17 miles. The farthest I have ran since LA Marathon 2006. Actually I ran 16.25 miles. I learned a lot today. This past week I really didn't run that much. On Tuesday in my attempt to run 6 miles, my legs, knees, feet, etc just weren't in the mood. Instead I got in about 2 miles or so of nothing. Thursday is my scheduled 3 mile run. But instead of going forward with that, I chose to rest my body in preparation for the 17 miles today. Was is a good idea? Sure why not. Yes its bad since I will not run much this week, but good since my body needs a recovery.
The first few miles started off like normal and I found my groove at 10:35/pacing. Slower then normal, but I beginning to be fine with that. My focus on this marathon has changed slightly. Originally the goal was to be around 4:30 maybe 4:40 and hold under 10:30/mile. But now, my body is not recovering like I would like it, and I am more sore. My feet. My knees. My shoulder. Yes I said my shoulder. So instead on a time for my goal, my primary goal is to just stay motivated, continue with my training and HAVE FUN. I see no point in doing this crazy journey if I'm not having fun. And today's run made me question my motives. Quite a few times I wanted to stop. I wasn't keeping my pace and that became frustrating. I was at the back of the pack, and that doesn't help out either. Being slow isn't that big of deal to me, but if I am not enjoying this, why do it? After analyzing my run more, I found the reasons. The biggest change that I need to work on is hydrating myself 7 days a week. I just don't drink enough water (as I now open my bottled water and take a few swigs!). My lack of hydrating the day/night before my long run and even the morning before I run is crucial. Today I paid a huge price for this error. I did some temporary damage to my kidneys, I think. Without getting into details, if you can figure out what I mean, then you know. If you can't, then tough. But the results made the rest of today very unenjoyable. (update - its Monday now and I am all better as I have been drinking tons of water) So I am not ready to give up yet on this run, but will now make this major change in my training. And its just good to hydrate every day for your general health anyway. My other adjustment that I need to make is my weekly runs. I need to be more consistent with them. 6 miles on Tuesday. 3 miles on Thursdays. Maybe throw in a Wednesday 3 miler every once in awhile. Its all great that I can go out and do a 17 mile run like that, but why not prepare better? There is still almost 10 miles to go if I want to finish the marathon. If its anything like today's run, I am doomed!
Before I close for the day, I 'd like to send a shout out to Ms. HotRunnin DigitalGlitter Girl - Amy. Welcome to the blog world.
Check out her blog here Amy's Blog, and also over on the right side of this page. LB Marathon will be her first marathon and I want to tell her that she's doing a great job and to keep it up!
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You are doing wonderfully my friend! I think that yes, the most important thing you learned about the 17 miler was you didn't hydrate nearly enough. Especially...since we were in the beatin' down on us sun all freakin' morning and that was a first since starting training! Plus we were mainly inland and the heat was greater. You'll know better next time (and me too), since my kidneys hurt the rest of that day too =( Not as bad as yours, but nonetheless, a lesson learned, the hard way. Ok, off to run 4 miles EZ! As my days this week alternate between 4-9-4-9!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooooo
HotRunnin' Catch me and see....got a fever of 103!
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