I already have two other blog entries started that I wanted to post first- but something happened today and I wanted to share.
I've been a runner since I was 12 and I've finally seen the light... the sport TORTURES me. I've mentioned this before, but I ran track in high school and college. Back then, my idea of a long run was TOPS 6 miles. However, back then I was tortured in other ways. Now I know this is a FOOD blog but its also a running blog so I'm going to write about things that are unpleasant. Back in high school, I used to throw up before and after every race. Before because I was so nervous... and after because I exerted myself so much, I had nothing left. This continued into the first year of college track and then stopped during my second year. And it was during that year that I realized, I was falling out of love with the sport. I was no longer being tortured, no longer getting sick, which translated to ... no longer giving it my all. I quit the next year.
I didn't run competitively again until two years after I graduated and then, well, I began the torture process again. I wake up an hour before my long runs, I've gotten sick before I run, and I should probably pay my running partner Nancy (who is a GI Nurse) for all her GI advice and knowledge she has given me. Before my marathon, I threw up and today, 5 miles into my run with my brother, I threw up. He looked back at me and thought, "What the hell is wrong with her??"
Mike (my older brother who has run 5 marathons and qualified and ran Boston twice) and I ran from his apartment at 6:45am. In the first mile, we realized it was hot. It's September 25th in Boston, it's not supposed to be hot! (I don't know you guys in North Carolina and Florida do it!) The worst part about todays run was the humidity. I tried to stay hydrated but nothing was enough. At mile 7, (after I threw up all the water I had drank) we bought two gatorades. At mile 9.5, I was dying. At mile 10, I made Mike leave me. Once I got to Mile 11, I walked back to Mike's house. I tortured myself through another long run. A long run in which my pains in my achilles didn't matter, instead all that matter was that I couldn't get through it. I couldn't push myself. In those last two miles, I thought why am I doing this? Can I do this? But I know I can. I'm going to get through this marathon. But I have to be honest. After this, I'm pretty sure I'm done with marathons for awhile. My husband misses the girl who didn't go to bed at 9pm EVERY Friday night. The girl who didn't wake up at 5:30am(or earlier) every Saturday. (I miss her too)
Saturday 9/25/10 Long Run
1:48/11 miles/9:48 pace
Hoping to run an additional 4-6 miles tomorrow. I felt a little pain in my achilles today, but it was so much better than my 20 miler two weeks ago!
But for some good news- I got my makeup done and I'm off to my friend Joanna's wedding. Can't wait!
Week of 9/20-9/26
Date: Saturday Sept 25
Route/Workout: Ran with Mike on West side of the river
Mileage: 11
Total Time: 1:48
Total Mileage for the Week: 23.5
Week of 9/20-9/26
Date: Monday Sept 20
Route/Workout: 8 miles on the Charles and Physical Therapy
Route/Workout: 8 miles on the Charles and Physical Therapy
Heat, Stim, Wall-press, eliptical, step, weights, ultrasound, ice and stim
Mileage: 8 Miles
Total Time:
Mileage: 8 Miles
Total Time:
Pace: 9:44
Tuesday off
Date: Wednesday Sept 22
Route/Workout: Physical Therapy, Heat, Stim, Wall-press, eliptical, step, weights, ultrasound, ice and stim
Route/Workout: Physical Therapy, Heat, Stim, Wall-press, eliptical, step, weights, ultrasound, ice and stim
Date: Thursday Sept 23
Route/Workout: Eliptical Interval Workout
Mileage: 3
Total Time: 35 minutes
Route/Workout: Eliptical Interval Workout
Mileage: 3
Total Time: 35 minutes
Cross ramp at 15, incline at 10, 1 minute holding on, 1 minute running (as hard as you can). Do this for 30 minutes, cool down. I swear this workout makes me sweat as much as running. I never knew the eliptical could be so hard!
Date: Friday Sept 24
Route/Workout: Physical Therapy
Route/Workout: Physical Therapy
Heat, Stim, Wall-press, eliptical, step, weights, ultrasound, ice and stim
Date: Saturday Sept 25
Route/Workout: Ran with Mike on West side of the river
Mileage: 11
Total Time: 1:48
Avg Pace: 9:48
Date: Sunday Sept 26
Route/Workout: Ran with Dave outside
Mileage: 4.5 miles
Total Time: 41:50
Route/Workout: Ran with Dave outside
Mileage: 4.5 miles
Total Time: 41:50
Avg Pace: 9:20
Total Mileage for the Week: 23.5
You have been through a lot during this training cycle. You are incredibly tough and you will complete this marathon.
ReplyDeleteOh girl, I'm so sorry you had a bad run. I can't believe your throwing up habit! Talk about torture. Just keep in mind how accomplished you'll feel when you complete the marathon. I am so impressed with your determination. I hope you had a great time at the wedding :)
ReplyDeleteLizzy, you are such a trooper! You work so hard and put yourself through so much. I know you will rock your marathon. And then I hope you will get back to running because you want to and love it again! XO
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your long run didn't go smoothly! Marathon training is as tough mentally as it is physically, I've learned that for sure. I've found turning OFF my mind works best! I feel you on the lack of social life thing, too. I'm postponing vacations, weekend trips, etc. until after Nov 7th! I'll definitely be a leisurely gym-goer this winter with lots of ellipticalling :)
ReplyDeleteAww Lizzy, hugs girl! I am so sorry about your run and your GI issues :( I have the weakest stomach in the world too and sometimes I get sick on a run no matter what I do. I'm also struggling this bout of marathon training and it just sucks.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the achilles is doing a bit better and I hope marathon training gets better- for the both of us :)
<3 you are my hero for all you do and how well you do it! Running, cooking, editing, smiling, LIVING.
ReplyDeleteAh, I'm so sad to read this. This is what was happening to me mentally during my run early this year when I quit training for the half. I wasn't getting sick but I just couldn't get through it and I couldn't answer to myself WHY I needed to do this so badly. The problem is that if you don't, it continues to torture you in a different way. I ran my half and said I'd never do it again... and of course still consider it (because I know I can do it faster). Such a mind game. It doesn't end until you truly accept your shortfalls and truly commit to only doing things that make you happy (unless you are obliged to do them, like you know, go to work or something like that ;) ).
ReplyDeleteHopefully your next run is better!!
I'm so sorry this run was so rough -- and that you've had a rough history with running. :( I have similar problems, and it seems to come in cycles. Last spring I tried training for a marathon and ended up having to quit. I was sick on every single run and just ended up resenting it. It took some time off, a lot of reflection, and a completely new attitude/approach to training to be able to start marathon training again. I hope it gets better for you from here on out!!
ReplyDelete