In training for the Chicago Marathon, I have three 20 mile runs scheduled (yes, I may be certifiably insane :-) The first one was 3 weeks ago, and it rained for the first 13 miles, which sort of set the scene for what turned out to be a terrible time. But, I finished and wasn't too sore the next day, so I couldn't complain.
I ran the second 20 miler yesterday. I typically do an out and back route, but this time I had two friends running with me and we ran from my house in Libertyville to the Wisconsin border (via the Des Plains River Trail). Temperature wise, it was a PERFECT day for running - low 50's. However, there was a 10-15 mph headwind the entire way. About mile 10, I was wishing for that out and back route - a tail wind would have been nice - but we pushed on.
I ended up finishing in just over 2:52 (we took a couple very short walk breaks that I did not count toward my time nor mileage)...Here are a few things I learned (and/or confirmed) on this run:
- Running with others really does make it easier - I probably would have stopped and rested a couple times and/or turned around to get that tail wind if I hadn't had others with me. But the others kept me going toward the goal of running to Wisconsin!
- Head winds suck - a couple times we went up hills with the wind blowing directly in our faces - that's not a good feeling! But in hind-sight, it was great training!
- The 2nd run at any distance is WAY easier than the first - If you're training for a marathon (or a half marathon), and you struggle through a long run, keep pushing forward, the second time at the same mileage is WAY easier!
- Water and Gatorade are essential for long runs - I use a belt with six small bottles, while the others used a Camel back and a backpack with a larger water bottle in it. I was by far the happiest as I was able to mix up the liquids.
- My wife is AWESOME! Come on - she drove 20 miles one way to pick up three stinky guys, then was stuck in a car for 30 minutes with us
6 weeks until the Chicago Marathon - no clue what pace I should shoot for...we'll see how my next 20 miler goes.
Get out there and run!
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Passed (by a 10 year old)...
Last week, we got the Libertyville Gazette* in the mail...I typically don't pay a lot of attention to it, but this week was different. Right on the cover of it was a full page advertisement for a 5k, complete with a picture of an unbelievable 10 year old running last year's race....this flooded me with memories of last year's race.....
It was almost a year ago that I ran in the Twilight Shuffle (in Libertyville, IL). It was a somewhat unique race because it started at 6pm, but I was looking forward to running a race that was so close to my house. Despite a hilly course and a warm afternoon, I was running very well, passing a lot of people, and on pace to set a new PR (Personal Record). Just after the 2 mile point, a kid blew past me like I was standing still....I'm not talking about a high-school kid, it was a kid who looked like he was 7 to me. I thought - that kid must have just jumped in to catch up with someone....but I watched him continue to run and fade into the distance in front of me. Who was he, did he really run the entire race, how is he really (please say he's just a small 18 year old)....so many questions.
I ended up setting a PR with a sub 7:00 per mile average, and was very pleased with that. However, the questions of the kid still lingered. The next day, I anxiously awaited the 'official' results. There it was, I had officially set a new PR, however, several runners above me was that kid - a 10 year old from Libertyville. How could that be? A 10 year old shouldn't be able to kick my butt....
A year later the 'pain' of having my butt kicked by a 10 year old has faded, and I have signed up for the race once again. The difference is that this year I'm mentally prepared for the kid to pass me at some point - not that I'll like it, but I certainly won't try to keep up with him....
Get out there and run!
*The Libertyville Gazette is a small 'magazine' put on by Main Street Libertyville, an organization of Libertyville businesses
It was almost a year ago that I ran in the Twilight Shuffle (in Libertyville, IL). It was a somewhat unique race because it started at 6pm, but I was looking forward to running a race that was so close to my house. Despite a hilly course and a warm afternoon, I was running very well, passing a lot of people, and on pace to set a new PR (Personal Record). Just after the 2 mile point, a kid blew past me like I was standing still....I'm not talking about a high-school kid, it was a kid who looked like he was 7 to me. I thought - that kid must have just jumped in to catch up with someone....but I watched him continue to run and fade into the distance in front of me. Who was he, did he really run the entire race, how is he really (please say he's just a small 18 year old)....so many questions.
I ended up setting a PR with a sub 7:00 per mile average, and was very pleased with that. However, the questions of the kid still lingered. The next day, I anxiously awaited the 'official' results. There it was, I had officially set a new PR, however, several runners above me was that kid - a 10 year old from Libertyville. How could that be? A 10 year old shouldn't be able to kick my butt....
A year later the 'pain' of having my butt kicked by a 10 year old has faded, and I have signed up for the race once again. The difference is that this year I'm mentally prepared for the kid to pass me at some point - not that I'll like it, but I certainly won't try to keep up with him....
Get out there and run!
*The Libertyville Gazette is a small 'magazine' put on by Main Street Libertyville, an organization of Libertyville businesses
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