I got the run done in just under three hours and was so glad to be done. I came home and was starving. I ate mac and cheese with the kids and then thought maybe I was going to spew it.
I have 87 days to go until Missoula. I wish it were a little closer, but it will be here before I know it.
There was a time when I thought it was crazy to be out running for more than an hour. Over the winter an hour and a half run become pretty standard for me.
I remember when I first trained for a half marathon I kept telling myself I would do two half marathons that summer and then stick to 10k and shorter races the next year. Those long runs were really killing me. Running 12 miles made my whole lower body hurt, by the end of the run I was so stiff I could hardly walk. Clearly half marathon were just too long for my body.
Yeah, about that.
The next year (which was last year) I did do two 10k races, but they fit nicely into my half marathon training. I did two half marathons again last year, along with 9 other races. I started thinking maybe someday I would do a marathon. There was no way I would consider it though until my kids were both in school. Training for a marathon would just be too time consuming.
Yeah, about that.
I felt like I really built up a solid base over the winter thanks to a pretty mild winter I got in a lot of runs and had a lot of 40 mile weeks, got in a couple of 13, 14 and 15 mile runs. One day I decided to go for 17 miles. A new PDR. Three weeks later I was signed up for my first marathon. My kids won't both be in school for another year and a half. So I am a little premature.
I also at one point told my husband I really didn't foresee me becoming a runner who traveled just to do a race. That seemed crazy.
Yeah, about that.
I found out about Hood to Coast. What is a girl to do. I am not about to pass up a chance to run an EPIC relay and get to support the beef industry while I do it. and well I guess I am traveling 6 hours to do the Missoula Marathon, but there weren't any marathons in my area until SEPTEMBER!
So I am not going to sit here and tell you that I don't plan to run any more marathons in the near future after Missoula because this training is hard and time consuming. I am going to bet that despite the fact that I don't have any plans to run another one, I will. I am not going to rule out anything. I am a runner and tend to change my mind a lot.
Has running made a liar out of you?
Haha! Looks like you've slipped into the vortex. You know what they say: never say never!
ReplyDeletehaha love this and congrats on the awesome 20 miler! I lie all the time saying I'm not going to race all the time then somehow ending up doing races, I never thought I'd do a marathon and here I am training for one. Sometimes running is a sick addiction hehe
ReplyDeleteHa ha. Yes! I swore I'd never do a marathon because what's the point. Well in doing one, I found the point. I also said I was only going to do two races this year so I can focus my time elsewhere. Wrong. I'm signed up for at least half a dozen and counting. Oops. Luckily my husband let's a lot of the running jabber go in one ear and out the other.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got that 20 miler under your belt! Enjoy the marathon in July! Bummed I'll miss you by a few days though; it would be cool to meet you.
ReplyDeleteYay on your 20 miler. It's amazing how quickly we shift our thoughts. I've been the same way!
ReplyDeleteRunning constantly makes a liar out of me!! I always say, "Oh that's crazy! I wouldn't do that!" but then I find myself being one of those crazy people! I have a sneaking suspicion too that after this baby...tris will make a liar out of me as well!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your 20 miler!!! You are ready already!
Haha! I'm right there with you. Awesome job on your run!
ReplyDeleteThat picture is so true. I've started just not looking at my watch during long runs because thinking about how far I have to go really kills me.
I feel like I've done the same thing with running-- once you do one, you're always kinda looking at what's next, no matter what you're saying out loud!! NICE WORK on the 20 miles!
ReplyDeleteI love your marathon countdown. I usually don't start counting down until I am a couple weeks away. I think I am at 18 days. :-)
ReplyDeleteYep, running 20 miles is intimidating, but once you're done, you really feel like you've accomplished something. Keep up the good work, you're gonna do great in Missoula.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about your journey as I embark upon mine. You are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny to look back and see what we thought was crazy then and it's not crazy anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing awesome with your training. Your going to have an amazing marathon!
Running ALWAYS makes a liar out of me! :) Always!! Makes fools out of us too!
ReplyDeleteI love that pic you posted above. I hear that a lot from friends that take up running and quit because they feel like their chest is going to cave in or that it's uncomfortable feeling. Plus, it's a good reminder of focusing on accomplishment!
Great job on your 20 miler! You are a rock star! Yes, running and triathlon have made a liar out of me!
ReplyDeleteSo funny:) running makes many a liar.
ReplyDeleteI have no desire to do a marathon - as I am on the slower side and just trianing for a half takes up so much of my time.
ReplyDeleteHaha, congrats on being a liar!! I ran my first 20 miler this weekend too, and the hunger. Holy crow, the hunger. I've never been so hungry in my LIFE. And tired, also tired.
ReplyDeletecongrats, you're going to kill that full!
Yeah...about that :)
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time I decided a 10k was the longest race I'd attempt. I'm running my second half marathon this weekend. I'm pretty positive I'll never run a marathon. We'll see how that goes :)
hahaha. yes. and i have to lie to myself to even keep going sometimes ;) my bestest trick was on my last 20 miler where i would only tell myself i was running 5 miles and pretend like it was true. it totally worked but was so hilarious to be "tricking" myself the whole time. haha. i tell myself all the time that i wont do a race or wont run another marathon for a while...then suddenly im signed up for a billion things and doing the things i promised myself i wouldnt. its all in the fun though. and good for me i guess :)
ReplyDeletethis is a great post. it brought a smile to my face. i am so happy you conquered 20!! congrats! and speedy too :) love that quote...i will have to remember it next LR! you are inspiring to me! and so strong! keep it up friend!
A 20 miler already?! You are SO ready to dominate Missoula! You could do a marathon next weekend! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a very fitting quote for us runners, I only started running about 5 years ago and would have laughed in your face if you told me I was going to be addicted and would someday run a marathon and complete a triathlon. But those are now my goals for the next year and who knows, maybe I will end up being an ultra runner or an Ironman finisher someday!! I have quit putting limits on myself now because anything really is possible.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! I would have NEVER done a half marathon. Eww. Ooops, I've done 6.
ReplyDeletestrange how that happens!
DeleteYou have been doing so awesome with your long runs! The first time I ran 20 miles I broke it up into 4, 5 mile increments. Seemed to help.
ReplyDeleteI remember training for my first half marathon, I thought I would never run a full it's too far. 4 months after my first half I was running my first full marathon. Since then have ran 3 fulls, training for the 4th and possibly my first ultra :)
yep...me too I lie sometimes...
ReplyDelete"I will do one half per year"....well no I have done 9 in 14 mos.
"I will never ever do a full that is crazy...."
March 2013....it is looking like this will change
good job on the 20
you are ready right now!
That is an amazing pace for your first 20 mile run...very well done ! I think you'll do very well at Missoula, and will have a lot of fun as well. The tiredness after a long run is a good feeling though...a real accomplishment. Here's to staying healthy and having fun !
ReplyDeletehaha, too funny!
ReplyDeleteI think you have to take opportunities when they come. Just like running, you will regret what you don't do, but usually you don't regret what you do! So, what I get from this is that you are going to be running HTC!? If so, awesome! Do you have a team yet?
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the 20!
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, running makes a liar out of me all the dang time. ;o)
So, when are you going to run that ultra? Hahaha :)
ReplyDeleteHAha. Mine name is Missy and I'm a liar too. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have lied about it all. When the kids are bigger is my got to lie.
My littlest won't be in school for 3 years and I'm doing a full Ironman in November.
I'm never saying what I won't do because I always end up doing it. :-)
You are incredible by the way!
Please say you won't do triathlons or move to AZ. ;-)
I love this post. I've been following your blog for quite some time and it is really fun to follow you on this running journey. I am training for my first marathon as well. It's fun to not be the only one suffering, and also enjoying the sweet success of long runs.
ReplyDeletethis is so funny but SO TRUE!!! people who get up at 6am to run on the weekends are crazy... well color me crazy :)
ReplyDeletelove this post! you go girl with your 20 miles!!! AWESOME, so AWESOME!!! something to be proud of, that's for sure! love that quote!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 20 miler, AND your awesome time, too. You are just having so much fun. Good on ya, Christy.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Running has not made a liar out of me, but it's forced me to become harder with myself about setting goals and races--as in, forcing myself to scale back when I want to go out whole hog. With kids (plural, now) and 50+ hour work weeks, I have to be realistic. It's made a more disciplined person out of me!
ReplyDelete