That one day i got up and ran 20 miles.

yes, that actually happened.  If i were running the Wisconsin Marathon with the rest of my training group, i would be starting to taper right now.


Lucky for me, i have 5 more weeks until my race, so this week is just a cutback week before ANOTHER 20 miler.  They don't joke around with this whole running a marathon thing.  I think its going to be harder than i initially thought.  (although in my defense, the initial thought was a drunk one, and it went something like "duuuudeeeee, i could totally run a marathon!"  Just add that to the list of trouble that tequila has caused me.  


So here was my 20 mile adventure.


1-8:  These are always fine.  The course is familiar, so it's really no big deal.  I never even feel hungry or thirsty in the first 8 miles (unless it is hot.)


9-12:  This was mentally challenging, because it is somewhat uncharted territory.  I don't run through this part often (unless its during a race) It south of my north route, and north of my south route, so i just felt kind of anxious, like i was really far from anything.  There was also no water here, and i knew i had to eat sooner than later, so i just ran two miles with a waffle cookie in my hand taking teenie tiny bites so i wouldn't choke.  The cookie was delicious.


12-16: These weren't bad.  Just par for the course.  Some of the people in our group started to feel tired at this point and it made me really sad, because we were all breaking apart.  I was completely out of things to say by this point.


17:  I saw Keren!!!  I had started looking for her when were about 2 miles from north Ave, because i knew it was her terf (you know because training for a marathon is like being in a 1980's street gang)  Looking for her was a nice distraction, because we were all split up by that point.  I was so happy to see her.  Something about a friendly face really just makes you feel reenergized.  Sadly, by that point i had just run 17 miles, and ended up totally sass-mouthing the water stop volunteer, and acting like a bitch.  I get cranky after running for three hours, and she tried to deny me water!  Anyway, i feel terrible and will probably hand-make her a spray-painted macaroni apology card next saturday to say that i am sorry.


18-20:  The last mile and a half were a little rough.  I was just tired.  Had i been running more than 20 miles, i would have taken a gu, but it was pointless at that time.  There were only 3 of us still together at that point, and i was beyond talking.  Our pace leader had promised us ice cold beer at the end of the run, and it was all i could think of.  I could see it - i could taste it.  I visualized it in front of me and ran towards it.  Whenever i was spoken too, i just said "ice cold beer."  David was good about talking the last mile, and giving us advice on tapering, etc.  I swear i listened to every word, despite only replying with "ice cold beer."


And FINISH!  No joke, that beer was the best beer i ever tasted.  I was good about stretching, and someone even brought muscle milks for us!!  I think i would be hurting more without the muscle milk.  and that delicious beer.  All in all, it was hard, but i didn't feel terrible.  It was pretty obvious to me that the real challenge on race day will be mental, and that is scary.  And i can't imagine going 6 more miles based on how tired i was.  I was exhausted.  I didn't even run on sunday - i just felt like a slug.  I figure my body needed it though.  (and that pound of goldfish crackers i ate, it totally needed that too....)

My first 20 miler, in the books!


(and good luck to everyone running Boston this morning.  I know it sucks to have race day be 30+ degrees above normal, and i couldn't imagine it for a super hard race that people dream of.  Take it easy and stay safe!!)