Twenty Two
I. Am. Tired. But its a good kind of tired. Its the tired that happens after running twenty-two miles (heck, that’s only 4.2 miles less than a full marathon, and it didn’t cost me a dime). The plus was not happening, but at least the base did.
Aren’t these supposed to be getting easier?
Actually, to be honest, I guess they are getting easier. They’re just far from being easy. The first 15 miles or so today were pretty fluid. By 17 I was getting tired, and my toes were getting sore. By 20.5, I was no longer having much of any fun on this run. But when I look back at my previous long runs ( 19 and 20 ) each one is a little better than the one before it was. Will it be good enough for the marathon (heck, or for my 30K next weekend)? Your guess is as good as mine right now. Probably better.
[ to be continued ]
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Jan 8th 2005
4:32 PM
I think it’s safe to say it’s “good enough” but that depends on your goals. Those runs are much more than you did last year, for instance, and they are certainly teaching you what it feels like to run those kinds of distances.
What kinds of things were getting you are the end? Just general tiredness? Did you eat and drink enough during the run and be careful to go slow enough?
Jan 8th 2005
6:58 PM
WTG on the run — that’s great that you were able to finish the planned run and not bag when it stopped being fun. I know that feeling all too well! You’ll do great in both your upcoming races!
Jan 8th 2005
7:22 PM
congratulations on completing the distance, richard! awesome, awesome jog. er…job. get some rest, relax, refuel and revel in the completion of the run!
Jan 8th 2005
9:06 PM
You SOUND tired!! But way to go, Richard. 22 miles…wow. And you are building on recent longer runs. I think you’ll be just fine:)
Jan 9th 2005
9:02 PM
22 miles?!? I’d. Be. Dead. You are a star. - Mia
Jan 9th 2005
10:20 PM
Congrats on 22! Nice work. Though the effects of this run probably won’t kick in until after your 30K this weekend, the combination of this run and your 30K race will definitely deliver a big ol’ boost of fitness come the end of this month. Just in time to taper off! (I’m counting on that same boost from a long run this week and a race this weekend as well…)
I didn’t realize until reading some of the comments that people write to you that, 1) there are a lot of runners writing blogs out there, and 2) a lot of those runners look to you as a role model. Kudos to you for that!
Rock on, Richard!
Meghan
PS. Hope your recovery from 22 is going well! Looking forward to the whole report when you have the energy to post it!
Jan 9th 2005
10:45 PM
I am sure your training has been more than “good enough”. It sounds like you are doing an awesome job. Thanks for the motivation!
Jan 10th 2005
2:46 PM
“…I guess they are getting easier. They’re just far from being easy.” That’s probably true, but 22 miles? That ain’t ever easy! Four miles short of a marathon is a long hard run in any book. Good job Richard. Be gentle on yourself this week.
Jan 11th 2005
7:47 AM
Wow. Just plain WOW.
You are going to kick some major marathon butt.
And the 30K? Ha. You will laugh in the face of the 30K.
Smooth and strong!
Jan 11th 2005
11:50 AM
Quit your whining Richard - it was ONLY 20+ miles!
haha! Joking of course. Nice going. It is all about building right? You have to get the body used to the mile after mile pounding so it knows what to expect on race days. Of course, I know you know that so this comment is all about encouragement. In that vein, keep going. You are doing exceedingly well and improving.
Rock n’ roll Mr. Stanford.