I have done one marathon in my life. It was on the bucket list, and I did it. At the time, I thought maybe I'd do a marathon every other year, and Andrew (IronEx aka Coach Andrew) would do Ironman races in the alternate years. Fun plan, right? Every year one of us would train and both of us would go to fun destinations to cheer for each other.
Except every time I tried to train for another marathon, I crapped out within the first few weeks. I soon realized that I really did not have the mental capacity to train for a marathon. Nor the interest, quite frankly. So instead, I started concentrating on triathlons, half marathons, and other fun stuff.
Except I know I could do better if I did another one.
No, nope, no thanks. Don't wanna.
Except yesterday I found this. And I can't stop thinking about it.
SAN DIEGO ROCK & ROLL MARATHON
June 2005
RACE RECAP
Waiting for the starting gun: Anxious, excited, and ready to go.
Still waiting: Sweet! One of my favorite songs is playing! (Right Here, Right Now by Fatboy Slim)
The gun!: It took 2 minutes to get to the start line, but once we got there we started a slow jog. There were so many people that we couldn’t go much faster at first. And awesomely, the song playing is now Beautiful Day by U2!
Mile 1: Feeling good! A little faster than I planned on going, but so far, so good.
Miles 2-4: Same as Mile 1. Feeling good, doing about 9:40 to 9:50 per mile.
Miles 5-8: Slowing down a little bit, but still feeling strong. This isn’t bad at all!
Miles 9-13: The crowd isn’t as thick, and we’re going at about my goal pace of 10 minutes per mile, maybe a little slower. Perfect.
Mile 13.1: Wow! Halfway done! Right now we’re at 2:13:56. If we keep up this pace, I’ll meet my dream goal of 4.5 hours!
Miles 14-18: It’s starting to hurt a little, and I’m definitely slowing down. But that’s OK. I expected as much.
Miles 19-20: I definitely miscalculated my long run in training. My 20-miler was more like an 18.5-miler, because I don’t remember feeling this bad during or after it. But there’s my TTES coach! She says I look good! I know she’s lying, but I’ll take any encouragement I can get right now.
Miles 21-22: Someone please kill me now. I’m serious. Just shoot me.
Mile 22.5 or so: Andrew ducked into the bushes. I. Can’t. Run. Another. Step. I am now walking.
Mile 22.51: Drat him! He’s back already! And he’s holding my hand and encouraging me to, what?, run????? Are you joking? I’m done. Didn’t you hear me? I can’t run anymore. I’ll just wait here on the side of the road until someone comes by with a car. I don’t care if it’s not until tomorrow. That’s fine. Leave me alone now.
Mile 23: Why won’t he leave me alone? I want to WALK, dammit! Not run!
Mile 24: Oh, the pain!!!!!! Every joint in my lower body hurts — hips, knees, and ankles — plus my right elbow is bothering me so I’m now running with my arms straight down by my sides.
Mile 25: Mile 25! Only 1.2 miles to go! Let’s finish this #&* thing!!!!!! Suddenly I get a burst of adrenaline and speed. I’m positively inspired!
Mile 25.5ish: We’re now in the Marine base. There are people everywhere. I never saw the sign for Mile 26, so I don’t know how close the finish line is. Gotta keep running.
Mile 26.1: I hear music! Beautiful music! It’s Where the Streets Have No Name by U2! Bono is calling me to the finish line! I. Can. Do. This.
Mile 26.2: I DID IT! I RAN A MARATHON! I AM A MARATHONER!!!!!
Oh boy. Am I seriously considering this????
3 comments:
Yep, your nuts!!!
Funny. I just read this. Maybe we should train for Nike Women's next year and meet there. :) I know. it is so temping and then reality hits. Reading this makes me want to go ahead and do mine but I again...I am in this funk so I don't know if I have it in me. Man, the things we put ourselves through. :)
It's just another race...just longer than most. You can do it. Heck, I am already thinking about the next Ironman I am going to do...that is much crazier than your idea.
Post a Comment