Today I ran my last 20 mile run of this training cycle. Woohoo! Unfortunately, that’s Woohoo, it’s done, not Woohoo it went great. Sigh. Actually, the first 15 miles were great. I ran to a friend’s house and then we ran the first 10 together. It was warm and the route was a bit hilly, but I really enjoyed having someone to talk to. I think I may have run a few of the miles a bit too fast, but I was feeling pretty good when I got back to my house at about the 10.5 mile point. After a quick refill of my fuel belt, I headed out for another 10ish miles. I may have run the first four of that set a bit fast, but I was feeling pretty good, despite the sunny, no shade route and the mid-60s weather. I was thinking I was going to completely rock the second 10 miles and actually get in more than 20.
Bring on the taper!
Then I felt it. The lovely intestinal gurgle that means nothing good is going to happen in the near future. I managed to keep running for about another quarter of a mile towards home, but quickly realized that a) I needed to find a bathroom ASAP and b) I’d better walk. Thankfully, I was near a Whole Foods. It was all I could do to walk calmly up their stairs, past all the people having lunch in the cafe, and all the way to the back of the store. I’ve never been so happy to see a bathroom in my life. Thankfully, this solved the belly issues, but by the time I was done, my legs had completely tightened up. I could barely walk and I still had 4.4 miles of running to go.
I managed to start running again, but it was more like a shuffle. I could not get my legs moving in any sort of reasonable manner. I was also getting really hot and drained and finally, when I ran out of nuun at the 18.5 mile point, I gave in. I headed into the house and was not going to run anymore. But, I’m nothing if not stubborn, so I hit the treadmill and finished the last 1.5 in a lousy 18 minutes. Oddly, by the 1.3 mile point, I actually thought I might be able to keep running for longer, but I decided it was time to just be done with it. So, 20 miles in 3:37:44 minutes, which is a 10:53 average pace.
Splits:
Half mile on the way to friend’s house: 5:03
Mile 1: 11:34 (majorly long light)
Mile 2: 10:17
Mile 3: 10:09 (nuun)
Mile 4: 10:12
Mile 5: 10:42 (nuun + hill)
Mile 6: 10:55 (GU)
Mile 7: 10:13 (nuun)
Mile 8: 10:28
Mile 9: 10:37 (nuun)
Mile 10: 11:29 (same long light as in mile 1)
Stopped for potty break and GU
Mile 11: 10:19
Mile 12: 10:18
Mile 13: 10:20 (nuun)
Mile 14: 10:19
Mile 15: 10:38 (nuun)
Mile 16: 12:49 (Gu + lots of walking, not included is long stop at WF)
Mile 17: 11:49
Mile 18: 11:29
Inside for more nuun, decided to hit treadmill.
Last 1.5 miles: 18:00 (12 min/mi pace)
After my not so impressive run, I chugged a glass of chocolate milk and then headed upstairs. I cranked the heater in the bathroom, put on a warm, dry fleece, and climbed in the tub. I managed to tolerate a 20 minute cold water bath, while reading a trash novel. My legs are tired and my feet are sore (I couldn’t even tolerate socks after the run), but I feel better than I have a right to. I weighed myself after the bath and despite drinking 30+ ounces of nuun, at least 16 ounces of water, and 12 ounces of chocolate milk, I’d lost 1.5 pounds. Hmm…
So, now what? Well, taper obviously, but I’m about four days ahead of my plan. I may add a couple of miles to next week’s 12 mile “long” run, since it too will be ahead. I’m also planning on focusing on intensity. Two of my four runs for the next 2.5 weeks will be either speedwork or hills. I’ll also be praying for hot weather for the next month, followed by a really cool marathon day. Hey, if you’re gonna ask, might as well ask big.
Category: running
Nice job getting the 20 miles in, even with the stomach issues! I'm also crossing my fingers for cooler temps next month – upper 50s, lower 60s sounds like great temps to run a half marathon (or marathon) in!
Wow, finishing the last bit of a 20 miler on the treadmill? That is hardcore! Way to push through and get the miles done. Enjoy the taper!I am pretty sure I am doing the mini marathon in Madison again this year . . . it is the same weekend as a race I usually run here, but I just loved that Madison race. 🙂
You were determined to get the 20 done and you did it! Especially admire the fact that you finished on the treadmill- I've tried before and it is HARD! Enjoy taper time!
Great job. I will ahve ot read this after my last 20 miler.
20 miles is a big deal. Nice job getting the miles done! Now it's time to enjoy the taper 🙂
Way to tough it out! I hope the taper goes well and here's to bathrooms when you need em!
You really dominated the 20 miles! Being able to get through all of the problems of the run should giv you great confidence to be able to push through anything race day throws at you. Hooray taper!!!
Ugh! That last part sounds no fun! Good for you for finishing the whole 20. Hope you do have cool temps for your marathon!
Awesome job on the 20 miles and finishing up on the treadmill!
great job finishing them! Way to persevere! I hope the weather works out for you!
Anytime someone finishes 20 miles, it's impressive in my book. Well done.BRING ON THE TAPER!!
Congrats on your last 20-miler! Sounds like it was a toughie, but at least you got it done. I hope the cold bath helps with recovery. HAPPY TAPER!
You make 20 sound like a piece of cake! Yay for Whole Foods!
I hate those too fast miles that lead to ouch-pain-agony later. But you finished it! Way to go! Enjoy your taper. Whooot!
My last long run before taper was a really tough one…congrats on a great job.Taper is a great word.
hoping it'll be your perfect running temps for the race! nice work despite the tummy issue. Woohoo to getting it done!!
Good job on getting it done. No matter what:). You're getting close now!
wow. I can't even IMAGINE running that long 🙂 You rock.
Nice job on getting the 20-miler done. I think I would have wanted to call it quits for good once reaching home at 18.5… but then I am stubborn too and probably would have wanted to kick out the last 1.5 on the treadmill as well!
Way to get that 20 miler done!! Someday I will be able to post that I actually ran 20 miles…until then I will be sending congrats your way:)What marathon are you running in? Also, where do you live? Is it ND? I went to your profile but it doesn't say where you are from. Maybe sometime in the future we could run a half or a full marathon together….if you live in a nearby state:) Enjoy your taper!!
I have that stomach issue "oh my God, I need a bathroom now" on almost every run, but for some reason it doesn't happen on race day – THANK GOD! You should be proud of yourself for not throwing in the towel, kudos!!! Here's to great weather for your race!
Yay for you!I'd love someone to actually spell out [well explain] a proper taper. I absolutely SUCK at the taper part.
Congratulations! A well-earned taper at that.
That's pretty damn incredible that you went inside and banged out that 1.5 on the treadmill. Good for you. Not sure that I could have done it.
Hey, you got it done and, mentally, that's important. Now, enjoy the taper!
Great job finishing a tough 20 miler! I probably would've been tempted to toss in the towel after the bathroom break.Enjoy the taper!
Wow you really fought for those miles. Way to stick in there.
Way to duke it out. I don't know if fake sugars upset your tummy, but I can't drink nuun b/c of the fake sugar. Makes my tummy gurgle on the spot. Enjoy the taper!!
Unbelievable! YOu are certainly determined…wow!!
maybe it didn't feel great but you still did it! i'm pretty sure most people would just have quit. way to stick it out. it will pay off at your marathon! so exciting! congrats!
Nice job finishing despite the issues! Enjoy your taper!
that is awesome!!! you are SO inspiring! your timing is great! i am aiming for that timing while i'm "spring training". are you going to run the MCM this fall?