The Rowe Family Blog

I had been dreading the 20 mile run that was scheduled for today in my training plan from Runner’s World. I’ve run 20 miles before a few weeks ago and it was incredibly difficult especially in the last few miles. But I did the run and overall it went well.

Mary and I arrived at the mini-gym at my workplace at about 10:15. After stretching and getting a DVD running (Wonderfalls this weekend) I was finally on the treadmill. I ran. And ran. And ran. And ran. And then I ran some more.

After about 8 miles I was feeling pretty good and was toying with the idea of running 21 miles. Right after I had that thought I figured that the run was doomed. I often get this sort of delusional optimism about half way into my long runs. Things feel good and I think that feeling will last forever. It doesn’t. To get that feeling at 8 miles signaled to me that I’d bonk at about 16 miles. Luckily that didn’t happen.

Today I walked a couple of times and sometimes for more than 2 minutes. Most of the walks were when I was eating or at the 1 hour markers when the treadmill shutdown. I think I may have walked one time other than that. As I said the walks were longer than I usually do but they were refreshing and I think they improved my run overall.

I hit 20 miles at after about 3 hours and 22 minutes. I think it was about 3:22:30 but I honestly don’t know. After I hit the 2 hour mark I tend not to care much about seconds anymore. My last 20 mile run (the only other 20 mile run I’ve ever done) took me about 3:40 so this was a pretty significant improvement. I also felt better at the end of this than the last time. That’s not to say that it was easy or perfect but it was better than the last time and that’s all I can ever really hope for.

My plan for running outside on Thursday fell through. At abotu 9am, the time I wanted to start running, the temperature outside was 25. I decided to run inside instead. I went to the gym and ran 8 miles in about 1:17:30 or so. There was nothing notable about that run. It was neither good nor bad. Tomorrow I’m going to run 20 miles on the treadmill at work.

Last week Thursday (11/16) I ran 7 miles in about 1:03:30. On Sunday (11/19) I ran 16 miles in about 2:37. The 16 mile run went very well. Not only did I run the entire length significantly faster than recent long runs but I felt much better at the completion too. When I finished I felt like I could keep going. I just felt good. If I can feel that way after 20 miles I’ll be in good shape for the marathon.

Last night, 11/21, I ran 2 miles in almost exactly 18 minutes. Tomorrow I’m planning to run 8 miles outside. It’s been a long time since I’ve run outdoors and I won’t have many opportunities before the race. The weather is supposed to be reasonable. I’m going to run the Rowe Quarter+. I’ll be running the 6.5 miles of the Rowe Quarter and then an additional 1.8 miles for a total distance of 8.3 miles.

Last night I finally bit the bullet and ordered new running shoes. I’m getting the same model that my sister bought for me early this year, the Mizuno Wave Elixir. I ordered them through www.runningwarehouse.com. I would have bought them locally but no one around here carries that model. Hopefully this will take care of my shin splint problems. It should but it is possible that it won’t.
On Sunday I have a 20 miler scheduled! I’m scared but hopeful that it will be my best distance run yet.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted my runs. I’ve been running but I’ve been very busy and not posting.

My runs for the last couple of weeks are (all on the treadmill):

• 11/1 I ran 2 miles in about 18 minutes
• 11/2 I ran 6 miles and I don’t know how long it took. I think in the neighboorhood of 55 minutes
• 11/5 I ran 20 miles! It took me 3 hours and 40 minutes to do this
• 11/7 I ran 7 miles in about 1:03
• 11/9 I ran 7 miles in about 1:07:30
• 11/12 I ran 7-8 miles in something over an hour I think.
• 11/14 (today) I ran 4 miles in 35 minutes

My run on 11/12 was on a treadmill that I was unfamiliar with. I accidentally pulled the stop key and I hadn’t looked at the display in at least 20 minutes so I didn’t have a good idea as to how far I had run or how long it had taken me. I’m certain I ran more than 7. I think it was between 7.5 and 8 miles but I’ll never know.

I’ve learned a few things in the last couple of weeks. Most importantly I’ve learned that my new running shoes are behind my shins splints. As much as it kills me to spend more money I’m going to buy a new pair of my old sneakers. My old sneakers, that my sister bought me, are Mizuno Wave Elixrs. My new sneakers, which I bought, are Mizuno Wave Rider 9s. I do not like the Wave Riders. My foot slides around in the shoe no matter how I tie the laces and no matter what socks I wear with it. It’s just not worth dealing with the shin pain.

I’ve also learned what “bonking” is. I bonked hard on the 20 mile run. I felt GREAT for at least 16 miles. After that it wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad. During mile 19 it started getting bad. Mile 20 was nearly impossible. I WALKED TWICE in the last mile. I would have thought that I could have toughed it out for the last mile but I could not do it. The only other times I walked were at mile 7 to eat, mile 12 to eat, and at each hour because I was forced to reset the treadmill. This was the longest I’ve ever run both in both time and distance. I have 2 more 20 mile runs planned before the race but nothing longer than that. On that last 20 mile run I hope that I can run it with the confidence that I have for 13-15 miles right now. If I can do that I won’t be nearly as worried about the marathon.