First Over 20 Miler!

@Pigglies (9329)
United States
February 21, 2010 12:17pm CST
Well, I wasn't intending to go over 20 miles, but with trying to find a restroom I ended up doing a few extra miles. I was planning to do 18, maybe 19. Did almost 21. Part of it was hiked instead of ran though, because our group went up a mountain and it was pretty crazy. I'm not in that good of shape yet! But still a lot of running was definitely involved, because I still finished in just under 5 hours. And my walking/hiking pace was over a 20 minute mile according to my watch. Next week I want to do a flatter run of over 20 miles. Then time for the taper. And exactly a month from today, the marathon! Yikes! I feel so sore today I can't even imagine the marathon now. But I suppose at least it's not a trail marathon.
2 people like this
3 responses
• United States
21 Feb 10
The key word I read is Yet. You aren't in that shape Yet! You will get there. The next run is flatter and I Know that will make the difference. So The Race is March 21st? that's Bach's birthday! I can and will remember that date! Just rest up. After a few days , start your routine. You Can do this. Go Pigglies!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
22 Feb 10
Yes, the race is March 21st. That is cool that it is also Bach's birthday. I think if I try hiking that route a few times so that I get in good enough shape for doing that easily, then I'll be able to move towards running it. But I don't think I'll try that trail until after the marathon. Gotta train for one thing before moving onto other goals. Thanks for all of your encouragement!
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Feb 10
What are friends for?
@pandaeyes (2065)
22 Feb 10
That sounds like a fantastic achievement ! We did 9kilometeres yesterday and I was happy with that even though we walked a little bit. You sound like you must be in pretty good shape. Sounds like you are well on the way to managing the marathon distance too. Do you carry gels and drinks along with you on the day or do they get handed out? I find the drink bottles are a bit of an aggravation to carry for longer than about an hour.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
23 Feb 10
9K is pretty good too! Luckily during the marathon I won't have to carry drinks at least. I'm not sure on gels yet, since so far they haven't announced any gels being available. If nothing is available, then I guess I will have to carry something. But I'm hoping I won't have to wear a fuel belt. I have a belt that carries 12 ounces of water/fluid and one or two gels. It's not too bad, except that 12 ounces isn't enough water for these long runs. So I carry a 16 ounce bottle too. Then I can refill that at a park if I have to. But I don't really like carrying water and I'm glad the race provides it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160908)
• United States
21 Feb 10
I am so impressed. I cannot even imagine walking twenty miles, to say nothing of running that far. You have done a good job getting that training in. I am glad you go in a group, though, so if you had a problem, you would have help. You are doing so good. How long have you been running now, a full year?What an awesome accomplishment as far as running and healthy living.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
22 Feb 10
Thanks! Yeah, even though a lot of the group went ahead, they always had at least one person wait at the corners and turns to make sure we went the right way. And on the downhill where I took forever, they even came back for me to make sure I didn't somehow take a wrong turn or anything. So that was pretty cool. I might try doing it again as a hike sometime rather than running, and then I could bring some friends along that don't run but are able to hike. I've been running for about 8 months now, so not quite a year yet. I plan to turn my focus back to shorter races after the marathon though, so that I can get my friends and family involved.