13 April 2008
Beats Sittin’ at Home
Posted by Shelly under: Shelly Batterbee .
I think I was more nervous about running 12 miles last week than I was this weekend running 14 miles. It’s funny how much the mind plays into the run. At least for me. I’ve been “a runner” now for several years—though I’ve certainly had stretches where I’ve either been forced to take off time or chosen to. I try to think back sometimes to how I felt about some of these same training moments 5 years ago. I was “a runner” already, but I had never done these kinds of distances before 2003. I think 5-6 miles was the furthest I’d ever pushed myself before then. I wonder sometimes about that whole “ignorance is bliss” thing, you know?
Yesterday, after finally figuring out what to wear for the rainy, cold weather, I made it down to the zoo to meet up with RunGazelle. I love the enthusiasm I sense when all the runners gather just before the run. I was more confident this week about the mileage, knowing I’d done 13 miles last week. Finished with pain, but finished, nonetheless. This run will be our longest run before the race.
I ran into fellow Road Warrior Julie and we decided to run together, even after I warned her I’d be going slow. We also saw Bob, Steve, Mike, and Terry. Didn’t see the others, but the group was large and huddled under the pavilion – not sure why, really, as we were all destined to get pretty wet within minutes, but there we were, awaiting Coach Woj’s go-ahead.
Funny, I’ve always felt I was the really slow one, but I think after talking to Julie around mile 13, I came to the conclusion that I just start out slow. I force myself into a ½ mile warm-up walk before starting my run, and usually I don’t count that into my mileage totals unless I specify that. I’ll admit to you all that this week my warm-up counted for part of my 14 miles. So walking first while everyone else starts at a jog puts me pretty far behind at the gate. Don’t worry—on race day I know to get that warm-up in before the timer starts!
Julie and I had a good workout. I can’t speak for her, but I’ll tell you even though I was more mentally prepared, this week was just plain hard for me.
Sure, we laughed when a calf started chasing after us like a dog (ok, it was fenced in—we were safe from the vicious calf! But it startled us both at first!) on Kenowa (I think?); and we laughed again when we heard a rooster in somebody’s yard near a school (or was it a chicken we heard?) when we had to take a detour to add in some extra mileage to get our full 14 (still hate me, Julie?). I clearly played a good blonde by looking at Coach Woj’s map for the street route, but didn’t pay attention to the “x2” around the lake. Duh. At least I realized it when my Garmin jingled out the 7 mile mark (“Hey, how are we only halfway done when we are already on our return trip?”).
I will admit that we took a few walk breaks here and there. I didn’t have to do that last week, so that was a bit difficult on the ego. I just wasn’t feeling it yesterday though. Most of our walk breaks were pretty short, but I was definitely aware of them. I know I didn’t fuel up well the day (or two) before, or the morning of the run. Not smart. So I’m sure that didn’t help. I was soaked to the bone; hair tangled in knots from the rain and wind. My stellar tape job on my foot to help with my heel pain was pretty much worthless by Big Puddle #4.
But in the end—it sure beat staying home and sitting on my couch. We were both ready to be done in the end. I think Julie MIGHT have been kinda ticked at me when I said we had to keep going to get our 14 miles in. But we did it. It was nice to get to know Julie better (what better way than two rainy cold hours on the road?) – I don’t think I could have done this run alone, so I thank her! I was chilled beyond belief for my car ride home, still in my soaking wet clothes, but I was smiling. I’d like to think that is part of what makes me worthy of being a Road Warrior this year.
26 more days!
3 Comments so far...
Julie Hurley Says:
14 April 2008 at 12:12 pm.
If Saturday’s run didn’t qualify us and everyone else out there as Road WARRIORS, then I don’t know what does. That run was just as hard as any snow run that I’ve participated in. Many many thank yous to you for running with me. I enjoyed the conversation and company immensely. Oh, and just so you know, my lips were actually blue even after taking a shower.
Deb Pieri Says:
15 April 2008 at 8:54 am.
Wish I could have joined you awesome warrior women! I was still flying home at that point. Doing the long run Sunday was a whole lot drier from what I hear! Boy do I want a Garmin! My birthday is in June and I have sure dropped a few hints! Hope the foot is doing better Shelly! See you on Saturday!
Nick Says:
15 April 2008 at 3:58 pm.
Shelly:
You mentioned taking some walking breaks. When we did the long run from the “Y” on April 5, I stopped at all the aid stations, drank, and walked around for a minute or so before starting out again. At the 15.5-mile mark, my time was better than last year’s River Bank time, when I ran without stopping. I attribute much of that improvement to the fantastic training we’re getting under Coaches Mike and Terry. But some of that credit belongs to the wise decision to stop, drink up (and not spill) and head out again.