I am in my bed right now icing my legs as I write this. I ran 18 miles today!! Can you believe it? I can’t, but I did it!
My intention before going out on a run today was to complete 14 miles. My goal was to learn how to run with the small water bottle (I bought this week) and take the “gu” while running. Mission accomplished. It look a little getting use to the weight held in my hand during my run – since I am used to running hands-free.
My plan was to run the same route as I went out last week which brought me to 13.77 miles, but add another small loop to bring up to 14. I went out on my run with a little delay this morning knowing I’d have to be out for about 2 hours. It’s not that I don’t want to run, however just knowing how much time training takes is something I have to get use to. Even when I went out last night with some friends, I had to be responsible and leave earlier than I would have liked to so I could get up at a reasonable time this morning to run.
I forgot to add I had originally signed up for a Jingle Bell race today in Somerville, however decided to cancel last-minute when I felt I had too much going on this weekend (I had to work Saturday and have a final presentation for class due tomorrow) The race was also a 5k and I am pretty much out of commission for a couple of days after race because I don’t know how to slow down my pace on 5ks. I run these races all out. I also wanted to get in a long run before the holidays because when I go to CT this weekend I am not sure how much running I will really get in. I had to really justify it to myself that it was OK not to run this race, since I hate canceling things I sign up for. Also I knew a few people running the race and I hear it is really fun – I guess every year it gets sold old months in advance. On a positive note, I feel good I got a long run in though to make up for it.
In terms of my 18 miles, I felt pretty happy about the run. I’m not sure if it was because it was so cold out that my body almost became numb and I didn’t even think about how I felt until my body de-frosted from my hot shower.
How did it go from 14 to 18 miles you ask? Well there was a point in my run that I could have turned left and finish the loop I took last week or continue to go straight and see where it led me. I have to be honest, I didn’t really know where I was going, but I figure if I keep following the Charles river, I couldn’t really get lost. That is the good thing about training where I live. So I kept going as far as I could and when I got home I mapped my run – it came out to 18 miles and I logged a time of about 2 hours 26 minutes. My run included a long loop around the Charles, a smaller loop around the Charles, and a last loop around Bentley University.
Funny thoughts go through your head as you run long distances. Everything from what I needed to do on my “to do” list today to reminiscing about college to realizing I am 26 this year and will be running 26.2 miles at this age.
Immediately after the run I felt pretty good and proud of myself for finishing. I excitedly shared my accomplishment with my roommate when I got home and called my dad to let him know of the mileage I logged. Even though my body felt the effects shortly after (about an hour later), I realized its better to move around a bit after long runs, rather than lying around and letting your muscles tighten up.
One nice long run under my belt. A total of 39 miles this week (way more than my 28 planned). It definitely built up my confidence I needed for long distances. My body is begging for break day or a low-key cross-training day tomorrow. My legs and joints are starting to feel the effects of the long run. My toe nail feels like it’s about to fall off (sorry, too much information)! But overall I am very proud of proving to myself that I can do it.
