Saturday was my second long run in my Boston training plan. It was 12 miles. I did it! I didn't know if I would be able to. I was nervous before my run. I was nervous every second during my run. I was nervous afterwards... What if my knee got really wonky after my run? So while I am very excited I was able to accomplish the run, I definitely wasn't having a carefree time out there!
I ran on the road in the neighborhoods around my house. It was relatively flat because I wanted to mimic much of the Boston course. I didn't stop to walk or stretch or anything. I allowed myself the option, but I didn't need it.
Here's what went down....
- My knee did not hurt.
- From a cardio standpoint I was fine. I wanted to push my pace after Mile 8 but I did not.
- All other parts of my body felt fine- no weird pains during or after my run.
- My knee went back and forth between feeling weak and feeling 'normal'. I would say it felt weak 70% of the time and normal the other 30%.
- It continued to feel weak for the rest of the day it I could tell it was a little warm and probably inflamed a bit. (I iced and stretched the heck out of it.)
**Sunday Morning Update: Knee feels relatively normal today. (Not NORMAL, but not weak like it did all day yesterday after my run.)**
I have a lot to think about. My knee is not totally healed or back to normal. If I didn't want to run Boston so badly, I would not have run 12 miles today. I really have to think about if this training and eventual race is going to be good for my body or not. Just because I can run 12 miles doesn't mean I should.
I am excited to see how it feels in the coming days.
The cool news is... I did some more math, and even if I could only run 15 miles of the marathon (I totally could have done 15 yesterday if I had to.) I would still be able to walk the last 11 miles with almost two hours to spare before the cut off time. Walk/running would definitely not be as fun as RUNNING, but it is looking like a viable option. Yet I still can't bring myself to look at all of my e-mails from the Boston Athletic Association and start researching things to do race weekend. I don't want to do all of that until I know for sure we are making the trip.
Now, onto some other thoughts. You all know that today's run was pretty important to me. So you would think I would have taken impeccable care of my body in the 24 hours leading up to my run?
Nope.
1. Lay on the couch for 3 hours before the run, giving your knee ample time to get tight and creaky. (I had to blog and watch Sex and the City!)
2. Stay out until 11:30 pm the night before. (I'm 31, so that's the equivalent of staying out until 1:30 am for all you people in your 20s.)
3. The night before, drink unmeasured amounts of scotch to get your body good and dehydrated. (I was at my friend's for Girls Night and brought a flask. There was no measuring, just pouring.)
4. Eat copious amounts of cheese, broccoli, and bean dip. (Scotch lowers my inhibitions and makes me not care about calories and macros.)
Oh well, my run was not deterred by my poor Friday night choices!
Tell me, what is the stupidest thing you did the night before an important run?
I really admire your determination Meg. Most people have perfectly healthy bodies yet sit on the couch and do nothing as far as exercise. I can't believe how quickly you got to the point of running 12. It took me three months to get to that point, and I still had to walk during my half marathon! I'd say the dumbest thing I did the night before a run probably involved just a bit too much alcohol, but I'm pretty paranoid so I usually am really focused and try to do everything right the night before a run.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tonya! But remember, I had a pretty good base... even though I had to take 3 months off of long running, I had developed a comfortable base over the course of several years. It would be like if you took 3 months off from volleyball- you'd prob come back like nothing happened! :)
DeleteYay for 12 miles! It sounds like you are being completely reasonable and smart about getting back into it and really listening to your body.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am in my 20's and staying out until 11:30 is like staying out until 1:30. I can't wait until I'm in my 30's and have to go to sleep at 7pm.
But you are an old soul, right?? :)
DeleteOkay so I am cautiously excited about your 12 mile run as well! when your knee feels week is it tight painful? I am just trying to get a good picture. so your number two about staying out late definitely applies to me: when I stayed up until 2 AM in Newfoundland watching breaking bad I felt really bad ass and then exhausted the next day LOL
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't feel tight or painful at all. It just feels weak. Like I wouldn't trail run on it now because I feel like it doesn't have the strength for the uneven terrain, if that makes sense?
DeleteGotcha. I never 'trail run.' I'm way too wimpy for that ...lol.
DeleteSays the girl who will run in ANY weather!!!! :)
DeleteI liked Heather's wording of "cautiously excited." I guess what you really just have to think about is if you'll truly be satisfied with the worst-case scenario of walking the last 11 miles of Boston. Only you can know for sure, but are those miles going to be the most heartbreaking, miserable miles you've ever covered? If so, do you want to risk it? But if you truly just want to cover the course and DO BOSTON, then you're probably okay.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insights, Cassie! I do have a lot to think about. I did talk to some running friends and they gave me some ideas about walk running... Mainly, not saving all the walking until the very end but mixing it in.
DeleteThose weren't bad Friday night decisions, those were great Friday night decisions. I had soo much fun! I'm glad you made it through your 12 miles!
ReplyDeleteThanks, "A"!!! I had a blast too :)
DeleteI AM SO PUMPED FOR YOU!!! You are such a success story :o) Congrats on a GREAT run, and playing it smart even at this stage, when it would be so easy for you to just go all out and forget to be careful!
ReplyDeleteThanks :) I still feel like I am not being careful though... I mean, I am being careful, but part of me also thinks running 12 miles is not CAREFUL hehe.
DeleteCongrats on your 12 miler. I know it has been a hard journey but you are doing it! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Heather :)
DeleteCongrats!! :) And I think your Boston plan sounds great (I know this is a few days late...haha). You rockkkk!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marissa:)
DeleteNice run!
ReplyDeleteThose Friday night decisions would have done me in. Related: we inherited a crapton of alcohol from a friend, including some scotch. We are pretty much beer/wine people, but we decided to try some scotch - didn't dilute it and it was also pretty old. Bleugh! We both were pretty horrified! Haha. So maybe there's a right and wrong way to drink scotch? yes?
Well, I am no scotch expert, that is for sure. And I know depending on what type of scotch it is, it could taste different. I do 2 shots scotch 1 shot water and lots of ice. That dilutes it enough for me.
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