If you can't handle pain, disappointment or mind games, stop reading now. If you’re training for a big race and are still in the newlywed phase, stop reading now.
Today wasn’t just a 19 mile training run. It was an experience in running.
Twenty miles was on the plan today, my last long run before the Gasparilla Marathon next Sunday. I can be a little wimpy when it is cold outside, and, coming off a great (although unplanned) 18 mile training run last week, I decided to run this one on the treadmill.
Not the best choice. I wasn’t as mentally prepared for this run as I was for my last. When you’re having trouble getting your head into the game with 16 miles left, you know you’re in trouble. Especially when you’re stuck indoors on a treadmill with lousy TV.
At mile 6 my left inner thigh started hurting like crazy. The hem on my loose-fitting shorts stuck out and rubbed my thigh raw. I had huge welts that were sooo painful. Try concentrating on a run you’re not crazy about when every step make a sore worse.
I found Band-Aids around the gym and exposed too much skin to too many fellow gym-goers trying to keep them on. They don’t work.
At mile 14 I hit a mental wall. I was fighting self-doubt, treadmill-hate and the sore on my leg. And I was nauseas. I can’t eat while I run and it was taking a negative toll on me. Pushing myself made me want to throw up. I wanted the run to be great and it wasn’t. I pushed for another 3 miles before I couldn’t take it anymore.
For five minutes I sat in the locker room, telling myself that I can run. I can run this distance and push even when I don’t feel like it. I ran another one mile on the treadmill.
I drove home to refuel with a Clif Shot. I made it another 1.5 miles outside. I wanted to do more but couldn’t cut into the 15 minutes I had to get ready for work. Oh, didn’t I mention I was racing the clock to be at work?!
Overall I made it 19 miles. It was a physical, mental and emotional battle (as long runs often are), but I didn’t quit.
I apologize if this is seems overly sappy. Running long distances makes my emotions go a bit haywire. The night after running a long distance I like to write wordy, reflective posts about it.
Does exercise ever play games with your emotions?
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