Longest Distance Run Ever
…for me anyway. Yesterday I decided that my chest injury was controlling me too much and even if I had some discomfort I just had to keep training. My marathon is coming up pretty soon (two months!) and now was not the time to decrease my running.
The schedule said it was time for me to run 15 miles…which, in case you didn’t know, is a looooong ways. I did not freak out. I was the model child for calmness. If I had been running a lot lately I would’ve felt more prepared and it wouldn’t have been a deal, but the last run I did was a 4 miler, which I didn’t find easy. Before that, it was 2-3 weeks since I had run, because my injury was holding me back. So to tackle 15 was a bit of a mental challenge. But I knew I could do it.
I got up and ate a piece of cinnamon toast and a bite of banana. After that I laced up my shoes and headed out the door. My amazing Mom came with me (on the bike) and got her own workout done the same time as me.
As soon as I got outside I realized there was a problem. My Nike+ chip (this is what I use to track my runs and see how far I’ve run) had lived a long, full life and had died. Great. I would have to guess the distance. At that moment, I considered saving for a Garmin and abandoning my life-long commitment to Nike.
The first 3 miles were peachy. But then I started getting sharp, painful running cramps. I am never again eating food right before I work out! Normally, I try to have at least 1 hour to digest, but yesterday I didn’t have time. Those cramps stuck with me for quite a few miles. I ended up stopping to do some stretches which helped a little bit.
I felt really great for a while, but then my troubles came back around mile 6 when I recognized I didn’t put Vaseline between my toes. I felt big blisters forming on my feet. Oh dear. I felt much better when “Hot Air Balloon” by Owl City came through my ear buds. Haha, have to say…music can get me through anything.
It was awesome having my Mom biking beside me, she handed me my water and my sports gels…took my sports jacket when I got hot, and gave me encouragement when I needed it. Best coach ever! She made my run fun.
As far as distance goes, turns out I’m a pretty good guesser. We clocked out the distance in our vehicle and I ran precisely 14.76 miles. Of course, because I can tend to be nit-picky I ran on the treadmill a grand total of .24 of a mile as soon as I got inside the house.
Next time:
- apply Vaseline to toes to prevent rubbing
- don’t wear cotton yoga pants. Comfy, but they don’t wick moisture.
- eat breakfast an hour earlier
I did enjoy my run…I like coming out victorious in challenging situations. Have to say, I wasn’t proud of myself for walking more than I ever do, but I don’t feel bad about it, because…man, I haven’t been training for a while.
Once I got back, I fueled up with Vega Protein Powder (amazing stuff!) and organic rice milk and filled the bathtub up with cold water. The only way I can walk the next day after a hard, double digit run is to have an ice-cold bath (or just do a lot of icing). It totally works for me! It’s very cold though. Did I say it was cold? But I had Amy’s Vegan Organic Lentil Soup and hot chocolate for lunch, so that warmed me up. Being chilled to the bone is nothing compared to knowing that I ran the longest distance I ever have. So I’m happy.
In other news:
I’ve been nominated for an award by WokInTime, which totally blessed my heart. Thanks so much!
You’re supposed to share 7 things about myself along with this so…
1. I could eat pancakes every day.
2. I am songwriter and music is pretty much my life
3. I am desperately afraid of needles and shots.
4. Off pitch singing drives me nuts
5. I think doodling is one of the funnest things to do
6. I wish that I could surf
7. I’m very goal oriented/list-a-maniac/driven person
And I’m nominating…
2. Fitnessista
4. Rawxy
Love your blogs! You all do a beautiful job of photos, recipes, content, and making a healthy life beautiful!
To the new recipients of this award, please forward the love to five (you can do as many as you like) of your favourite bloggers as well as share 7 juicy tidbits about yourself. Have fun!
Do you walk when you do long-distance running? Are you an online shopper or do you prefer shopping “in person”?
Category: Fitness, Running | Tags: 15 mile run, 15 miles, blog award, how to run 15 miles, training for a marathon, training runs for a marathon 6 comments »
Aww aww aww thank you! You are SUCH a sweetie! And I LOL-ed at the “which if you didn’t know, is a long ways” part. As someone who only normally covers like 1/2 that distance (and thinks THAT is a long distance), I applaud you!!! It definitely sounds like a long way to me!
That’s freaking awesome – You should be so proud of yourself. I’m pretty much a self-proclaimed hater of anything “Run-ish” :) I’ve decided that I’m just to mental (not in the crazy way, but the over thinker way, ha) to be a runner. So, I totally admire anyone who can do it. And you, my dear, killed it!
Also, thank you so much for the kind words! Always flattering :)
CCK~ You’re welcome! Haha, no…I still think 7 miles is a long ways…
Callie~ Thanks girlfriend! Yah, I think after I run this marathon I’m not going to run quite as much. It just takes so much time (and mental strength, lol)!
Rockstar! I have my half marathon coming up in two weeks, I feel the long runs right now.
I love smoothies and can’t wait to try your recipe! You have a great blog here- so I am passing on more awards- just letting you know that I’m sending more people your way. See the details here- http://homestyleworldcook.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-awards.html.
Looking forward to seeing more great food!
Clarkie~ You go girlie! Tell me how it goes!
Sarah~ Thank you so much, hun! I appreciate it so much…