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Dear friends,
When you see me in the next few days and you (being supportive) ask me about my long run this weekend (19 miles!) and I nonchalantly reply that it was great, do not believe me. This is hard, really hard. Every long run gets a little worse and a little better. It's two steps forward and one step back. For example, this evening's run. First of all I was feeling a little hormonal today and and kept putting off the inevitable so I didn't even get started until about 6:30 pm. For the first eight miles or so that makes for a lovely run, especially tonight. I watched the sun set through the storm clouds and ran under the evening rainbow, nice, right? The problem is, then it gets dark. I don't mind running in the dark with the exception of three things, first the City of Wichita is not so great with sidewalks. There are four miles spread out along my long run route during which I must run in the road. There is ,of course, no shoulder. Three of the four miles are later in the run and thus tonight, in the dark. Scary. Second, the City of Wichita does not maintain the sidewalks they have which would not be such a big deal if it weren't for the third thing. The complete lack of streetlights in any useful place. These things mean that when I am a slug and put my run off until it is dark I spend a lot of time trying not to get hit by cars or fall into holes. This evening during mile 13 I completely tripped over an uneven sidewalk I could not see on this moonless evening and fell all the way down. I have awesome scrapes all over to prove it. Next- can anyone tell me why energy bars have to be so flipping hard to chew that they actually cause cramps in my jaw, The one I ate during mile 14 caused more pain in my jaw than the cramps in my calves at the end of the run. I don't need anymore pain than I am already causing myself, thank you very much. By the time I get to mile 16 it takes all I have to keep putting one foot in front of the other in the prescribed rhythm. There is, however, not much that feels better than 1/4 mile I walk after I finish all 19 miles so that my poor muscles don't seize up and refuse to ever work again. Just don't let me fool you, this is one of the hardest things I have ever done and I am not at all confident that I can actually do it. My only chance is to fake it until I make it, so thanks for playing along.
When you see me in the next few days and you (being supportive) ask me about my long run this weekend (19 miles!) and I nonchalantly reply that it was great, do not believe me. This is hard, really hard. Every long run gets a little worse and a little better. It's two steps forward and one step back. For example, this evening's run. First of all I was feeling a little hormonal today and and kept putting off the inevitable so I didn't even get started until about 6:30 pm. For the first eight miles or so that makes for a lovely run, especially tonight. I watched the sun set through the storm clouds and ran under the evening rainbow, nice, right? The problem is, then it gets dark. I don't mind running in the dark with the exception of three things, first the City of Wichita is not so great with sidewalks. There are four miles spread out along my long run route during which I must run in the road. There is ,of course, no shoulder. Three of the four miles are later in the run and thus tonight, in the dark. Scary. Second, the City of Wichita does not maintain the sidewalks they have which would not be such a big deal if it weren't for the third thing. The complete lack of streetlights in any useful place. These things mean that when I am a slug and put my run off until it is dark I spend a lot of time trying not to get hit by cars or fall into holes. This evening during mile 13 I completely tripped over an uneven sidewalk I could not see on this moonless evening and fell all the way down. I have awesome scrapes all over to prove it. Next- can anyone tell me why energy bars have to be so flipping hard to chew that they actually cause cramps in my jaw, The one I ate during mile 14 caused more pain in my jaw than the cramps in my calves at the end of the run. I don't need anymore pain than I am already causing myself, thank you very much. By the time I get to mile 16 it takes all I have to keep putting one foot in front of the other in the prescribed rhythm. There is, however, not much that feels better than 1/4 mile I walk after I finish all 19 miles so that my poor muscles don't seize up and refuse to ever work again. Just don't let me fool you, this is one of the hardest things I have ever done and I am not at all confident that I can actually do it. My only chance is to fake it until I make it, so thanks for playing along.
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4 comments:
I love your honesty! I feel the same way about running 13.1 miles today. But if it is anything I know, it is our ability muster strength with mind/heart over matter. And you even have to admit, that three short months ago 10 miles seemed impossible. Now that is an easy run! We will get through this, and be stronger because of it! I am suddenly hearing "Eye of The Tiger".
You can do it! I know you can! Your little sister all the way in Utah knows you can. I know you can cause anything over 1 mile is awesome. Oh and we have good sidewalks and street lamps in Utah....just sayin
Just 8 days ago, Andrew rode the Lotoja. A 206 mile bicycle race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was greuling inspite of the breathtakingly beautiful natural scenery. When he finished, over 10 hours later, he said his knees hurt and his tummy was crammping, and he was starving. The next day, he went horse back riding. Yesterday he said he was doing just fine. This is tough and you can do tough stuff. You will find strength, courage, and humility you did not know you had, and you will inspire others, like me. I am so grateful for a daughter like you.
Mom
Running 19 miles will never feel "good". It only feels good when it's over. Seriously, good work. Way to stick with it!!
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