If you've ever thought to yourself, "Hey I wonder what running 18.64 miles would feel like?"
You can call me. If you want I will pretend that it was euphoric and horses ran wild through mountainous fields, my feet flew like pegasus, and other mythical ideas I like to pretend about running.
Honestly, I felt like a sloth in a tarpit. Even though there were horses running through fields and sheep bleeting plaintively, I can't say that it made me feel excited to run 8 more miles (7.56 miles to be exact). I am not exactly oozing confidence for this dumb marathon I'm supposed to run in 3 weeks. Oh wait, make that 2 weeks. Two. Weeks. I'm kind of hoping I contract Swine flu. No I am not. I am feverishly knocking on wood and taking that back.
Anyway here's a sampling of my thoughts throughout the Strider's Winter Racing Circuit 30K (18.64 miles). I ran it with, well for 11 miles at least, Cristina and Leah and they made it much more bearable. I finished in 2:42:29, to average 8:42 pace. I'm pretending that pace was actually 8:30 pace because all of those dumb water stops I made.
Mile 1: I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful. 6 miles times three. Not too bad. I can do it. Can I think of enough things to say for 18 miles? What if there's just an awkward running silence between Cristina and Leah and I? Maybe I'll tell a story about Blaisdell.
Mile 7: Alright. Alright. "Romeo something, something, never have to be alone. I said I love you and something." Sorry Leah. I really didn't mean to spit on you. I am so sorry. I will wash your tights. Good thing you are wearing tights because that would feel nasty on your bare leg. I am so sorry.
Mile 10: These shoes are toast. I really, really want new shoes. "Romeo, romeo." Stupid Taylor Swift. That is not a running song. My back hurts.
Mile 11: I think I will stop right here and stretch my aching back. Goodbye Leah. Goodbye Cristina. Your backs look nice in that blue jacket and pink shirt. I will catch you in 3 miles.
Mile 14: No I will not catch you. I will stop at every aid station and consume massive quantities of water, resulting in a bouncing stomach. 5Ks. I'm going back to 5Ks.
Mile 16: Does this never end? How can I get this stupid song out of my head? OH look there's Mike. Just pretend everything is alright. I'm glad Hannah loves me so much that she wails my name everytime I run by. Kenzie, your smile as I see you makes me so happy.
Mile 18: Okay the finish line is any time now, anytime now. "It's a love story and something, Romeo." Dang song. Curse this wrap-around finish. Curse it! But silently, not out loud like you did during the half marathon. Silently cursing.
Mile 18.64: Alright a free hat. Mmmm, donuts. Mmmm. More donuts. Mmmm just one more donut. No, Hannah I cannot hold you right now. I am a sloth in a tar pit.
Just for the record, if I make it through this marathon I am never, never running a marathon again.
Congrats to Cristina, who was second in our age group for the overall circuit. She's a true distance runner now. :)
That makes me tired! But congrats! What an amazing achievement!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero. I ran the mile and a half in school and then would lean over and dry-heave for 4- or 5 times without fail. It was not because I crossed the line first. I vomit when I run. I dreaded the run every time I was forced to do it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I am so impressed....yet again. I am the sloth in a tar pit, only my tar pit is my couch. (yikes!) Tell Christina congrats as well, you guys make me proud!
ReplyDeleteI love to run, but with my short little legs, 18.64 miles is pretty much doubled for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to do a half-marathon by the end of this summer. (I ran 5.8 miles today, at a 9:40 average pace. Woohoo!)
:~D
Can we quote you on never, ever running a marathon again or are you one of those people who forgets all the pain? :-)
ReplyDelete"Sloth in a tar pit." Ha, ha!
ReplyDeleteWell, I not sure anyone who willingly run's 18.64 miles can referr to themselves as a Sloth. I am always amazed by people who love to run. I get the bug every spring but once it get's over 82 degree's I usually quit. You are awesome.
ReplyDeleteUmm, I hope I'm replying to the right person. I think you'd asked about my MLIS?
ReplyDeleteI got it from SJSU (San Jose State, CA), but never set a foot on campus -- my degree was a satellite program and my grad classes were @ SDSU, UCSD and CS Fullerton.
I love Libraries & miss the work. I quit 2 yrs ago when our baby #4 was born -- it was too much to swing at the time (my oldest was 5 and my twins were 3). I don't regret my choice to stay home, as now I've fallen into writing in a big way and I'm working on my first manuscript.
Great meeting you -- what was your MLIS focus? Mine was Youth Services. And yeah, story times rock! ;)
Nice job steph! You're amazing.
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard! I feel that way running a 5k (if that makes you feel any better:)
ReplyDeleteok stephanie, you crack me up. I guess i am glad now that I am not doing the ogden marathon. I am sticking with halves. And I would be happy to have your 8:47 mile time for the half. I think i will rejoice if I get to that! Spencer just got one of those dorky GPS watches. I actually love it, but it is quite depressing to me to see how slow I really am. ha ha. So where are you living now that you run by my parents house?
ReplyDeleteHey Steph, I commented on Marathon Mommies too! I don't think this 18 miler shows your training. There is a reason for the taper and that is to be fresh on marathon day. Right now your legs are tired from months of training and pushing your body. I think you need to run 2 marathons before you swear them off. Plus when you qualify for Boston, you will have to run that one. :-) Trust your training. You will have a great experience at Ogden, no matter your finishing time. I can't wait to hear. How is taper going?
ReplyDeleteRun you sloth, run. GMB
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking. J or YA fantasy (probably YA though). Yeah, I'm going head to head with the greats: Diana Wynn Jones, JK Rowling, CS Lewis. It's like, deep breath, jump into the deep end of the pool.
ReplyDeleteAs a Youth Services Librarian (for public libraries), I saw so much crap out there that was written & published (!!), I began thinking, "I can write stuff better than this." In time, I just may. ;)