LONG RUNS

Stephanie Caroline with Corral Map for Marathon Day !

18 Mile Run

I was hoping to run with one of my friends for my first-ever 18 mile long run and was disappointed because everyone was out of town due to it being a Holiday weekend (Easter and Passover).  I got up early and procrastinated and never really made it out the door in the morning.  I think my sister Patty texted me, and she ended up immediately called me and helped me get changed into my running clothes, geared up and out the door. It was a slow start.

I hit Central Park and took a right to run down the West Side for the first of my three loops and noticed these two women running at a pace that looked comfortable to me.  One had a Portland Marathon race shirt on I ran up behind them and said “what pace are you running,”

“Oh, we are running slow, I’m training for a marathon,” Portland said.

“Me too, I’m training as well,” I replied,

“We are doing 11 minute miles at this point” said Portland.

“Me too,” me.

I ended up running the next 10 miles with Jennifer, her friend Grace had run a 10K that morning and she exited at mile 5.  They both run with the Nike running club in Manhattan and gave me the details to run with the the club.  Jennifer is running the Big Sur Marathon this coming Sunday.

Once I told Jennifer I would be running my first marathon, she started going down the list how I should hydrate, carb load, gu – my training schedule.  She was very helpful and at one point I felt I was rapid fire asking questions, but wanted to take advantage of her experience. 

She started earlier than I did, so I had to run the last 7miles on my own, but before I left her, she looked at me glowing and thanked me “That was the best 18 miler I’ve ever had,” she said.

It made me feel good that she also benefited from the run, because I felt like it was a real 101 “How to Run your first Marathon Workshop.  She told me other runners had been generous with her when she was a newbie, it was her pleasure to pass it on.

The last 7 miles were not easy, it was getting hot out and my legs were cramping, I started with salt intake for my first time, but think I started to late to help the ache.  The last two miles were the toughest, being on the back side with downhill and uphill inclines.  I remember running towards Central Park West and out of the park, thinking, “I am really glad I am almost home.” I was able to keep running and didn’t have to stop that many times.  I did have the sensation if I stopped I would not be able to start running again, but finished my 18 miles.

 

20 Mile Run

After running the week before with Jennifer, I was really dreading running the 20 miler alone.  It was Saturday morning early and I made it out of the house, and set my running mix to my favorite selection.  I wanted to give myself every benefit of being able to complete all twenty miles.  I hit the park strong and settled into my pace.

It was probably the hardest run I’ve had ever, including my two half-marathon training.  It was one of the hot weekends and I made every beginners mistake you can.  I hit that wall, I probably did better than I want to give myself credit for but I did end up having to stop and walk more than I am comfortable with, my legs were cramping from mile 15, I felt like I was getting dehydrated, I would buy a new water and drink it, I ended up buying three waters from the same guy.

He looked at me and “your thirsty.”  I really did wanted to swear at him, but I smiled instead.

In the end I completed all twenty miles and later, when I was explain to Coach Ryan regarding how bad I felt the run went he said “who gives a shit, you finished.”   I also am now happy to make the mistakes in my 20 mile training run instead of race day

Here is what I learned for race day:

1.       Hydrate early, gu and drink Gatorade 20 minutes before the start of the race

2.       Keep hydrating for the first 6-8 miles, quite before you start the swish in your stomach

3.       Gu early in the run to store for the later miles to avoid hitting the wall, don’t start at mile 15, it’s too late

4.       Really watch what you eat 2-3 days before the run to store for the later miles

5.       You can eat, bananas or anything like chips or something with salt during the run

Every Saturday my one pleasure is to run down 100^th street between Amsterdam and Columbus past Ladder 22 and Engine 76 Firehouse.  I always give the guys thumbs up and a big wave, especially if they are in the truck outside.  This day, they were outside just coming home for a small brush fire in Central Park.  I thanked them for being a touchstone of my marathon training and it was a thrill to see them outside talking.

On e of the guys, said “yeah you always run by and yell at us waving.”

“Yeah that’s me, “I blushed.”  I was happy for the opportunity to thank them and it was a thrill.

I crashed hard Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.  I was achy, had a headache and ate a few times without ever feeling like I made be able to supply my body with the nutrients it craved.  I continued Gatorade all night, but went to bed early and woke up Sunday feeling one hundred times better.

Taper

I am now in "the taper" and have been able to mentally prepare for the slowing down process.  I have been too tired to worry about if I’m running or not, but this morning for the first time, I started worrying that I need to do more.  Work has been so busy this week, I haven’t really had time to obsess about running or more, not running. Small miracles and even larger mercies.

In both runs, in the middle of it all was my Christian music and faith in Jesus.  Being Easter weekend, it didn’t take too long to remember the Passion of the Christ and the decision Christ made for the sins of the world.  And the price he paid to set me free.  I rejoice in my freedom today and devote the next eight days to prayer and meditation to my love of Jesus.

I invite anyone to run with me anytime.   I am now a member of the Nike running club that meets on Thursdays 6:30pm and Saturdays at 9am – with a fantastic Boot Camp on Monday nights at 6:30pm.

All the best to you heading into another weekend,

Keep the faith, y'all !
Have a great weekend
Stephanie