Today, as part of my marathon training, I ran 20 miles. It was tough in the strong head wind and rain. Strangely, I found the previous long runs (15 and 17 miles respectively) much tougher.
On my travels, I met a photographer who asked me to jump in the air. Great craic!
Then, I met someone out walking his dog. We had the following conversation:
Him: you are running rightly there!
Me: Yea, I'm on mile 17, three more to go.
Him: Jaysus, call round to the house, I have tablets for that! 🤣🤣
Best comment I've heard about running! We are not wise at all! 😅😅
Written by
Teresa1632
Marathon
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Great pic - not sure I’d have the energy to jump in the air during a marathon!
Well done!!!! That is a fantastic achievement!! 💪😀👊I have just tried and failed to run 16 and 20miles in 2 races. Keep running out of energy and mental strength. Seems now like London 2020 is not going to happen for me. 😪 😞any tips on how to dig in and stay positive during hard run when you run out of “oomph” greatly welcome!!!!
Hang in there - the Marathon is within your grasp. I get round by Jeffing it, with a ratio of 1 min run/30 second walk. I've found that if I do this from the beginning, I have enough left at the end. (It's essential to do it from the start, saves blowing up near the end.)
My 15 miler was horrendous though, I thought I'd never make it, and like you, had serious doubts. I finished that one panting like a dying dog. But stick at it!
In training, I played little tricks on my brain, by doing a kind of 'crossroads' run. Leave your water supply and food in the car. Run 5 miles out/back to the car. Refuel. Pick a different route, run 4 miles out/back. Refuel. Pick a third route, run 1 mile out/back. 20 miles done! The beauty of it is that you are never more than 5 miles away from your 'destination', and each successive run is shorter. Also saves trundling around like a mule with supplies.
Oh, I also shout at myself "I can do this" "Power" (Plus a few swear words!)And I send imaginary blood flow to niggly bits that appear. And I stop and talk to people on the way round. It only takes a minute, but really distracts your brain from the task at hand.
Thank you so much - it is a relief to know I am not the only one who has struggled, after being in a race with people discussing and lapping me when doing 7 min miles “ slowly” (or so they said). I think it was seeing the other people so strong and far ahead when I was so tired (or other words) at 10m yesterday which flipped me on a 2x10M circuit. I usually do walk run 4-5/1 but yesterday did 7m nonstop and then tried to run/ walk - clearly a mistake for me, as I blew up. So I stopped at 10M half way point and still got the t-shirt. ( the medal has gone in the bin out of frustration) I think I was subconsciously so worried about not making the cut off time that I used it as an excuse
on the plus side this was the furthest I had run without stopping and without injury for a long time. Will definitely try your techniques - i often do counting too. Apparently Paula Radcliffe did that, tho I was doing it before I knew she did it!!Actually I had planned to do a run ater this week with my car in the middle and several out&backs along relatively flat route. it is also better as I run on my own so I can stop if needed.
Get that medal out of the bin and up on the wall! You worked harder than anyone else to earn it. 💪🏅
I'm running a 11m/mile. All my running group are running 9m/mile. I just wave them off and do my own runs. Pay no attention to what anyone else is doing, your run, your pace.
Yesterday, I ran in a 5k race to support a local cause. I was running on busted legs after the 20 miler on Saturday, and the course was very hilly. Just took my time, and finished in 36 minutes. All my running group were waiting at the finish line to cheer me in. Nobody minds one bit about your pace.
After that, we had organised a family park run for local youngsters and mums & dads. To see the wee ones aged 5 and up running around was magical. I was happy to be marshal/cheerleader and official photographer 😁
Get out there, run for the joy of it, and talk to everyone en route. 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♂️
Glad you enjoyed your recovery run - nice cheerleading squad At the end! I bet the kids loved the family run! 😀
I am “running” between 11 and 12 min mile on long stints, between 10 and 11 if below 10k, but slower if I need to walk, rest or melt down. So frustrating as I used to run a marathon in 4.20. Anyway, things are what they are.
Thank you again for the pep
talk - Have become too obsessed with London. Will ave another go on Weds or following Monday when weather not forecasting snow or heavy rain in this flood hit region!!
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