Confession: I havent' been running.
Photo: Google images, monkeywithahalo.com
Well, technically I've been running. Let me explain. Ever since the Half Marathon I was in a slump. Here's a recap of the past month:
Chicago Half: Wee! I did it! Hooray!
Week 2: 15 miles. Ran 2 walked 13. LONG but did it. Still a success.
Week 3: 16 miles. Ran 2, sat on a park bench, cried like a baby, ran 5 more. Cried and went home.
Week 4: 18 miles. Good meal, stayed in, hydrated all week. Then, nothing.
BUT THAT ALL CHANGED LAST NIGHT!
After work I had one mission and one mission only. Do a long run. I had 18 pending from the weekend hanging over my head.
Thanks to Twitter people I had a few tips that helped. Instead of thinking it as 18 I thought of it in batches of smaller miles in clumps. I didn't push myself like I normally do and forced myself to be ok with stopping, walking, lots of water breaks, and a slow steady pace.
I also had some new music. I escaped to Milwaukee Irish Fest this weekend and came back with a million new songs on my iPod. But turns out I only needed one. I must have listened to Gaelic Storm's cover of Cecilia (Simon & Garfunkel) 40 times, no joke. But as crazy as that is it totally worked and got me up and running.
It was painful. During my non-long-run month I started getting that dreaded IT Band pain that I've heard about so many times. After emailing my trainer Amy MY KNEE HURTS! AHHHHHH!!!! We worked out some kinks and now me and the foam roller are arch enemies (its a love/hate thing).
So that hurt. But I was in good spirits so although every time I started up running again I wobbled around worse than when I was at Irish Fest, I did it. 14 miles running with stops, and a long 4 mile walk home. Luckily my vacation revived my stubborness long enough to avoid taking the bus.
I realized a couple of things out there (4.5 bloody hours).
1. I'm back.
2. In the words of Mick Jagger, "It's ok to let yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back."
3. Don't ever, ever ever run a long run in new shoes.
4. There's a reason runners run long runs on weekends. Tomorrow is going to be painful. I hope my coworkers don't mind wheeling me around in my chair tomorrow.
5. Starbucks, we have a date tomorrow.
4 Comments
Ana Fernatt said:
I need a "Revenge Body" a la the Kardashians every other week...the marathon and I are going to be getting reaquainted methinks. My silly knee better get with this plan.
Dana Moran said:
I just started physical therapy, and I too would describe my relationship with the dreaded foam roller as love/hate. Or maybe just OW OW OW OW ahhh OW OW OW OW.
Phaedra said:
Hi Connie,
So I've been a reader of your blog, and I love it, especially since I'm training for my first marathon to. I do have a question about your training that may help you handle your long runs better. Have you thought about having a taper week? This is where you step down your long run about every 3 or 4 weeks. Also, have you thought about adding a 4th run to your week that is middle distance? Of course I'm basing all my information on your training off the calendar on this blog, so maybe you do something different already. But an 18 mile run can be really hard on your body if during the rest of the week you are only doing a 2 mile and a 3 mile run. Your body is just not getting used to the pounding.
Of course, I am a first time marathoner (or will be on 10/10/10) so take my perspective for what it's worth. But I can refer you to the sources where I picked up my information if you are interested.
I just don't want to come here one day and read that you have an injury and can't run the marathon after all. That would really suck. I'm rooting for you.
Steph Yiu said:
Connie, you are inspiring and amazing!
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