20.4

Anyone i've talked to has made a point at saying "if it's the only thing you do, run at least a 20 miler before your first marathon, just so you get a taste of what you're in for, and know what to expect."  Well, today, as promised, i did just that.

Although still a little achy in the joints from the devil treadmill, i really couldn't have asked for a better day for a run.  Not humid at all, clear skies, sunny but not sunny enough to warrant sunglasses, and a refreshing 55 degrees.  

So this was the plan : my normal "10 mile run" is actually a 10.2 mile loop that i do, starting and ending at my house.  Since it was my intention to run at least 20 miles today straight, i figured i'd do the loop twice, with a quick water / food / pee break after the first 10.2 miles.  Simple enough.

I head out, feeling absolutely great.  After about a mile, any rust and aches that were in my joints melted away and i was on cruise.   Long easy strides and my breathing wasn't laboured at all.  If pressed, i would have to estimate my heart rate wasn't too far above 100 bpm.  Maybe 110 at most.  I was still able to have a conversation at the pace i was running... it's incredible the progress i've made... now thinking that a 10 mile run in just over an hour is "easy."  

"You're a machine Nate... and more than a little insane."  

Yes... so i've been told.  Repeatedly.  If i had a dollar for every time i've heard that, i could probably purchase one of those new sweet C-series 450 horsepower AMG Mercedes.  

Donations anybody??

Came in after the first 10.2 miles in 1:12:52 which is 7:09 per mile.  Legs felt great, breathing still wasn't laboured, i was just a little thirsty.  haha.  

Took a 5 minute break.  Downed a water bottle of water, ate a banana quick, took a bathroom break and was back out for round 2 after only 5 minutes "rest."  I figure that during the actual marathon, i can easily cut off 3 minutes of that since i'll have HAMMER GEL packs on my tri belt and there will be aid stations throughout... so i can actually cover SOME distance as opposed to remaining stagnant at my house for 5 minutes.

After the break, took off for lap two, and it took about a mile to get back into the groove and have the newly ingested fuel take affect.  About mile 13 my right knee started bothering me and by mile 15, that pain was replaced by sharp pains in my left knee.  At mile 17 i definitely started to slow down a little bit... the knee pains were promptly replaced by pain from cramping calves and hamstring.  Unlike the joint pains... these stayed with me until the bitter end.

I ended up running the 2nd 10.2 miles in 1:19:51.  Just shy of 7 minutes slower than my first 10.2 and at an average of 7:50 per mile.  

Added together and including the 5 minute pit-stop, my total time for 20.4 miles was 2:37:43 which equates to a 7:43 per mile average.  Plenty below the 8 minute average i need to reach my 3:25 goal in Baltimore.  Take off a couple minutes with the on-the-go aid stations... i think i'll be golden.

After i got home i quickly filled the bathtub and dumped a bucket of ice into the water.  Dipped myself in and sat there for about 20 minutes... i think thats going to save me in the next few days and i hopefully my soreness level will be far lower than it was last week when i only ran 13.7.  

I estimate that i probably burned around 2,000 + calories during todays training session.

Just finished eating, spent about 15 minutes stretching, and i currently have an iced gel pack on my right knee.  Hopefully i'll be in good enough condition to head out for at least a 3.5er tomorrow.

I learned a few things about longer runs on my training session today:

- i am capable of going 10.2 miles without hydration in conditions similar to today.

- the race really doesn't start until mile 17 and higher.

- distance running is a testament to how well you can endure and shut out pain.

- if you cant endure or shut out the pain, embrace it.

- i no longer have to wonder if running a marathon will suck.  i KNOW it's going to suck.

- throughout the entire 2nd half of my run, i could only think about the fact that i will be doing this next summer, after a 2.4 mile swim and after a 112 mile bike, through the mountains.  it has given me a new perspective on how difficult the Ironman really is.

- i consider myself pretty fit and my athletic ego tells me i can finish any type of race without training hard.  i mean, REALLY training.  shorter races, yes... ok.  these longer endurance races i have to check my ego at the door and train seriously.

- the body is an incredible thing, and only a week after struggling so much with a training run, the fact it allowed me to come back and run well today, 7 miles longer, with more ease, and less physical punishment.

- endurance races are humbling.

Baltimore is just going to be a stepping stone.  I think after todays run i definitely want to run in Philadelphia and drop my time.  The time of 3:25 which i want to reach is an average of 7:48 per mile.  Even with that long break today, i'm 5 seconds below that.  I'm like rainman.  It's always a numbers game for me.  

Always crunching. 

Oh, and i got new running shoes a few days ago.  Adidas AdiZero Tempos.  They are incredibly light and they make a world of difference compared to my Nike Shox (purchased in fall 2004 and with 500 + miles on them.)  haha.

After the marathon, i'll finally be comfortable enough to call myself a real runner.