I guess the “something we did” was run, (insert laughter) because it rained on us for a good portion of our run this morning---so I say, “let Him cry, because it felt GREAT!” The past few weeks have been REALLY HARD because the early morning temps were in the upper 70’s to low 80’s, and the humidity was usually around 85-90%.
Since this is my first blog about training for the Route 66 Marathon, I want to say, “thank you” to Fleet Feet, the coaches and all the friends that I have made and who help keep me going. Every Saturday morning, the coaches with Fleet Feet--- as well as a couple hundred of runners, wake up before the crack of dawn for our “long runs.” In recent weeks, our long runs have been 12 miles or more; some runs are hills, some runs are flat, and some are a combination---all in preparation for the Route 66 Marathon, or half marathon.
All of us runners are put into groups, which for the most part, is based on the estimated time we want to finish the marathon (26.2 miles.) For example, if you want to finish in 3 hours and 10 minutes, your running coaches will keep your group at a “lightening speed” pace (7:15/mile.) If you want to finish in 4 hours, your running coaches will keep your group at a “really fast” pace (9:10/mile), and for the rest of us who just want to finish, our running coaches just make sure we are “upright.” J The group that I run with usually has two or three coaches who keep us on a pace that is---anywhere from a 9:40 minute mile to a 10:45 minute mile---the time fluctuation depends on how hot it is, how many hills we have or how long the run is that morning. With our pace time, we will more than likely finish the marathon somewhere in the range of 4 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours and 45 minutes--- much different than the Olympians who finished 26.2 miles in 2:06:32 (men) with a pace around 4:40-5:02mile and 2:26:44 (women) with a pace around 5:40/mile!!! That is literally running more than 26 miles at a 5 minute pace---that is just ridiculous---and I would definitely croak!!! I challenge you to run one mile at a 4:40 pace----let me know how that works out for ya!!! J
Last week, we ran 14 miles, it was 78-degrees and the humidity was 92% at 6:30am! We all did great…well; my group did great--- I however, stopped in my tracks with 6 blocks to go. I was dehydrated, my stomach started cramping and I thought I might puke on Coach Brian or Coach Paul. Good thing Coach Paul gave the me the advice of, “It’s okay to puke, just don’t puke on your shoes.” Haha. Fortunately, I didn’t puke. This week we ran 12, but a few of the women are running the Chicago Marathon in 5 weeks, so they ran 20 miles--- and since I got the wild idea of possibly joining them—I pushed myself to run close to 16 miles. That means next week, I will try and do either 18 or 20. I’m not sure if that is a great or crazy idea to do--- I’m leaning towards the “crazy” idea.
I have a deep admiration for those who run marathons, those who are training for their first marathon or those who are training for a 5, 10 or 15k--- as it requires unbelievable will power, determination and dedication. It is truly wonderful to be around so many of you who have ALL of those traits and so much more. For those who I run with in group M3B, (also called the Hawt AsSphalts) I am amazed and in awe of all of you. From your constant laughter, your encouragement, and your words of wisdom…thank you. For Coach, Brian, Paul, Tim, Ben and Steve, your confidence and positive words makes a world of difference…and definitely keeps us going. Thank you for making us sing, “Who let the dogs out” as we pass dogs along the way, and thanks for keeping us in stitches (sometimes literally) during EVERY single run from beginning to finish!
I will try and start a new blog after every Saturday run….and I will also try and start new blogs throughout the week so we can talk about anything from mileage to eating to how we are all feeling physically or mentally. I would love to hear from anyone who wants to write, and I open up discussion to all of you. With that said, I will apologize now for any spelling or grammatical errors. J
Happy running everyone!!!
~Chera
