Tackling Twenty
Yesterday was my second 20 miler of marathon training. The first was my 20 mile trail race last month. And I plan on doing one more in a couple of weeks.
I wish I could tell you this run was awesome (like my 18 miler) and it left me feeling confident for 26.2.
But it was actually awful. My worst run in a long time.
My legs felt tired and heavy, my stomach felt off and I could not zone out like I normally do on long runs.
I was doing two 10 mile out and backs. I wanted to quit after the first one. And would have, if this lovely chick wasn’t meeting me.
Kelly had a 10 miler planned for today and was nice enough to meet me for the second half of my run.
Thank goodness for her. I know I slowed her down, but if it wasn’t for Kelly I would not have made it through this run. No doubt in my mind.
Thank you, Kelly!
Why did my run suck? Maybe:
- I didn’t eat enough the day before.
- I didn’t recover well enough from my workouts this past week.
- I got too many bugs in my eyes during the first few miles and it threw me off.
- Having my first non-medication induced menstrual cycle in 10.5 years (yup, I became a woman again this week) had some effect on me.
But the truth is, sometimes you have bad runs for no reason. And that’s ok. Without bad runs, you wouldn’t appreciate the good ones. True story.
And honestly, looking at the stats for my run, you wouldn’t think it was that bad. I did 20 miles in 2:59:20, an 8:58 pace. Which is exactly where I wanted to be for this run. But I just felt off the whole time. I would have been much happier if I ran slower but felt strong.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still really proud of myself for pushing through and finishing. Being able to run 20 miles is pretty darn amazing no matter how you slice it. And it's supposed to be hard. I'm not going to let this one sucker ruin my marathon mojo.
Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy that I only have one 20 miler left 
Thankfully the only thing I will be tackling today is some kayaking and a lake swim. Then it’s up to my NY Giants to tackle 
It’s opening day for my boys folks!
How do you get over bad workouts? Would you have stopped in the middle and tried again another time?
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September 12th, 2010 - 10:27
First, GREAT job on running the 20 miles! Your time was great and you should feel really proud of yourself!
I had a bad workout yesterday…I think I didn’t recover well enough during the week so my hope to run 13 miles became 9 miles and what a crappy, crappy 9 miles it was!
My legs were tired…my breathing was great, but my legs did not want to move…thank goodness today is a rest day! I could not get my legs to move at all! UGH!
I have a thing about starting something…I have to finish it…I can’t turn around and call it and say lets try this again tomorrow…if I am out there I finish it…even if I am crawling by the end, but that’s my mental thing about running/working out, lol!
September 12th, 2010 - 10:41
I like that you tie your car keys to your laces!! I would have only stopped if i was dizzy or about the puke. Those are the deal killers for me!
September 12th, 2010 - 11:21
Wow Jen! Great job on the 20 miler! I have mine later on in the year and I’m scared to death! I know it helps having someone to run with! Way to push through and get it done!
September 12th, 2010 - 15:06
I know I already said this but — I’m sorry you had such an awful 20-miler. 20 miles is no joke to begin with, and so it’s especially sucky when you just feel “off” the entire run. For what it’s worth, I can totally commiserate. A couple of weeks ago, I ran 18 miles on a hot, hot day with the sun beating down on me. And besides over-heating a bit, once I cooled down, I felt great. Today I ran 20 on a nice, 60 degree cloudy day. And those 2 extra miles just about did me in. I think the only thing that got me through was my stubbornness. I cut the run up into smaller pieces and there came a point when I was determined not to quit after having gone so far. I hate runs like that because you can’t help but think about the fact that you’ve still got 6.2 miles left to make a marathon. Not exactly encouraging.
BUT — all that being said, I love how you ended that post. You’re right — 20 miles is supposed to be hard. And it’s incredibly impressive that you made it. Especially when you wanted to quit after 10. So much of marathon training is mental, and just think about all the mental toughness you’ve built up after this run! I’m glad you’re not letting it ruin your marathon-mojo. No matter what, you’re going to rock your marathon — err…marathonS!
Also, I feel like I always write these novel-length comments on your blog. Haha… hope you don’t mind reading my ramblings
September 12th, 2010 - 15:25
Congratulations for doing it regardless of the fact that it sucked. Sorry to hear that. However, you’re totally right that you wouldn’t have bad runs if you didn’t have good ones. Maybe you’ll rock your next 20 miler like it’s nothing.
When I have a bad workout, I usually am bummed but at the same time grateful for having been able to get through it. I’m not much of a quitter so I usually power through miserably!
You might have a bad run for your marathon run, so it’s important to train yourself how to manage to run through a bad run all the way to the end.
September 12th, 2010 - 16:45
I would not quit a bad 20-miler (unless it was so bad I had to, for my health) because I think there is so much mental value in pursuing a workout that sucks. It is amazing being able to call on the awful bike ride where I wanted to quit but didn’t and the 20+ miler where I hit the wall and crumbled when I’m struggling through the last miles of a Half IM (or whatever). The triumphs are great, but the challenges are even better.
September 12th, 2010 - 17:47
I did 20 today and also never felt great. But I gotta be honest, after 17 miles I never feel good. After 17 its usually pretty hard for me! But you did it! And at an awesome pace!
September 12th, 2010 - 17:56
Ugh hate that you had a bad run. Although to be fair, I would kill to run even ten miles at a 9 minute pace right now!
I think it was the trail. That trail is a total mental killer – stupid quarter mile markers make every run seem sooooo slow! I would try to find a different spot for your last 20, and I bet it goes much smoother. Seeing quarter mile reminders for a 20 mile run means you are passing those evil little blue signs EIGHTY times – no bueno.
Even though you think you suck – good job.
September 12th, 2010 - 21:00
Back when I could run long distances and race, I never stressed over my training runs. I just wanted to get the miles under my belt and for some reason, come race time, I usually kicked ass. Granted, I’ve never run a marathon and my longest run ever was 18 miles.
There is just something about a race day that seems to give you that extra bit you’re looking for. Don’t stress the training….I’m no professional, but I think you already have this in the bag physically, you just can’t psych yourself out.
September 12th, 2010 - 21:32
yay for getting your period!
September 12th, 2010 - 23:54
Ugh, I had a bad long run today too (16 miler). I feel your pain. Sometimes, a run is just off, and it’s terribly annoying. I try to think about how good future runs will feel. I almost always push through, unless I think I may be injured or have an actual medical problem.
Here’s to better long-running next weekend, for both of us!
September 13th, 2010 - 08:14
congrats on managing your 20 mile and accepting the bad run.
I too have bad runs on occasion and I figure it is usually a combination of a bunch of things.
Some runs are just better than others and we take the good with the bad but suck it up and get through it because I just feel like quitting the run is not an option unless I’m dying.
September 13th, 2010 - 12:40
We all have had sucky long runs! Some days, for no apparent reasons, my legs feel like lead and my body just says “stop” the whole time. No way does it say anything about you as a runner or your ability to have an awesome race! It’s great that you stuck it out and didn’t give up. And yay for running partners to make long runs go by faster
September 14th, 2010 - 12:17
Awesome job finishing the 20-miler! That’s amazing. But, having a crappy 20-miler sucks
I’m sorry it was no good! But you finished and that’s definitely something to be happy and proud about. Sometimes I just stop because, for me, if I have a bad run, it is harder for me to get mentally prepared for another one. That happened to me last week – and I only ran 3 miles! It was just in general an unpleasant run and it totally psyched me out the rest of the week. To each his or her own. I wish I could easily bounce back after crap runs.