Well, I did it. I survived the 20 mile run. I ate adequately and drank fluids. I even tried proteins. My energy was good throughout the run, even if my pace was slower than I would have liked. My average mile pace for the run was 11:15. Man! I've gotten slow. I guess that's OK though for such a distance.
I don't care what my time is for this first marathon. Well, OK. I do care...within reason.
Though my expectations keep changing. My goal keeps getting slower. At this point, I’ll be happy to finish under 5 hours. I’m not saying that’s a bad time. It’s 26.2 freakin’ miles after all. It’s just that reality is setting in. I have trained for distance. NOT speed.
Anyway…I digress.
I tried consuming proteins starting right at the beginning of the run to try to avoid the leg pain that developed on my 18-mile run around the 16 mile point. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. I felt great right up to 16 miles, and then the pain began to develop in my feet, then my knees and hips…pretty much all over my legs. But mostly in my feet and knees this time. I also lost my appetite, and it got harder and harder to keep my legs moving.
I willed myself to keep going for the last 4 miles, but can I do that for 10 miles? TEN? How slow are those last miles going to be?
I’m concerned about this. I think I will have the will power and energy to keep running through the pain. But what if my legs just shut down? What if the signals from my brain just stop getting through and my muscles go on strike? What can I do to prevent this?
I’m going to try posting to some forums out there to see what running experts have to say. I got some good advice last time I posted about this on Cyclin’ Missy, but I need more. Any advice is welcome.
Even so, I’m excited for race day to get here. Another month seems like a long time to wait. Bring on Chicago!
No comments:
Post a Comment