| 8 | 00:11:12 | 1.00 | 11:12 |
| 9 | 00:11:15 | 1.00 | 11:15 |
| 10 | 00:11:18 | 1.00 | 11:18 |
| 11 | 00:11:25 | 1.00 | 11:25 |
| 12 | 00:11:28 | 1.00 | 11:28 |
| 13 | 00:10:51 | 1.00 | 10:51 |
| 14 | 00:11:02 | 1.00 | 11:02 |
| 15 | 00:11:20 | 1.00 | 11:20 |
| 16 | 00:11:32 | 1.00 | 11:32 |
| 17 | 00:00:11 | 0.01 | 17:36 |
16 miles is such a huge accomplishment (I've never done it), congratulations! I look forward to following your training through the winter.
ReplyDeleteGreat run! You are much stronger than I am...I would have given in and walked. I've never run more than 13.1 miles, so it's really fun to read about your progress as you get to these long runs.
ReplyDeletegreat job on your run!
ReplyDeleteWay to close out your run! I can't even imagine what the salt felt like on your rub marks. BLEH!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're almost there!