So I did it! I completed an 18-mile run.
On a treadmill.
It took FOUR hours.
Yes, I do know that I may be completely and utterly insane. I’m sure most of the South Pasadena YMCA thought the same thing, especially when I started popping the gummy bears in my mouth and reaching down for yet another bottle of water I had in my bag (I went through 4).
Did you know that the treadmill will not let you run for any longer than 60 min. before it goes into an automatic “cool down” mode? I didn’t either. So I ended up having to re-start 4 times.
I’m happy to say that listening to The Time Travlers Wife on audiobook saved the day. I could not have done this run without it. Really the only reason I made it through the entire period was the nagging feeling that I know I would experience all weekend if I didn’t just get the dang thing over with. (I have old friends I haven’t spent time with in ages coming into town and I’d rather not worry about running).
I’m a little less happy to report that I have a heat rash all over my face (this has been a reaccuring thing, it lasts two days after any run over 12-miles), I think I’m allergic to my own sweat actually, and let’s not get started on the chaffing. My gawd!
The walking thing isn’t really happening very well today either. I’m hoping to feel and look better tomorrow. Basically my body is telling me, “this is not normal, please stop.” But I’ve never been a very good listener.
I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to get an 18-miler done if I didn’t do it this week. I have a pretty packed schedule in September and my goal is to get two 20-mile runs in before my race.
The Station Fire has really put a damper on my training schedule. Because of this set-up I don’t think I’m going to run the half marathon training race and instead I’m going to do a 20-miler that weekend.
Luckily things are looking up , the weather is going to get much cooler in the coming days, and the air quality, while not great, is better, so I’m hoping I can get outside again for my runs soon.
Because I don’t want to see that treadmill again for a long time!
