This weekend I ran a marathon as a training run. My last big run to kick off my 3-week taper.
I was a bit giddy at the prospect of running 26.2 as a long run but also dreading it at the same time. Mother Nature has been relentless with the heat and humidity and I was envisioning a repeat of Boston…without the amazing spectators, ice, and sprinklers.
I treated the marathon as a dress rehearsal for the 50K. I tested out my sausage casings groove shorts. I bring a whole new meaning to wicking fabric.
I was completely drenched by mile 10
I stuck to my hilly long run loop of 5 miles. And around and around I went. My car doubled as an aid station.
Shot Bloks and salt – the essentials
My legs were tired at mile 15.
At mile 18, I questioned (1) why I was training for a 50K so soon after Boston and (2) why I chose to do a 50K in August.
I fueled every 4 miles or so. It was a mix of Shot Bloks, PB crackers, and PB-filled pretzels (my new favorite). Add in a little salt and over 100 ounces of water, and I felt pretty well hydrated and fueled. If you include my post-run chocolate milk, I consumed around 1350 calories. I took care of the 1250 calorie deficit with 4 slices of pizza and some Miller Lite.
I don’t care how many times you run a marathon, 26.2 miles is tough. It was hot and humid and I felt spent at the end. I could not run another 5 miles. Not in that heat. I kept thinking that if August 19th is a day like today, I won’t finish.
Then I remembered to never, ever listen to the craziness that creeps into your mind after you run a marathon. You are delusional and not thinking straight. You say never again and then, 1 week later, start looking for your next marathon.
I did finish…in 4 hours and 28 minutes. 5 minutes faster than my Boston time. Hooray for heat acclimation.
And, about those crazy thoughts, it sounds like someone is in desperate need of a taper, both mentally and physically. Thank god it’s here.
Ever say “never, ever again” after crossing the finish line? I said it after my marathon in 2007 and definitely said it after every 5K.
wow – awesome job! i ran 20 yesterday and that was TOUGH. i’m kind of acclimated but running long in such humid weather will never feel easy!
You are amazing… 4:28 is my pr and that is just a training run to you! I LOVE your intense phone/mirror picture LOL 🙂
My “never again” and “why do i do this” moments always come during races then once I am fininished I’m all “I love this, when can I do it again!!!!!”
You are going to be fine for the ultra! Doing marathon distance alone, in the heat/humidity and faster than Boston–you’ve got this!
Happy Taper! 🙂
Nice work! I too have a marathon to use a training run to kick off my ultra taper. When I started this adventure, I thought it would be hard to not want to race it. Now that I’m a few weeks into back-to-back long runs, I’m thinking maybe it won’t be so hard to NOT race it 🙂
Did you think about that at all as you went into it?
holy hell, a marathon in this weather! Nice work, lady. And you’re right, don’t listen to the crazy voices in your head – you’ve got it, just don’t doubt it.
Wow, I don’t think I could ever do a marathon just own my own like that! I’m impressed! About that 50K in the heat of summer thing ….not sure why anyone thinks that’s a good idea 🙂
Wow. A marathon on your on – with a 5 mile loop – for me, each stop at the car would be too tempting! Awesome job!
How come your training “marathon” run was a better time than my marathon run itself? LOL I envy you!!!! You are going to rock the sh*t out of this 50k.
This is why I did actual races for all of my 4+ training runs. I’m too lazy to do that on my own. 🙂
That’s awesome–yay for heat acclimation! I think you’ll do great at the race. You need the taper and the race day vibe, and you’ll be good to go. Meanwhile, enjoy the pull-back!
I can’t WAIT to hear how your 50K goes. So exciting. I think that, by next spring, I’ll be ready for some long-distance racing again. Every year we go to help out at the Wasatch 100 mile run and every year I’m jealous that I’m not doing it again.
Enjoy the taper!
Running a marathon as a training run sounds pretty epic to me but that’s great your body is getting used to the heat. I don’t think it takes me a whole week to get to the when-is-my-next-marathon phase, but there’s definitely a brief what-was-I-thinking and I-think-that-was-my-last-marathon interlude following the finish.
Enjoy your well-earned taper now!
Nice job, Kristy! That must be tough – running 26.2 without all the fanfare. Good for you – you’ll be ready.
Also, PB filled pretzels = smart! Great idea.
I always say never again after 5K! haha, I hate them!
Your awesome! 26.2 miles in the heat as a training run….in less than 4 and a half hours! Yeah, I’d say you’re ready 🙂 Enjoy the taper!!!
yes after the new jersey marathon! then I did nyc. now, not so sure when next marathon will be. liking the shorter stuff now!
I almost always say “never again.” The two exceptions were my marathon PR and my half ironman. However, at my 24-hour race, approaching 50k, I not only said I’d never run an ultra again, I said no more racing, no more marathons or triathlons or ANYTHING. I was SO over it. Then I took a dinner break, got up, and ran 22 more miles. It’s all mental.
A marathon long run! Awesome! I need to try the PB filled pretzels!!! Sounds amazing!
I’m always so impressed with you – I was proud of my 4 today
Kristy, I bow down to you. You are superhuman!!!!!!!