A lot has happened! Monday I decided, it was Go Time. I have been talking with Maggie and she has done at least 2 runs over 4 hrs so far. She said she would be running a 6 hr run last week but when she ran her last long run (close to 5 ½ hrs) her leg started to hurt so she wanted to wait to run longer. Let’s back track…
Monday night last week, Maggie and I went for a run. She had already run that day so she was okay with my pace. We went down the Skukyl River path and were doing ok, until we ran into... An entire wall of gnats! At first I thought we could just run through them but there were just too many. I couldn’t even see Maggie because I dropped my head and covered my mouth. We decided to take that as a sign and turn back. I think total we did 4-5 miles. She gave me some powder called ‘perpetuem’ On the back it says ‘helps muscles not to canobolize.’ I would rather my muscles not eat themselves so the powder seems like a good idea. I haven’t tried it yet though.
Wednesday last week we ran to the Art museum in the AM. There were some pretty awesome pics I will include below. The fountain at Love Park was Purple, so pretty! That run was about 5 or so miles (there seems to be a trend here).
MONDAY! I was like ‘let’s do this!’ I had the day off (Memorial Day) and it would be the perfect chance to get a glimpse into what it will be like for the 20 in 24 race. My dad agreed to come ride his bike around the loop so if anything happened he would eventually see me on the path. My goal going out was 6 hours and if I did 20 miles I would be happy. I knew I would be walking mostly and I wanted to be happy with what I did so I didn’t set any unattainable goal. I figured 3 laps around would be 25.2 miles so that was a good goal for it. We hit the path at 1:30pm and it was 90-93 degrees and sunny. It was hot! But it will be in July too so it worked out.
I ran the first 1.5 miles then walked to Falls Bridge and ran another 1.5 miles. There was a DJ set up across West River Drive and people were lounging on the grass.. My headphones lasted about 2 miles and they became more of a hassle so I just tucked them in my fanny pack and kept moving. First lap down! I stopped at my dad’s truck to reapply the suntan lotion. I know you can’t tell by looking but I BURN! (that was sarcasm) My paleness to the sun is like fresh meat to a lion….it senses me coming and devours me whole! The second lap I still felt good it was over 2 hrs into the walk/run. After Falls Bridge (1 ½ laps in) I started feeling my underarms rub against my tank top, I looked down and they were all red and irritated. I have had chaffage in between my thighs before but never under my arms. So I started to make a mental list of the things I will need for the race. Glide stuff my arms for sure, comfy thick socks, like 4 pairs…At least two pairs of shoes. I need a new pair so I will bring the new pair and the current but possibly some slip ons of some sort..I got a pebble in my shoe a mile shy of the completion of lap 2. I stopped to bend over…that took longer than expected. Once I had my foot halfway out I realized I had a giant blister on my heel.. I was only 15 miles in though and me feet were really sore but I knew if I looked at the blister I would call it quits. So I shook out the pebble, gently squished my foot back into my shoe and continued on.
I decided to stay on east river and just go a little more than two miles out on the path and back so I could reach 21 miles. I did it in 5 hrs and 26 mins. It was 6:56pm when I took the glorious picture below. (the first)
I realized on my practice go that I am going to have a lot of time on my hands…mentally. I started to pray and realized that I can spend some good quality time with God if I chose and that can keep my mind off of whatever body parts start to ache. I also was thinking about cool things I can wear, etc. well if you don’t already know July 16 is my birthday!!! So I am going to make a tank top with the number 27 on the back. And I am going to have 6 empty dashes on top like hangman…Each Lap I will add a letter to eventually spell ‘CHANCE’ this serves three purposes…1. It will let me know how many laps I have done 2. I will have a cool shirt that says my name on it by the end 3. Once I hit the 50 mile mark and the ‘E’ is added I will have reached my goal! However if there is still more time which I am assuming there might be I will keep going and who knows it could spell ‘Chancey’ or ‘Chanceypants’ by the end! That method will help me be friendly to the other runners too when I ask what the back of my shirt says and they respond ‘Chan’ I’ll know I am on my 5th lap (4 completed).
My mom called at one point somewhere between 10-13 miles and I became a little short on the phone. I didn’t get mad at any point during the run but I did notice that I became less social. Even though it was just my dad..I just wanted to keep moving and not stop for a bit. I think I will issue a disclaimer on July 15 that anyone I see during the race, it may not seem like I am excited to see you but I will be! I think after 8 hrs or so my mind will start to wander more but we will see when it happens.
By mile 7 my hands began to swell... This pic doesn't do the swelling justice (*side note- I was in a wedding Saturday hence the pink finger nails that just so happen to match my shorts*)
Tried to capture the essence of me after 21 miles...this is what came out
This was slightly more appealing...I look tough! Watch out now...
Update: I have not run since Monday. Both of my heels had giant blisters on them. It's the first time I had one on my actual heel and not the back of the ankle. Anyway day one I was sore all over, yesterday my butt hurt most, and today there is an afterflow of sore but manageable. I plan on doing 2-3 miles tonight after class..
Team in Training run this week is Saturday, 7:30am at Valley Green! I will be there! No softball this week so I can get to bed early...well early for a Friday Night :)
