Running in Circles with Big Feet

Today is Saturday, aka Long Run Day. When training for a marathon, one should run three short runs (no more than 6 miles at a time) and one Long Run (which is typically a weekend day, and it can get up to 21 miles). The Long Run starts at 3 miles and then gradually increases up to 21 miles. The 21-miler should be about one month before the marathon, and after the 21-miler, the Long Runs begin to taper down gradually in order to heal well before the Big Race.

Today was our group's 21-miler, but I originally planned on only doing 16 miles. Remember,I said I haven't been training nearly as much as I should and therefore knew that doing 21 miles would be painful, and I wanted to save the pain for the marathon. Plus, the last time I ran was two weeks ago and it was only 1/5 miles, and the time before that was a week prior to THAT and it was 15 miles. So, my running has been sporadic and I haven't had a run over 16 miles since June.

When I got to Memorial Park, however, I decided to try the 21 miles (keep in mind the difference between 21 miles and 15 miles is 6 miles - a large gap). I don't like the 21-mile route because it goes through River Oaks and I'd rather run next to cars than large houses that I can't afford (plus the chances of being chased by a dog in River Oaks is far greater). Hating the route, I altered my path. I ended up doing 3 laps around Memorial Park (at 3 miles per lap) and then ann additional 11 miles outside of the park. Yes, I did 20 miles. If the heat wasn't so horrific, I would've done 21.

How do I feel now? Not too bad. I definitely feel a lot better than the last 21-miler (for the San Diego marathon). My legs are a bit sore and stiff, but by far a lot less than last time. Only my feet hurt bad. My little pinky toes are purple and extremely sore to the touch - I will be wearing flip-flops for a couple of days.

Running around Memorial Park is interesting. Memorial Park is the runner's haven of Houston, and this time of the year guarantees marathon trainers of all ages, sizes and abilities running around like the crazy people they are. After a while, you see the same faces over and over as they breeze past you (or zip, depending on how fast they are and how slow you are). Some wear the same outfit (hopefully washing them in between uses), some wear stuff they shouldn't, some bring their dogs, some are so fit they make you jealous. And then they become nodding buddies - we recognize each other a nod hello (because sometimes talking takes too much energy). And then there's the time you see people you actually know... but then each of you are sweating like crazy and ignore each other because of embarrassment. :)

Random thought: running 20 miles mean you can eat whatever you want for the rest of the day. So I ate Raising Cane's for dinner (yes, there's one here in Houston - yum!!!) and then I went to Coldstone Creamery for my favorite ice cream-of-the-moment: their homemade cheesecake ice cream with fresh strawberries. YUMM!!!

So, if you love food as much as I do, train for and run a marathon.