This is a guest post from Rob Williams.
Hey everyone. Rob here.
This past Saturday I had to run 20 miles, as I train for the Columbus Marathon.
I wasn’t looking forward to it. Not at all.
This isn’t my first marathon, so I know how the 20 mile training run can punish you. It’s physical and mental torture, and no crowds to help you along.
My training partner, who I will refer to as 2:39 Boston, decided we should run with a group. So 7 am Saturday morning, we met dozens of runners at a local church. They were with Bob Roncker’s Running Spot. It’s really Cincinnati’s best source when it comes to running shoes and marathon advice.
It was a beautiful slightly chilly morning. After July and August, the weather was like seeing an old classmate again after summer break. Actually had a smile on my face as I started tackling the miles. A nervous smile, but a smile nonetheless.
Like the weather, running with the group was a welcome change. The extra company and conversation made time and the miles fly by. Honestly during the run, I kept expecting the bottom to fall out. It really didn’t. It did get tough at mile 15. That’s when the group runners ended their run. 2:39 Boston and I had another 5 miles.
As we headed out, I did start feeling a little sorry for myself. However once we got going, I found my groove. This is until mile 18. I started feeling weak and a little dizzy. At this point I started trailing Boston 2:39 by a few steps. I needed a sports drink. Unfortunately, I forgot to carry money. I ducked into a gas station and told the cashier my predicament. She was sympathetic and gave me a Gatorade. I immediately felt better, and the last 2 miles were relatively easy.
The brutal 20 mile training run is critical when I train for a marathon. This past Saturday I learned it’s not always brutal. I will try to remember that Sunday Oct. 17. Now the last 6.2 miles. That could be a different story.
Rob – I did my first 20 miler of the program last weekend as well. I heartily concur with the feeling of running with a group. My trick is to do enough miles early so I can finish with the group. a running buddy and I did 8 first then we linked up with everyone else. I am envious of your 7:00 start time. the lunatics i run with think starting at 5:00 a.m. (on a Saturday) is normal.
the cool weather and great friends make the long one not so long! good luck on the rest of your training.
I did my 20 miler this morning. Unfortunately, it really did kick my butt. I’m sore and achy now. I’m thinking my last 6.2 will be mostly walking! This is my first marathon so I will just be glad to finish. Such a nice cool day today, we started about 8:30 am to let breakfast settle. Pardon me, I need to go take more aspirin now!
I may be out of the ordinary but I look forward to my 20 milers because they are a gauge for how I will do at the marathon. The times I have done poorly in my marathon preparation, my 20 milers have stunk. This year I have done 3 20 milers and one more left. I had to cut one short because it was too hot. But each time, I have felt progress. I did one yesterday and felt great afterwards (greater than I have before after 20 that is). I am hoping it translates in to a great marathon. But I definitely don’t like running with people.