Let’s cut right to the chase. Last Saturday I set out to run my longest distance of 18 miles. I’ve been scared of this week since marathon training started. Luckily I was able to run with a friend that is training for NYC. We run at the same pace so I wasn’t worried about holding her back. Our plan was to run at 11:30 pace.
Well, we felt great and ended up running the first 9 miles faster then planned. In fact I will say that I felt amazing for the first 12 miles. We stopped at mile 12 to refill our water bottles (I switched to gatorade) and use the bathroom. We probably stopped for 5 miles. Let me say when it was time to start running again I immediately felt different. It was hard to get into a groove and my legs felt heavy. Not a good sign when you still have 6 miles to go!
Our plan was to run 3 miles out and turn around. Let’s just say that was the longest 3 miles of my life! At mile 15 we walked for probably quarter of a mile. My calves were cramping bad and the ball of my left foot started to hurt. We quickly realized that it hurt more to walk so we powered forward. We would run and take short walk breaks here and there.
I think that if we started at our planned pace of 11:30 the last 6 miles probably wouldn't have been as hard (although I know it wouldn't have been easy). If my calves weren't cramping I honestly felt like I could have kept running. I don't know what my problem is. It was warm & humid and I was sweating a lot. I drank water for the first 12 miles and Gatorade for the last 6. I ate a cliff shot blok every 2 miles. Do you think the cramping is salt issues? I purchased a pair of ZENSAH compression sleeves that I plan to wear this weekend. THOUGHTS?
- Mile 1 - 11:09
- Mile 2 - 11:17
- Mile 3 - 11:10
- Mile 4 - 10:59
- Mile 5 - 11:09
- Mile 6 - 11:02
- Mile 7 - 11:03
- Mile 8 - 11:30
- Mile 9 - 11:11
- Mile 10 - 11:25
- Mile 11 - 11:24
- Mile 12 - 11:35
- Mile 13 - 13:00
- Mile 14 - 13:20
- Mile 15 - 12:57
- Mile 16 - 14:33
- Mile 17 – 13:00
- Mile 18 - 11:43
- Total Time: 3 hours 32 minutes Pace: 11:45
I ONLY have 10 miles scheduled for tomorrow!! I find it comical that I feel like a 10 miler is an ‘short’ run! Next Saturday is the big 20 miler….
I honestly think it's because you stopped for 5 minutes. Maybe next time you should try to keep moving and then walk a little warm up before you start running again?
ReplyDeletecongratulations! HUGE accomplishment! Just a few weeks left til the big day! I have never dealt with cramping before and neither has Ryan. I don't know if it's from salt, It could be a combo of the 5 minute stop and the fastest pace in the beginning too. Once you get tired things start to get harder for sure. Can;t believe your 20 miler is already next weekend! so exciting!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! That's great! Isn't it funny that 10 miles is a short run? Love it!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Great job! I bet it's 'cause you started out faster. The more I've been reading about long distance, the more I'm learning slower is better for long training runs. Make your short runs faster and then leave it all on the pavement in the race. :) Have a great 10 this weekend.
ReplyDeleteNice job! I'll bet it's a combo of salt and the faster starting pace. Good luck with the 20! Almost there!
ReplyDeleteGirlie - OF COURSE you did it! I have no doubt that you can and will hit all your mileage! Will I see you at the half?
ReplyDeleteHoly Shiz, you did great! I am not a runner, so I have no idea, but you finished and that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!!