Yesterday morning, G and I set out on our first 18 miler of this training cycle. (We are ignoring the fact that I ran a 24.8 mile run two weeks ago. That was a race, albeit virtual.) Anyway, we embarked on our longest training run this summer at the ever-so-lovely hour of 5:40 a.m. Triple L (Long Legs Leslie) joined us for the first 12, then sent G and me on our merry way. And although I failed to take a single picture, the run was quite eventful. Some things were good. And some were less than good. Here are my take aways - Wins vs. Losses:
Win: I look super cute in lime green and yellow. My outfit was stellar (as was G's) and was commented on by random people along the route.
Loss: No matter how BRIGHT my outfit may have been (and it was), people will still attempt to hit you with their cars.
Win: G and I now have three different six mile routes from the same starting point, giving us tons of options for our mid week runs once school starts again.
Loss: Running three different six mile routes from the same starting point to make up an 18 miler is a bad idea. You end up having to pass your car constantly and thus have to fight the urge to cut the run short.
Win: This 18 miler brought be to over 1,100 miles on the year and 48 miles on the week. A new record in both departments.
Loss: 48 miles is a lot. And my legs are tired. And I have 50 on the schedule for this week.
Win: G is notorious for planning hilly routes. This is going to be a huge benefit if I am ever handed a hilly race course.
Loss: G is notorious for planning hilly routes. This makes my legs really tired and sometimes makes me want to punch her for her cruelty.
Win: My long run pace has been consistently faster than my current marathon PR pace. Like significantly faster.
Loss: My long run pace has been consistently faster than what my training calls for. I suck at slowing down.
What did your long run teach you this week?
30 comments:
Doing mine this morning, so I will let you know!
Like the format of this post. How true that something that is a win can also be a loss!
Great post! On my long run this weekend I learned that I should really plan ahead when I plan a route, and not think that I sort of know how the route is...I got lost...big time. But hey, at least I didn't really plan on running extra miles; it just happened. ;)
I so understand this. Love the format. It is a battle of win vs loss.
Win- finished my 'long' run for the week 12 miles in 12 sec faster than hoping for
Loss-headache and side stitch.
Win- the weather broke it was only 50
I love this quote :
“Frustration is the first step towards improvement. I have no incentive to improve if I’m content with what I can do and if I’m completely satisfied with my pace, distance and form as a runner. It’s only when I face frustration and use it to fuel my dedication that I feel myself moving forwards.”
John Bingham quotes
It is always a good thing to learn from our runs!!!
Love your blog by the way.
Christa
Great post. My long run taught me that it is ok to cut is short when you need to from an injury perspective. It isn't giving up, it is being smart.
Great post - congrats on everything in the 'win' category!
ROLLING ON THE FLOOR! Sorry about the hills, it's just my thing. It could have been SO much worse though... really... that was pancake flat compared to our other options. Besides, you KNOW you love Glen G Rd. You KNOW you do.
Hmm ... I guess my long run (a mere 10 miles) taught me that I really really hate running in heat. Also, I suck at hills. On the bright side, it confirmed my ability to finish another half marathon.
Congrats on an eventful run!
My 20 miler sucked at first and then I felt great. It taught me that I can fit it in, when I make it fit in. And I can split it up, if i have to ... and shouldn't feel guilty about it. Shouldn't feel guilty about walking either.
Nice job!
If I had run by my car/apartment three times during my long run on Sunday? I would have stopped. Way to rock an 18 miler...it sounds like you're going to crush your next marathon!
My run taught me I'd rather run in noon day heat/sun than get up early (and my early was nothing compared to your early LOL)
Training question for you -
So what is the danger / disadvantage to running your training runs consistently faster than your plan indicates? Does this mean your plan is off relative to your overall fitness level and your plan should be adjusted or is it better to really slow down??
I haven't had this problem since I re-started running but I used to do this a lot in the past...
My long run taught me that a long run on mountain bike trails, instead of actual mountain trails, is much easier on the body, mostly my quads.
Also, having people with fresh legs join you around mile 12 of 18 will help to keep your pace fresh instead of turning into a humidity induced slog.
Great job on your wins! And sorry to hear about the cars. I have that problem, too and it makes me want to chase them down and smack their forehead.
My long run taught me that I have a heck of of a lot of hill work in my future cause I sucked big time on them Saturday.
Funny post. Brutally honest, punch G in the face! heehee I'm sure after that many miles she may not even feel it.
With my limited opportunity to get in "long" runs I am at a loss to comment. Long for me right now is the occasion 13 miles with the jogger and more often my usual 10 a day in 2 runs...not at all the same. I hope as serious races get closer I will be able to get out for a few longer runs and some trail running but if not I know my conditioning will typically carry me through the distances I am wanting...just not give me the speeds I might like to achieve. However, I am grateful that I can "squeeze" my runs in which ever way I have to and hopefully I will get to a place in life where I have more support/understanding/cooperation from my family to allow me the jogger free running time that long runs require.
awesome run! and your ups and downs made me laugh. :)
Great job! Killer mileage too!! And so true about cars trying to hit you! I swear even with a neon sign over your head wouldn't help! Drivers are so clueless!
Fun post!!
Great job! I applaud running by your car so many times... I'd be tempted to stop. Love bright colored outfits, and yes, people will try to hit you no matter what...
Love the wins VS losses recap. Congrats on your longest official training run this round! It must be a great feeling to see those paces, even if you are *supposed* to be slowing down. ;)
Passing the car repeatedly during a long run would be TOUGH!
My long run this weekend taught me that being sick can take more out of me than I realized... it was a hard one, but nonetheless it's in the books!
Whoo hoo! Great job on the long run and the paces ;)
My long run wasn't so long this weekend (14 miles for a cutback week) but it did make me appreciate the shorter distances and that I may not actually die come race day ;0
Happy Monday!
great job! Love the "win/loss" rankings :)
That I can run more and more each week... even added another .5 for the hell of it... will make 19 seem easy this week.
I learned that Tacoma is scary and hills are the DEVIL... and that miles pass really quickly with a friend who I have not had a run with in weeks.
HOLY MILES!! I did not go about 35 for my Eugene training.. I have to be really careful since I have had 2 knee surgeries.
Great job, great post, very impressed and inspired.
The plus side of having your car every 6 miles is that it's a perfect water refill spot. Doing three loops instead of a long loop or out & back is a good mental game too as it breaks up the run into 3 (instead of, say, 20) chunks. We learned both of these things this weekend!
Great job on the 18!
Hi! My long run taught me that stopping at 3 hours is worth it. I blogged about it today - basically, my plan called for a 20 mile run or 3 hours, whatever comes first. I usually opt to run the miles, despite the time. This time, I decided to listen to the trainer who developed the plan for the charity I'm running for - he says running over 3 hours doesn't reap any benefits, so I did it. I ran 18.5 in 3:04 (so I went a little over). I pushed hard in the last 6 miles, something I may not have done if I ran the full 20. Lesson learned for me!
So where's the photo of this cute outfit?
On my long run... I got my confidence back... after two long races in mid-summer Texas heat where I just couldn't make it (finished, but stopped early to walk), finally I was back in a grove. Almost back to my "good" pace, and able to complete the 10 miles with no issue.
BTW, I think 3L is my twin. I'm also a Lesley, and I definitely have the long legs (with a 34" inseam)... and I also would've left you at mile 12!!! Bwahahahaha.
I agree - hilly routes are cruel and it's hard to run long, slow runs as slow as they're supposed to be run.
Congrats on all the "wins!" My 18 miles taught me that I could actually do it. My longest run yet.
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
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