NYC: Week 9

Climbing the ladder

"There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness. Many a runner has crossed it."   -Dean Karnazes

On Sunday - and for the next three out of the next four Sundays - the long runs get longer, maxing out at 20 miles in Week 13.  Nothing feels better than wrapping up that last long run before the marathon, but there are still a lot of miles between now and then.

This past Sunday, it was 14 miles, and it was the longest one since I had to pull up in the 14th mile of a planned 16-miler a few weeks ago and then battled a tight Achilles tendon and related calf muscles all the way up to Labor Day.  This time around: no problem.  The last three miles were a grunt, most likely because it was warm, and I also wasn't fueled quite enough and may have even been a tad dehydrated.  I've gotten better at stamina during warm (70+ degree) runs, but after a long football Saturday I wasn't 100% ready for a long run before a long football Sunday.

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When I was out this time, I started trying to keep track of all the random things that were going through my mind so I could break it all down later and try to figure out why I was thinking most of them.  It is odd, but it seems like by the time I turn the last corner at the end of my run I have some sort of amnesia about almost all of it.  I think I know why.

There is no way that I could spend the whole time evaluating how I feel during long runs.  If I did, I'd probably feel like turning around to go home and have a beer and cheeseburger.  Unlike a lot of people, I don't have a running partner - someone that can kick me in the butt if I started complaining or dragging.  That is more of a blessing than a curse, though, and I am not complaining about it.  I have to find the motivation from within to keep pushing on, as I have had to do during the two marathons.  (The added bonus at marathons is having crowd noise and loud music)

I also am lucky to have a very supportive family - especially Gabriella and Christy, who have been at the finish line for both marathons.  Although, I'm afraid that they have had to deal with my one-track mind most of the time and general lack of ability to talk about anything else.  They are troopers.

So I guess I'll just take the random thoughts during long runs for what they are...chewing gum for the mind.