Turtles Can Run

August was an awesome month for running.  I ran a total of 157 miles, woot.  I’m still seeing speed gains despite the increased mileage and heat.  I don’t have as many aches and pains after my long runs as I did when training for my half marathons but my knees are hurting during the long runs.  The  concrete is to blame I think, I would like to figure a route out where I could almost completely avoid it, it tears my legs up.  Going to the pool or taking a cool bath as soon as I get home from my long runs has really helped stave of some of the soreness/stiffness/pain I used to get.

The past two long runs (17 + 18 miles long) have tested me in other ways.  On the 17 mile run I had major stomach cramps for 10 of the 17 miles.  It was horrible but I ran through it despite the pain and the feeling that I couldn’t breath.  I thought it couldn’t get worse and then it did, this week I was totally sick for the run.  The night before I felt feverish, congested, had a sore throat and body aches.  To add to all of that whatever was wrong with me stopped me from sleeping two nights in a row, so I was also exhausted.  But once again I managed to get through the run.  At times I wanted to quit, cry, walk or go home but I didn’t.  Running under things circumstances was excruciating but I felt I needed to stick with it in order to build up some mental toughness for when the pain sets in on race day.

This past week I also ran my fastest mile.  I ran it in 7 minutes and 7 seconds.  I was so excited about this.  I never thought I would be able to run a mile that quickly.  My next goal is a sub 7 minute mile, that sounds crazy to me but I actually think I can do it.

Six weeks of marathon  training done, 10 to go.  Next week I will be running my longest run ever, 20 miles..Ahh. Kind of nervous and excited all at once.

Filed under: Running Blog