FINALLY! I put this off, off, off. I’m speaking for myself, but I just loathe 20 milers in training. They make you SO tired, sore, and they just take so much time. Alas, running with a friend makes things THAT much more fun! Maritza and I met up on Saturday morning bright and early and if it took 8 hours, the tour of torture was going to get done that day. Starting in Santa Monica at our normal ‘spot’, we took off right about 7:30. If you saw my last lovely post about complete and total burn out on training and full marathons, you know how I feel about my two upcoming back to back races.
So when we took off, after running a measly 8 miles between my 16 miler and this 20 miler, I knew it would be a struggle, but I also knew the importance of getting it done training wise. We started off and I just counted down the miles. We stopped a few times as there are many stop lights along the route that we ran. We talked and caught up and I found myself telling her that I was looking forward to running with her and catching up. No matter how long it took to get the 20 miles done, I knew we could do it, but I was more so looking forward to hanging out with her, and we had a blast. We both fell twice. It was REALLY warm out, and we traveled a pretty hilly and different route. Past some GORGEOUS movie star mansions, where I took a digger.It doesn’t look that bad but I think the bruising is much worse now! Maritza grabbed for my fuel belt, and sadly enough I was on the ground before she got a hold of me. We both fell twice. I don’t get it. I’ve only ever fallen three times on a run. ALL WITH MARITZA, WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is…
Along many different streets, the hills, and the heat, I was glad we pushed through. The last few miles were the best because we both pumped up the jams and took off! It was a great way to finish the longest run I’ve completed since last October! I was glad it was over and now I feel much, much better about LA. I have my fueling down, a great new fuel belt to wear at the race, and my outfit is ready. I was feeling a little dumpy about the race before this 20 miler. I’m still not particularly going for a land speed record, and know I’m far from PR shape, but I’m glad that I have confidence that I will finish and it won’t be HORRIFIC. The only thing that really hurt during the run were my feet, they were just a little tired, but besides that I fared well.
We finished off the run with delicious slurpees since I had to head home to quickly get ready for a friend’s engagement party. I wasn’t THAT sore after the run, just a little stiff and my knee now has a HUGE bruise on it and the scrape is healing. I got a sweet sunburn too, so that’s radical. I’m going to shoot for a 13-15 miler this weekend to see how things go, but I am feeling much better about the races now and looking forward to running shorter distances. :)
xoxo
19 Comments
Great job on the training run! At least you got it over with and now you can focus on your upcoming races! :)
March 8, 2011 at 11:53 amNice job, it is all (ok, mostly) mental to get past that 20 miler.
March 8, 2011 at 1:30 pmthat picture is freakin amazing. you look like you just ate the 20 mile monster.
March 8, 2011 at 2:11 pmapplaud the 20 miler.
March 8, 2011 at 2:12 pmTut tut tut at the sunburn. :)
You are a trooper! You’ll definitely kill it at the LA Marathon! Go go go!
March 8, 2011 at 2:32 pmOh man! I hope the knee is feeling better! Good job getting that run done girl!
March 8, 2011 at 2:58 pmHooorrraaayyyy! We got it done without any casualties! You are my favorite death-march partner!
What was up with our tripping, sheesh!
March 8, 2011 at 3:21 pmOuch…but way to get through a very tough 20M run.
March 8, 2011 at 5:46 pmI need a good 20 miler to feel confident. i think ill follow your plan… 13, 16, 20… ;)
March 8, 2011 at 5:55 pmWoo hoo! Nice run. I am always intimidated by the 20s in my schedule but they are usually more fun than I expect them to be.
March 8, 2011 at 5:56 pmI’m sure you’ll do really well at the LA Marathon!!! Either way, I’m pretty sure there’s no way you can feel worse about it than you did last year! lol
BTW – hilarious pic you two! :o)
March 8, 2011 at 6:57 pmOw, ow, OW! I can’t believe you BOTH fell. Good golly Pete! Glad you are okay and that you survived your 20 miler – Slurpees cure MANY an ailment!
March 8, 2011 at 8:44 pmI did my 20 mile run last Sunday and I totally fell on the 19th mile. I tripped over a crack that was ohh about 1 cm high on a main street. Cars were watching, my knees and hands hurt, and I had to get up, laugh to myself and finish. At least I am not the only one tripping out there! On to LA!
March 8, 2011 at 9:06 pmNice job on the 20 miler! You got it done and that’s the most important part! Woohoo!!! PS sorry ’bout the wipe out, I hope it heals quickly :)
March 9, 2011 at 9:44 amGreat job on the 20! Love the 7-11 shot… we have three in town and I have to say, they’ve saved my butt more than once when I’ve been out of water/energy. What’s your post run slurpee flavor? Diet Coke with cherry for me.
March 9, 2011 at 2:37 pmLove the 7-11 photo! Can’t believe you’re running marys on 2 consecutive weekends. I can’t wait to run the Safari half marathon! Hopefully I’ll see Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria. :)
March 9, 2011 at 4:57 pmApparently Maritza is tripping you when you aren’t paying attention. Glad you got it done. Rock LA girl.
March 9, 2011 at 7:24 pmIs it the Hanson plan that maxes out at 16 miles? A ton of 10, 12 and 14 milers though.
March 13, 2011 at 12:05 pmLove the last photo!!!
You got a sunburn? I don’t think my body has seen sun for 9 months!!!
That is a wicked cut/bruise!
March 16, 2011 at 1:30 pm