Longest run yet yesterday. 7 miles. Felt really good. Each time I complete a longer run, I am amazed at how far my legs are able to carry me. Near the end I did have to stop for, *ahem*, a quick trip to the restroom, but I came back and finished my last 5 and a half minutes of the run, and then walked for about 5 minutes to cool-down. My legs felt fresh and strong. The challenge that I most faced this time around was a mental one: boredom.
There's a fantastic chapter in one of the marathon books I bought about playing mind tricks with yourself in order to fight the negative thoughts and boredom. It gives great games to play with your brain--like envisioning crazy contraptions that fling yourself far ahead of your fellow racers. Most of the ideas involve visualizing something silly and out of the ordinary, or down right "crazy".
Again, with the early sunsets and stormy weather yesterday afternoon, my run was on ye olde Treadmill. I did put my headphones on, but I found myself tuning it out some, and about 30 minutes in my mind was struggling to tell my legs to keep going. It's kind of a bizarre phenomenon really (to me anyways), that my body can feel perfectly capable--not even tired, but the mind tells me to stop. I fought it off, and eventually got in step with the music, which kept me going.
I'm grateful for my gym membership so that I can still get my exercise in. But I find that though you're sharing this space with other people--the same camaraderie and connectedness that you find out on the urban trails of Seattle is missing in the inner sanctum that is 24 hour fitness (okay, inner sanctum may be a bit of an exaggeration). Though sometimes the fact that they have a sauna makes up for it. ;-)
I miss running outdoors. There's so much to look at and absorb. Hopefully next weekend the weather will be a bit kinder and I can get an early afternoon workout in the daylight.
Oh, one more thing I want to address before I sign off: In recent conversations about running and deciding to take on a marathon, several people have expressed concern for my health and safety. And I greatly appreciate that concern, but I want to assure everyone that I have not taken this challenge on lightly. I have excellent resources--including highly trained and experienced runners; good books and internet sources; and my doctor's consent. I'm following the training schedule, which is of utmost importance. I'm also taking all the necessary rest days and listening to my body. The advice that trainers give before taking on a marathon is that you should have been running for at least a year, and logging at least 15-25 miles per week before you consider the challenge. I certainly meet those criteria. It's all about gradually building up mileage, and pacing yourself--the end goal simply being to finish the 26 miles.
Yes, people do get hurt, and yes, there have been people who have died during marathons or during training. But most of those people (there are exceptions) are extreme examples of people not following the necessary training, or pushing through in extreme heat when they should have slowed down or stopped. Please trust that I know what my body is and is not capable of. If I ever come to a point where I am conerned, I will most certainly listen to my body.
Also, I have some great reading materials if you're interested in learning more about the process. Our bodies do some pretty amazing things during such intense training--including an increase in growth of veins and arteries--or how about turning ourselves literally into fat burning machines! Plus--I'm all for a process that allows me to eat more! :-) Also, feel free to ask me questions. If I don't know the answer, I'll find out!
Happy Trails!
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