Short story:
I finished my first 20 miler for this marathon today. It was hell. The end.
The rest of the story:
Yesterday I ran a lovely 10 miles. I ran slower than last week, knowing I’d be running 20 today. I finished in 1:40:09, with really negative splits, but without really pushing too hard.
Today, I went out planning to run pretty conservatively. I aimed to keep my miles between 10:30 and 10:40, despite a really hilly course. I knew by the end of mile 1 that this was going to be hard run. Why? The wind. There was a steady wind combined with wind gusts that would literally stop me in my tracks. At mile 5 I had trouble running DOWN a hill because the wind was pushing me backwards. At mile 6 I had to walk up a hill I’ve run many times before because I just didn’t have the energy to push up into the wind. There were a few decent miles in there, where I had the wind at my back, but most of the time I felt I was fighting to go forward. Finally, at mile 12, I decided I needed to get where there was less wind and ran back to my neighborhood. I managed another 3 miles there, but every time I’d turn and run west, I’d be heading into the wind. I just couldn’t take it any longer. I decided to quit and ran to my house.
I had a drink (I was a bit dehydrated because it was also pretty warm out) and decided to hit the treadmill for a mile or so. 56 minutes and 5 tortuous miles later, I finished my 20 miles.
I finished the first 15 in 2:39:04, which is a pace of 10:36. Right where I wanted to be. My next 5 were an 11:16 pace. I’m not so happy about that, but I was just so beaten up by the first 15 that I had very little push left in me. Overall pace for the 20 miles was 10:48. I actually took a really long ice bath today. Despite that, my feet are swollen and only fit comfortably in my “mom” sandals. We’ll see how my legs feel tomorrow.
Things that went right:
I finished.
My shoes (the feet numbing ones) were fine.
My sunglasses (that I’ve never run with before) were great and very helpful when the wind was blowing sand around.
Things that went wrong:
The combination of GU chomps and nuun went sour in my stomach around mile 11. This led to not fueling enough or hydrating enough for the last 4 miles outside. Not sure what to do about that.
I think I may be overestimating my abilities. More on that in a moment.
I nearly peed myself at mile 9 when I coughed. Nice.
Heat/sun definitely played a part in the exhaustion at the end.
As far as overestimating my abilities, I’ve chosen a plan that has back to back “long” runs. Supposedly this will make me stronger and give me the experience of running on really tired legs without having to run the distance of the marathon while in training. I also chose this plan because I liked the length of the long runs. I knew I’d be dropping one run a week and that I’d find it difficult to hit all of the miles, but I didn’t realize how hard I’d find the back to back runs. I think for the remainder of the training, I’ll be keeping the long run distances from the Intermediate 2 plan, but falling back to the shorter distance of the Intermediate 1 plan for all other miles. I think my body will thank me.
I am exhausted just reading about your 20. After 10. In those conditions. Wow. I'd be hard pressed to manage that. WTG!
Seriously, a 20 after a 10? And midweek? You are so awesome! Trust your body. You'll be fine!
i am glad you explained that 10 yesterday, 20 today thing. not that i think its wise..although i know a FEW people that can do that, and do it regularly in marathon training, but they are all sub 3 or just over 3 hour marathoners…I sorta understand the reason why, kinda…well not really..but dang girl, i have to say, i am not surprised…i am just glad you made it!!! REST REST REST!!
Nice job getting that 20 done – rough run! Sounds like you are making the right call dropping the shorter long run right before your long run.
I'm sorry I didn't get to see you at mile 5, thank you so much for volunteering. I had a little trouble getting water at one of the water stops, but not yours! Thank you!20 miles is a tough run and when you add to it the heat, and following a 10 miler!!! You really should be congratulating yourself on putting in the miles!! I have never had good experience with gu's/or shot blocks (have you tried saltine crackers?)Have you thought about running the longer distance first and then substituting the 2nd long run with a deep water pool run!! Seriously, if you have access to a pool, I think it could really help! It really will get your endurance up, without the pounding (not to mention the heat). I only run 3 days a week, the pool has not hindered me, only helped. I do the pool running on the other days, my legs really appreciate it on the runs! It's just a thought, I know most find it boring, but when you can still get outside, it's not so bad…I hope you find your solution so the runs are more enjoyable- and you ROCK that marathon! 😛
I don't buy the back-to-back long run plan. Confidence comes from doing well on your toughest runs. Plus, if you are holding back on a ten miler because you have a twenty miler the next day, something just doesn't jive with me.
I can't even imagine back to back long runs. That's just crazy!!! You are awesome! The wind here today was awful…and it was cold. I only had 4 on the schedule so I stuck with the treadmill. 🙂
30 miles in two days is impressive. What you're really training for is not a marathon, but the Goofy challenge!
I am floored about the 30 miles in 2 days. You rock!!!
I have been eyeing a training program that calls for back to back runs like you are doing…I think I will benefit from following your lead with your program.
ummmm well I quit after 1 mile today (because of pain) and wind so you are a total rock star!
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who has pee issues on long runs :)I LOVE the idea of running 2 longs runs in a row. Maybe I will do 8 then 18 the next day.. Hmmmm…Hugs to you for rockin it out.And yes you can chose mid-way if you want to switch to a 5K 🙂
I agree…that combo should make you strong! Keep playing with the food combination. Probably only take the chomps w/ water and alternate the drink intakes in between the stops for chomps. Great job.
You must be following Higdon I am guessing. I sometimes switch and do the 20 and then the 10 or whatever works and just try to get the miles in there somewhere. The wind sounds AWFUL. Good to you for doing it all!
Wowzer there lady…nice job on your twenty miler!! I just ran seven tonight and I am tired after that:) Way to be a champ and finish it through those crazy conditions!! Nice work!
I'm tired just reading that post. Nice job getting the runs done!
I've done back to back long runs, not by choice, but because I slacked off earlier in the week. No small feat! Way to go!
Your ability to keep moving on the 20 can only help your marathon run. I can't imagine how tired my legs would be after the back to back runs. Good thing you've found the room for adjustment with still some time before the race. Are you doing another 20 before Bob Potts?
good for you for still getting out there and getting it done! 20 after 10 wouldn't be easy I'm sure!!
I am going back to Hal's Intermediate 2 program for my fall marathon. I used it to train for Cleveland in '09 and that's where I BQed. It worked so well for me. My last two training cycles (for NYC and now for Boston) have been more "experimental." Verdict: Experiment FAIL. So back to Hal it is for another BQ attempt in the fall.I've done 2 20-milers and the second one was easier but slower (that's probably why it was easier). I am going to squeeze in one more and then it's taper time!20 milers aren't easy, ever. The very fact that you/I/we can even go out and run 20 miles at once is an amazing feat. Don't forget that!
Two thoughts from me1) I hope you figure out the nutrition because ending up with a bad stomach and not hydrating/fueling is not good.2) For context, I am injury-paranoid. Are you sure back to back bad runs is good for your body?
ugh – wind. I hate wind. And you could TOTALLY pull off the Goofy with this training plan 🙂
Awesome job on the 20. You got it done and you definitely built some physical and mental strength yesterday!Regarding the back-to-backs, I think they can offer a lot of benefit in terms of learning to run on tired legs, but if it's just taking so much out of you to the point that your "actual" long runs are suffering, it's just not worth it. Maybe you can throw one in every second or third week.
Wind is HORRIBLE!I get tired just reading about your long runs, let alone the fact that you do back to back longer runs! Keep up the great work, MCM!
Wow, girl – impressive miles and back to back runs. I kinda just do what my body feels anymore, I've found that my plan is what my body tells me it's ready for. Recovery is key for better runs the next time around and confidence is vital at the start line of a race. Just listen…and you'll be good!
The wind is beating us all up right now. I hate the wind! Congrats on getting it done and in such tough conditions and after a 10! You rock!
Holy crap, you ran 20 miles aftering banking 10? I can't even phatom that, seriously dude, uhh, dudette.. you amaze me!! I want to thank you for your advice for the 1/2 I appreciate it! All of it helped. I finished in 2:19, and am happy with that time considering I hit my wall at 10, I think mentally I should of trained to 13, I also so need to experiment with nunn, gels and goos to figure out what works for me, I could of used a boost at mile 10. It was hard to convince myself at mile 10 that I only had a5k left. I will applaud myself for hydrating and eating well. Nevertheless, I have another 1/2 in 3 weeks that I plan on taking 4 minutes off my time – really? I'm that ballsy!! Ok, ENOUGH about me, you rock!