20 Miler Recap

I think I've finally gotten over the trauma from my 20 mile run on Saturday..although I had a lot of physical issues during that run, I think most of the damage done was mental.

The plan was for me and my friend, Linda to run the first 10 together (out 5, then back 5). She brought her bike and was going to meet up with me somewhere during the last 10 which I was perfectly okay with. I'm glad to have company for any portion of a long run.

It was warm so we got an early start..I was in a good mood..everything was going great. But things started to change as we approached the 10 mile mark and I knew had to do the second 10 alone. My "mental toughness" suddenly took a nosedive! I tried to tell myself to forget the first 10 and just pretend like I was going out for a 10 mile run, but the thought of having to do another 10 miles was overwhelming. I kept telling myself I could do it and that I'd be okay. If only it were that simple..

So, after filling up my bottle with Gatorade and eating a little of my PB & J, I headed back out. I should probably mention that I was having..how should I say it..some intenstinal issues..so that made things interesting ;-) I'll just leave it at that..

My plan was to run the exact same route again, but it was getting warmer and so was my Gatorade (yuck). I only got a couple of miles out when I felt that familiar stinging which meant I forgot to put on more Bodyglide..with the heat/humidity comes chaffing..I've been there before. But, there was nothing I could do about it so I just kept running.

I knew if I could get to the final turnaround point, I would definitely be able to finish even if I had to walk. Just knowing that I was on my way back would give me enough of a mental boost to get me through.

That's when something kind of funny that happened..since I was on a bike path where there are lots of people running & biking you sometimes see coolers that runners plant along the way..I was so desperate for something cold to drink & I could not choke down my warm Gatorade any longer..I never have considered taking something from somebody else's cooler, but then again I was never as desperate as I was that day. So, at the height of my desperation I stumbled across a cooler. Nobody was around (I checked) so I stopped and opened it up. There were 3 empty bottles and 1 frozen solid water bottle. That frozen water bottle looked like the best thing in the world to me at that moment. I have to admit that although I was really, really tempted to take it, I just couldn't do it. I knew someone would be back for it and I already felt guilty for even considering it in the first place.

My next thought was my friend on her bike. Maybe she would be coming..and maybe by some miracle she would have a frozen water bottle for me. Or some Body Glide. Or some toilet paper. Or a cold washcloth. Or an ice cream cone. But, that didn't happen either...apparently she had some problem with her bike and it was unrideable. Oh well. I was truly on my own.

On the bright side, at least I was on my way back and I told myself this will all be over in less than an hour..I can do it..I can do it..and I did do it, but between the heat, the chaffing, being thirsty, & the lack of a bathroom..I was hurting. I was never so glad to finish a run.

After I was done, it took me a little while to pull myself together for the drive home. It felt sooo good to get in the air conditioned car (it was now 86 degrees) and it felt even better when we stopped for an ice cream (which I completely inhaled!).

I felt horrible for the rest of the day, but I came home and fell into my pool and laid on a float for a very LONG time. While I was floating around I seriously contemplated this whole marathon thing. Is anything worth feeling this crappy? I don't know..the jury is still out..