Cover the Distance

I definitely respect the distance. I'm learning to accept it. But, I've decided my mantra for the New Orleans marathon is simply to cover the distance - just get through 26.2 miles in whatever way I can. I didn't complete my 20-mile run as prescribed last week, falling short by four miles (see previous blog entry). Today, I was supposed to run only 18 miles and instead I went 20. Here are some reasons why I think I was able to cover the distance: 1. I carb loaded; maybe not as much as I would for a race, but I definitely consumed more carbs in the last two days than normal. 2. I ran slowly, about 45 seconds slower than my normal long-run pace. I actually trained at a marathon training pace! 3. I devised and followed a great fueling and hydration strategy. I looked super nerdy with my double-bottle Nathan brand hydration belt, but it worked. 4. I had two super friends who covered the distance with me. 5. I had a lighter running week leading up to this run. 6. I believed in myself. 7. I experienced an endorphine rush (perhaps a runner's high?) at mile 16.8 that rivaled the most coveted illegal injectable drugs. Starting in my feet, I felt a warm, tingly rush that spread throughout my body. It washed away all pain, and that's when I knew attempting 20 miles was then possible. 8. I walked for the amount of time it took to consume my gel packs, maybe about 60 seconds. That let me have enough recovery three times during my run to give my major running muscles a break. 9. I didn't give up when the pain really settled in at mile 14, and I learned that miles 14-16 are my toughest miles. This will be important to remember on race day. 10. Did I mention that I believed in myself? It also helped that at the same point along the course that the rocker hand dude passed me last week, my friend Heather passed and gave an enthusiastic chorus of honks, which injected some pep in my step and hope in my stride. I'm excited to finish up these last few weeks of training and see what happens in the Big Easy!