Miles: 20
Gels: 3
Fluids: Nuun and water
Entertainment: mostly music from Glee, that’s right – I love Glee!
I had another 20 mile run on the schedule this weekend. My plan was to once again join the group I ran with last weekend. Zain ended up waking up a bajillion times on Friday night so a 5am wake up on Saturday didn’t sound too appealing.
We got about an inch of snow on Friday night and were due for some more snow/rain during my run. The sidewalks and roads were just wet so I wasn’t worried about running outside. I did opt to just run on sidewalks in case the roads were slick. I planned to run a big 9 mile loop twice then add some more mileage at the end.
Since last week’s 21 mile run went well, I felt more confident that I could handle the mileage. Even though I had that confidence, I still had this little voice in the back of my mind wondering if I could make it through 20 miles alone. The first few miles my body was just warming up and I couldn’t quite find my groove.
Then something wonderful happened. At mile 5, it started to flurry and I felt myself slip into the elusive euphoric state that is the runner’s high. I rarely experience the runner’s high and the times I have were only during long runs. That light happy feeling lasted until mile 16. That’s longer than it’s ever lasted before so I guess I should be thankful!
At mile 16, I started to slip out of my runner’s high and back to reality that I still had 4 seemingly long miles left. At mile 17, I was really done. Since I was running my 9 mile loop twice, I arrived back near my house at mile 18. My warm cozy living room was calling to me. I just wanted to run back inside and lay down on the floor. That’s how tired I was. I pushed myself as hard as I could for the last 2 miles to just get them over with. My average overall pace was 9:43 with mile 19 at 9:01 and mile 20 at 8:51. I must have had a little bit of energy left in my legs to be able to pull that off.
The end of marathon training finally feels like it’s in sight. I only have to run 15 miles this weekend. After that I’ll do my longest run: 22 miles, then it’s taper time. It’s starting to feel real that I’m going to run another marathon in less than 5 weeks!
Have you ever experienced the runner’s high?
Apparently, my hubby experiences the runner’s high on every long run. Am I doing something wrong that that doesn’t happen to me?! Sometimes I feel like I can barely lift my feet off the ground on a long run!
Way to stay out there when the warmth of the house was calling at the end! That’s so tough.
I do get a runner’s high. I don’t know if it’s every time, but it’s most of the time. I think that’s what keeps me coming back over and over!
Loop runs are definitely a challenge. Way to keep going.
I’ve experienced a runners high and love it. That’s what keeps me coming back for more!
Great job!! I don’t think my runner’s high has ever lasted that long. Impressive!
I do get a runner’s high - it’s usually after I’ve had a really awesome set of sprints or I’ve run 4-5 miles. It keeps me coming back for more!
I can only imagine the struggle of getting through 20 alone. I am training for my first full and bet I’ll have to do at least one of the 3 20 milers by my lonesome. Great job pushing through! I hate when you have the couch callng to you … and so closeby!
I rarely experience the runner’s high too. Every once in a while it happens during a run, but I get the high after I’ve finished. It’s the accomplishment that is the high for me.
I usually get that runner’s high feeling AFTER I run, never during. I thought that was normal, haha.
Great job on 2 weeks of 20+ miles! That’s hardcore!
What I mean by I get a runner’s high on every long run…is I usually feel awesome after I get over the “hump” usually the first 3-4 miles of my run. Am I high, am I not high, its hard to say…I know I just feel great
Runner’s high is priceless! Long runs are such a great mental boost- good for you for getting it done and being speedy at the end!
Great job with your run! Runner’s high is amazing!
Definitely no runner’s high on every run, your husband is an anomaly! I’m hoping to feel some high on my longest run ever Saturday!!