This weekend was the first run that I really consider a Long
Run – 13 miles. I’m now reaching the
point where all of the long runs leading up to the marathon will each be longer
than a half marathon but not yet a whole marathon. Each long run will be a new distance
achievement. I’ve done 13 miles 3 times
now, but anything 14 and beyond is all brand new. This is both exciting and scary. This is where the rubber meets the road – Do
I have the mental strength to stick to the plan? Will my body accept the new challenges
without injury? Will the weather
cooperate and stay at temperatures that I can mostly tolerate?
I’m following a Jeff Galloway run/walk plan and I am so
excited to be able to complete longer distances without pain or debilitating
fatigue. Having started running later in
life, mid 50’s, speed isn’t that important to me, finishing is. I currently finish most races with a between
11 and 12 minute mile pace doing the whole thing in 1 minute increments. I’m sure some faster, younger folks can’t
understand doing this but for me, it is great.
I did my first half marathon in May using this method and came in first
in my age group and some of the other people who placed behind me ran the whole
way. So, I have my whole plan laid out
between now and a few weeks after the Chicago Marathon. I’m surprised at how much I like having a
solid plan to follow. It makes decisions
so much easier. Is today a run day? No, go do something else. Yes, do what it says on the plan. There’s room for a little change up and of
course, choosing the route and surface to run on is something not on the plan.
The hardest thing about sticking to the plan is all the
other runs I would like to do. When my
running group is doing a 4 miles run on a trail but I need to do 10 on
pavement, I have to skip the group run.
I miss the camaraderie of the group but I REALLY want to complete the
Chicago Marathon. There will be plenty of
opportunities to run with the group later.
So how did my 13.5 miles go this weekend? Well, compared to my awful Thursday night 5
mile run, it was great. The weather in
Chicagoland has been fantastic for running.
Sunday morning I got up at 5:50 AM, had a cup of tea, fed the cats, ate
a little breakfast and was out the door by 6:50 AM. The running group had a long run going at
Waterfall Glen but I really want to do a lot of my training on the pavement. I need to keep my legs and joints prepped for
the brutality of running 5 to 6 hours on pavement. So out the door I went for a 13 mile run
through and around my neighborhood. The air was really still but it was
relatively cool. It is definitely quiet
around here on Sunday mornings; I think I saw half a dozen cars on the entire
run. There were a lot of folks out
walking their dogs, and I saw a cat chase a rabbit across a yard, but that was
about it. At mile 10, I stopped back at
the house, refilled my water bottles and ate half a granola bar. Peter was reading the paper and I told him I
would be back in another 35 minutes or so, and out I went. All in all it was a good run. My overall pace was 12:20 including a bunch
of walking at the beginning before warming up.
I’m never going to set land speed records but I was not wiped out for
the rest of the day and my legs were sore but no sharp pains.
There was one major learning take away from this Sunday’s
run. Body Glide MUST be put on some
additional places. Ouch, ouch,
ouch. My sports bra definitely rubbed in
some new areas!!!
This week is a step down week and my Sunday run is only 4
miles and I get to run it with the group at the Arboretum. A total treat! July 14th is the big 15 mile
run. That will seem like quite an
accomplishment. I hope your training is
going well. What are your next big
milestones?
