I thought I would use yesterday as a gauge on how I would do in the Marathon and figure out whether I needed to leave early, but it wasn't a good gauge. I walked with Jana for about 9 miles at a slower pace than I would normally walk. I'm glad I did that. We had a nice walk together and it was good to get to know her a little better. I am so impressed that after two stress fractures she's still out there trying to complete the marathon. What an inspiration!
I got back across the causeway to the lower half of the course and it had already been over four hours and I had only done 14 miles. So I walked until it was time to head back to make the five hour time limit, but by then I had only done 17 miles. I felt terrible that I had only gone that far. I ate some cinnamon swirl, drank some endurox and headed home. When I got home, though, I felt so guilty that I didn't get in the miles...felt like I HAD to get in the miles.... so I walked another 6 in my neighborhood. That probably wasn't very smart, but I just had to convince myself that I could do the miles...it's going to take me more than five hours, so with this, the last long one before the Marathon, I had to convince myself I could put in the time and the miles. I was pretty slow and sore those six miles, but I did it, and I know I could have done more (4.2 more!)
I felt pretty good today until I tripped over the dog. She was sleeping in the doorway. I tried to step over her, and she decided to get up as I was doing that. I fell on the ceramic tile and hit my knee. I was pretty upset and was afraid to move. All's well, though, I think. I did get a big knot on my shin (not sure how I did that), but the knee's okay. Whew! I was so afraid I had done something really stupid that would take me out of the marathon. So no more dog jumping for me! (Rita wasn't hurt, but she sure felt bad. As I was icing my leg she sat down in front of me with the most pitiful look!)
So I'm still not sure how long the marathon will take me -- more than 6, less than 8. I've decided though that it really doesn't matter too much. I started out with a time goal of 6 1/2 hours -- to average a 15 minute mile, and I know I won't make that. But I also know that I will finish, and that's what I really started out to do. I'd like for it not to take 8 hours, but then, so what if it does? I am just going to do the best I can and be satisfied with that.
I will be in town this weekend and will join the group for the 10 mile run. I will, unfortuneately be out of town the last weekend before the marathon. My other two sisters who rotate with me to stay with my Mom are both busy that weekend, and I could not make other arrangements for someone to be with her.
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8 comments:
What did you decide about an early start... I was going to use Saturday as my guage...AND I did n't show!
I understand about your doing the add'l miles in your neighborhood. That is why I stayed out there this time with so much misery. On the 20 miler I just did 5 hours so this time I wanted to see if I could even do the mileage regardless of the time. So-o-o glad your knee is okay. Be careful, now...we have to get to that starting line!
Cheryl
Well, I have decided to start the Chicago trek 2 hours early, with map in hand, in the DARK 6 A.M. or so of Chicago. I just feel better about going early. I guess I'll have to miss JoDee Messina singing at the start line, but I will certainly enjoy seeing the Kenyans speeding past (as I hustle out of their way)!
That's great that you were determined to finish your miles. Sorry about your accident with the dog....glad it wasn't worse than it was!
And it was so great to see you out there with us. Glad you will be there this coming weekend!
I don't blame you I had to get those miles in also. It just makes you feel better!!! Good Job!!!
Sorry I slowed you down but glad you walked with me! It made the time go by faster for me. You saw that I will have to be able to run intervals in Chicago because I am such a slow walker! I was also SO worried about reinjury this close to the marathon that I was afraid to push it.
Sorry about the brain fart. Can't believe I asked you if you have kids. We had just talked about them and I already knew it anyway. Sometimes the blond in me comes out no matter how I try to keep it pushed down!
Jana
Hey Girl,
I want to apologize to you if was in any way rude to you on the walk back in. I was in such pain from cramping up, I could hardly talk with you and that's usually not me. I just wanted to get home and in the ice bath. Phil's wife Patti kept talking to me by the cars and I can't even remember if I said anything to her! So please, I hope you didn't take offense to my lack of conversation.......
Cathy, I have decided to start at the starting line and not start early. I am kinda like you...a rule follower...I just hope it doesn't bite me this time. Maybe you and I can start out walking together. I will try to do intervals after a warm up of 15 min. or so. I bet with your fast, steady, walking that we will finish about the same time OR you may finish ahead of me because I fizzled out somewhere along the way. Now, I don't mean I will have stopped...just going at a turtle's pace...I will have to be truly injured to an unbearable state of pain before I will quit. Won't it be fantastic to cross that line?!!!
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