August 11, 2013

A run for pizza

I was dreading today's run all week long. I was scheduled to run 15 miles, and the last time I ran that far was during the Detroit Marathon in October. I've always bumped up my long runs gradually, but since I'm following the Hansons' method for marathon training, I'm just doing what the schedule says. Last week was just 10 miles, and then today it jumped up to 15!

I was feeling really nervous about it. I planned to run a five-mile loop from my house three times. I headed out the door at 7:45, and it was pretty cool outside--thank goodness! Just a quarter mile in, I completely changed my plans for my route. I did my usual out-and-back route, only I just ran the "out" part. Then I found some detours to take on the way home, through places I haven't run before, so it was pretty interesting.

I kept my pace much slower than last week, because I wanted to maintain a consistent pace for the whole 15 miles. Last week, I ran an 8:30-something mile pace, and that was very unrealistic for this distance today. I just ran comfortably, which ended up being a 9:30-ish pace, and very consistent throughout the run.

I wound up back at my house at mile nine, so I planned to do two three-mile loops from my house after that. The second loop would take me past my parents' house twice, so I decided to do that one last (I could stop for water if needed). Before heading out on the first three-mile loop, I stopped for about 15 seconds and gulped down some water on my porch.

I know that drinking more than a couple of sips at a time while running causes me stomach cramps, but I couldn't help it; it's so hard when I'm thirsty not to down the whole bottle. I drank probably 8 oz., and my stomach started cramping almost immediately when I started running again. Oh, well.

I was back at my house at mile 12, so I stopped again for a little water. When I reached mile 12.5, my legs really started to feel heavy. I was definitely ready to be done! I reached my parents' house at mile 13, so I grabbed a cold water from their fridge. I drank a few ounces, and dumped some of it on my head and neck--that felt great! I looped around their neighborhood, and was back at their house at mile 14. I probably could have gone without another stop, but I'd left the bottle at the end of their driveway, so I just grabbed it, chugged it down, and ran home with the empty bottle.

My stomach was really cramping the last mile, but I was so glad that I was almost done, that I ignored it. I hit my driveway right at mile 15. I finished!



Next time, I'm going to wear my Camelbak vest. Today, I didn't bother carrying water with me because I knew I'd be going past my house a few times (as well as my parents' house). But to avoid getting too thirsty (and drinking too much too fast), I'm better off bringing water with me. 

I hurried to take a shower and head out the door, because I wanted to go to church this morning. My mom told me that she was asked to speak and share her testimony, so I wanted to be there for the second service. I got dressed and rushed out the door, and arrived just as church was starting. It kind of blew my mind that I had run 15 miles before church started on a Sunday morning!

My stomach was really upset, and I was worried I was going to have to rush out of the sanctuary. I knew it was from gulping down all the water, because my stomach always cramps when I do that. The oh-no-I-have-to-go-to-the-bathroom-right-now feeling was coming in waves. I tried to make it through the whole service, but once my mom was done speaking, I ended up leaving. When I got home, I just laid on the couch for about an hour, waiting for the cramping to pass.

Jerry really wanted to go to Menard's to start planning out a garage. He's been wanting a garage ever since we moved in here 10 years ago, and last year we bought the property next to us at an auction, so we have the room to build one now. He's hoping to start working on it in the spring.

The kids were disappointed that we didn't have "Pizza Friday", so we told them that we'd have pizza today instead, since Jerry was off work. Menard's is in Toledo, and just a few miles away is Pizza Papalis, a restaurant known for their Chicago-style pizza. It's 13 PP per slice for a small, so it's not very often that we eat it; but what better day to indulge than when I ran 15 miles?

It takes nearly an hour to bake the deep dish pizza, and I was absolutely starving by that time. My stomach was feeling much better and ready to eat! It was totally worth the wait when it came out, though.


After that, I wanted nothing more than to go home, put on my pajamas, and curl up on the couch to relax... and here I sit :)  I feel great for getting my 15-miler done! It honestly wasn't as tough as I was expecting. I thought the last four miles or so would be killer, but it went pretty well.

18 comments:

  1. I don't understand how the training plan you are following suggests a high of 10 miles one week to a high of 15 miles the very next week? I has always thought a 10% increase max was the way to build mileage for fear or damaging knees etc? Isn't such a drastic increase so quickly a potential for injury?
    Maybe it's different for trail running?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was one issue I thought about when I first saw the program, too. Honestly, I'm not sure for the reasoning behind it. In my RRCA class, we were taught that the 10% rule is for weekly mileage, not necessarily the long runs. But even the weekly mileage on the Hansons' plan jumps around quite a bit. I think I may e-mail them to find out what the thought is behind that.

      Delete
  2. When did you start Hanson's method for marathon training? Have you ever used another method for marathon training before- if so - is it a lot different than the Hanson's method? What week are you into now? Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This will be my third marathon, but my first time doing the Hansons' method. It's very different from what I'm used to, but I like it so far!

      Delete
  3. You're a superstar!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You look so great after your long run! If I run even 5km I get bright red and really really sweaty, lucky thing =)

    engineer-by-day.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. 15 miles in 2:21. That's what I hope to get a half in! Amazing speed!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are a rock star! That's a big jump in mileage - and you made the leap of faith! I can't wait to hear how the training pans out on race day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 15 miles is AWESOME!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are such a happy and wonderful person Katie! I love reading your blog and today's post especially- it just gives me HOPE! I am a beginner runner- totally doing the couch25k program and I end up a sweaty mess after 2 miles (moving these 210 lbs isn't easy!), but I am trying! Keep up the awesome work and just know that you are such a rolemodel to so many people- like me! Ann Hatch

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awesome job on your run. I like how you can "freestyle" while on your run. I'm so committed to my route when I head out and I'm afraid I'll have to run extra or do a little loop around my neighborhood at the end to hit my goal. The horror! ;)

    That pizza looks absolutely delicious and very well deserved!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Im curious what does all your family think of your huge weightloss and the fact your now a runner?

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm sure someone has asked this before, but... why do you always stop the garmin at xx.01? Like every time you post the screenshot, your 4 or 5 or 15 or whatever runs are always 4.01, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't believe anyone has ever asked me that before! I guess it's because I don't run with my finger on the button, waiting to press "stop"; I just run until I hear the beep, which may be a few seconds before I reach my driveway, so I just stop it when I reach that point. I am very good at estimating my distances, but not perfect :)

      Delete
    2. Haha! And here I thought it was some strategic thing! When I'm running, I'm still at the point where I'm literally DYING for that number to click from .99 to 1.00 :)

      Delete
  12. I love that you ran 15 miles before church!! That's awesome!! Great job on the run, and glad you enjoyed the pizza afterwards!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Boom - you nailed 15 miles before church! I was squirming with you as you started getting that crampy feeling at church. I know just what that feels like and you were very brave to go to church after guzzling the water!

    ReplyDelete

I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

Featured Posts

Blog Archive