Week 7 - Day 3 - 15 Miles

"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham

Another "personal record" run. 15 Miles.

Justin and I returned to Forest Park in the late afternoon after a mostly lazy day involving lots of Doctor Who Season 6. I was feeling quite unmotivated today, after spending a long day in Eugene yesterday at Oregon Country Fair. I could have laid in bed all day, caught up on my sci-fi while lightly snacking and perhaps drinking a cider (or 4). But alas, such a day was not in the cards.

15 miles were in the cards.

I fretted about the run for most of the day. I am realizing that the farther I get into this training, the more nervous I become on personal record runs. It must be some lack of confidence deep down that still can not quite accept the fact I am doing this thing.

On our way, Justin and I stocked up on "Power Bar" products and each ate a energy bar on the way there. I began the run feeling very strong and happily listening to my audio book and feeling more confident about skipping over the big rocks on the path. This trend continued for the next 2 hours or so until I realized that I was desperately thirsty and my tummy was uncomfortably gurgle-y. I had been stuffing a Power Bar chew into my mouth every mile for electrolytes and they are very sticky. It was also painfully aware that the energy bar was not digesting well. I was also robbed of my audio book at the half way point because I had neglected to download part 2. Fortunately I had Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to fill my head with happy. By the last 2 miles of the run I was feeling very weak and depleted. My knees and ankles were sore and wimpy but I just kept on truck'n. I finished the run with relief and did some careful stretching. The final step in the training is to consume food within 30 minutes after a long run that has a ratio of 2 carbs to 1 protein. This helps with muscle recovery. We had, of course, bought more Power Bar products for this purpose so on the way home I unhappily chomped on the sticky and much too sweet recovery bar.

As I type I am in recovery mode from this momentous run and moving slowly on painful knees, again catching up on my sci-fi and munching on pretzels. My tummy is still a bit unhappy but I am VERY happy, basking in another goal reached. The best part of this particular goal just might be that I am now in position number 1 in our home for distance!