I've been awfully lucky to get through thirteen weeks of marathon training without injury and without missing a single long run mile- until today. I'm still injury free, but my 20 miler did not quite happen.
I hoped that missing a few runs because of the heat this week would put me at an advantage: nice fresh legs, plenty of energy. Unfortunately it seems to have worked against me instead. Things started off fine and the first 10 miles went well. By mile 12 my legs were already getting stiff and sore. Weird, since 12 miles is no big deal for me at this point. I pretty much battled my way through the next several miles, with some walking breaks. I think I might have done better with more nutrition, but my Shot Bloks weren't sitting well and I hardly ate any. Time to try some gels instead. Hitting the 20 mile mark was very important to me today, but there was no point in killing myself to get there. I'm not sure I could have completed the last two miles without walking much of them. So, I called it quits at 17.5 miles. Not shabby, but also not 20 miles. My legs feel as if they've taken a beating.
On one hand, I'm very disappointed. Hitting 20 miles would have been great for my training and even better for my confidence. I'll now worry that I'm not capable of marathon distance, or of the pace I've been planning on.
On the other hand, I'm well aware that I could use a reality check. Less than one percent of people run a marathon. The fact that I'm boo-hooing over finishing 17.5 miles instead of 20 is kind of silly. Plus, I probably got most of the physical benefit today that a 20-miler would have given me, as far as level of effort, use of glycogen, time spent running, etc. Plenty of marathons have been run without 20 mile training runs. Some runners never train that long (though most Americans do, I think). And- I have a chance to try again in two weeks. I just have to be smart about approaching the next 20-miler. It's my last long run before my taper, and an important one.
I'm picking myself up, brushing myself off, and moving on. There's no point in freaking out. Next week is a new training week, and I'm gonna rock it.
Perfect attitude, and a feeling I KNOW way too well! One article I read in Runner's World said that another good way to train towards the end is to do a 2 hour one week, a 2 1/2 the next, 3 the next, then 2 1/2, 2.... so up and down like that. He is a coach and said you never need to worry about miles, just go for a 3 hour run. I like that train of thought as well!
ReplyDeleteHey pretty girl,
ReplyDeleteYou have the bestest attitude and I think 17.5 miles is amazing and you will totally hit 20 miles next week....I betcha where the weather was to hot and stuff like you said it prob worked against you not being able to run for a few weeks and caused your legs to cramp! I think you are uber awesmoe with the running and that you will totally rock it next week and you will be great at your marathon
xoxo
Summer