Marathon Training~ Final loooong long run 22 miles~August 25, 2012

I have been looking forward to this day for a long long time with great apprehension. When running partner daughter-in-law Emily and I started this marathon journey we looked ahead to these very long runs and wondered how in the heck one runs for that period of time. After reaching this point I have come to find out it is all a process and your mental and physical capabilities evolves accordingly. I still have not wrapped my brain around what I can do now. Not even close. Maybe that is the way it is supposed to be. We have to our names to date the following distances run since starting our marathon training in June: 15.25, 19, 20, 22 and 22 miles. Each new distance was such a rush and provided a brand new sense of accomplishment and empowerment.

The task at hand this weekend was to be our final looong long run of 22 miles and it was decided to run it in Wilton, IA (my hometown) and where we ran the 22 miler 2 weeks ago when I bonked at mile 17. I was determined to not allow that to happen again so I planned accordingly applying the lessons learned from that run.

All week I increased my calories with an increase in good carbs...no crap. I watched the scale go up a little bit but knew that it would be okay after the run. I fully realize the need for my body to be fueled up and ready to go. I also watched my fiber intake on Friday the day before. Hydration was vital throughout the week also.

I spent the night at Emily's house and we planned on a 4am start because she had a jam packed day. Clocks were set for 3am and we obliged with the alarms. We were not very giddy about it but you do what you have to do. Various foods are consumed whether we want them or not. Final bathroom visits and gearing up are completed and we are out the door. And it is dark. Various lights are turned on and away we go. I shine the light on my Garmin to make sure I did start it and I announce that we have 12 feet under our belt LOL.

Mile 1 goes very smoothly until I take a swallow of water from my handheld only to have it go down the wrong pipe. Heimlich in aisle 4 please LOL. Not that bad but what a great start. We travel along in mile 2 and Emily discovers she has lost a GU from her new belt. What's next? Luckily the orphaned GU was found after the turnaround with the lgiht Emily made fun of and all is well in our world once again.

We mentioned that time seemed to stand still in the darkness and we had no sense of pacing. I look at my Garmin and indeed we were slower than our assigned marathon long run training pace of 14-ish m/m. No problem, that will just allow for fuel saving.

At mile 4 what do we find in the street? The same pair of underwear that we photographed 2 weeks ago.

Seriously people?

What I have not mentioned yet that during this 22 miler there would be a 5k mixed into the fray...the Eager Beaver 5k (which really is just shy of 3.1 miles by the way). Emily and I were both registered but still undecided whether we would actually run it. After discussing it around mile 9 we fit it into our plans and plotted our strategy. By now it was still dark but you could finally see the sun starting to rise.

Finally see the sun starting to rise at mile 9

Now with a plan in hand we have a new kick in our step as we are on a mission. That should take up a few more miles of distractions. We would go to packet pickup at 7am and head back to Emily's house to refuel our belts and pin on our bibs. We are now at mile 11-ish I think. We give son Matt his final marching orders as grandson Hayden would be running the kid's 1 mile run. With Eager Beaver bibs prominently displayed we are off to head back downtown. On the way I spot fellow Cornbelt Running Club members and stop to chat pausing the Garmins of course. We head to the starting line and wait.

It was funny because evidently word had traveled around town that we were running 22 miles Saturday morning. I also saw a fellow Cornbelter that is very active with triathalons, marathons and whatever he can think of. John was in a bad accident earlier this summer when a dog ran out in front of him while biking. He suffered a pelvic fracture and will be recuperating for awhile. John has a smile that never ends and is so full of life. John, get well SOON!

 John, my hero!!

 I also ran into a childhood friend that moved to the east coast but made the trip back for her class reunion and family functions. It was so good to see Kathy again! We would run run the race with her too...fun!

Love ya, Kathy!

 She runs like a gazelle...Emily

 Yes, we ARE the Wilton Beavers!

We also stood out because we were the only ones running a 5k race with a fully stocked fuel belt including GU and multiple bottles of water LOL. It was the funniest site. We are off and for us it was just a continuation of a long run and the pressures of a 5k race were off. I had never had so much fun running a 5k!! Another interesting aspect of Eager Beaver was that my Daddy was at a water stop that he has manned for many years.

My Dad!!! <3

Back on the road again and we head for the finish. Up next, running with Hayden in his 1 miler. We line up and we are off. Hayden picked the pace and when we ran and walked. Let's just say that Hayden's intervals are everywhere. We had one walk portion lasting 5 seconds LOL. He did so well though and towards the finish we could NOT keep up with him and it just about did poor Ems in.

 Trying to keep up!!!! Seriously!

Hayden had to take a moment to say hello to daddy and papa LOL

The Racers

After a blistering finish we now only have 6 miles left of our long run BUT Emily is on a tight schedule and we say our goodbyes and hit the road again. Not only Emily was running 22 miles but she had a float to help prepare for the Wilton Founder's Day parade at 2 pm. She needed to be at the bank at 11-ish. Oh and then she had Matt's class reunion to get to in the evening.

After the 1 mile kid's run and with the temps climbing Emily was starting to feel it. She has MS and needs to watch for overheating and she was fearful of that. We seek out the shaded streets in town and do the best we can for the remainder.

Look what we find along the way! This and 3 pennies too!

We are now at mile 20 and Emily starts to think she will end her run at 21 miles. She did an outstanding 22 miler 2 weeks ago so she felt comfortable stopping. I ran for another mile and it seemed to take forever with the temps and humidity. Finally, I am there. We completed the final looong long run of our first stab at marathon training. Air Force Marathon is just 3 weeks away.

Before I end this blog with pithy thoughts I must include these photos of the parade.

 Hayden watching for Mommy

 Emily is all punked out from the Hot Tub Time Machine LOL LOL

I consider this final run as VERY successful for me as my preparation was spot on. I had no pain like 2 weeks ago (thank you, Dr. Lake for the ART) and my fueling worked. I know what I will do for the marathon thanks to trial and error.

All of the time, sweat, EARLY morning runs, aches, pains, frustrations, accomplishments and the great confidence gained have prepared us for September 15 at Dayton, OH for the 2012 running of Air Force Marathon. This will be one of the greatest days for both of us. With hubby Jim running the 10k (his first), son Matt running the Half Marathon (his 2nd) and our first full marathon, it will be a day that we will not forget. Ever.

We will also be running this with great SparkPeople running friends from Texas, Missouri, Georgia and other states around the nation. I have such a great circle of friends from my own family, local running club (shoutout to Cornbelt!!) and also yes...online. Most of all, I have been blessed by God to have the body and health to take on this challenge. Not a run goes by that He is not with me for He is with me always.

For the next 3 weeks, please wrap me in bubble wrap. I will see what a true taper is all about...the good, the bad and yes...the ugly. I have heard stories of taper time and all I can say is...God bless my husband LOL LOL.

Until next time...

Toodles!

The Stats