20 mile run
12.29.07
Yep, I did it…20 miles and boy was it an adventure. Along my way today I encountered knee deep snow drifts, blinding wind and blowing snow, stretches of nothing but ice, snow pack, pavement, slush, detours and puddles. The elements were interesting but I embraced the challenges and up until the last mile or so I had the sun. I was so grateful for that. Physically I felt the best I’ve ever felt on a long run it was more of a mental challenge today realizing that the only people out running today were crazy or professional or both. Overall, it was a huge success, I felt like a runner today (a slow runner but a runner nonetheless). I was able to quiet my mind and forge ahead in all my steps. There was only one time today when I thought negatively; at mile 7 I thought….’I'm not even half way done’. That was the first and last time I looked at the glass half empty today.
We watched Without Limits last night and I kept a few key pieces from that movie in my mind today. I also kept some advice near by that a client gave me a few weeks ago, he said to relax all unnecessary muscles. For some reason that resonated so much more than just the word relax. It helped me keep my legs ‘on’ and the rest of me ‘off’ including my mind. Knowing the anatomy and musculature of the body so intimately gives me such an advantage to visualize what is going on, what I need, what I don’t and who I need to recruit to get me through the tough spots. A big accomplishment today, a key workout done….hay in the barn as Craig would say. So thank you body, thank you mother earth for the day you gave me and thank you Pre for reminding me that we have no limits.
Most of all, thank you BJ for riding next to me for the last 5 miles and saying all the right things. Well almost…I had to ’shh’ him when he started singing the The Final Countdown during the last mile. Just couldn’t handle the acoustic version of one of the worst hair band songs. Other than that babe, you were right on per usual.
Jess, congrats on your long run! Days where you feel like a runner (in spite of the conditions) are important for building up your confidence and comfort as a runner. I felt that way when I was logging lots of miles in Houston. Anyone that was out running in that humidity with that pollution MUST be a real runner…a great mantra for getting me through some brutal long runs. Have fun tapering. I’m sure that all of your training (combined with those images of Pre’s bare and sweaty torso) will get you through the marathon!