A few weeks back, MCM Mama and I were having a conversation on Facebook (because isn't that where everyone has important conversations nowadays?). And she mentioned that she was thinking of hosting a virtual race. She had planned on offering a couple of distances, including a 40K for, and I quote, "crazy people like you."
I took it as a complement and instantly agreed to run the 40K. I mean, it made sense. I'm marathon training right now. And who doesn't love an extra 20+ miler tacked on to their schedule. Then there is the fact that it's virtual, so no pressure. Plus, MCM Mama was flexible about the race date. She allowed (is allowing) racers to fit the event in where it works with their training schedule, which for me was yesterday.
So, here's how it went down. Knowing that I would be deviating from my scheduled 18 miler, I skipped a shorter run this week, so that I could tack the mileage onto my long run and still keep my weekly mileage the same. (I may be crazy, but I am not stupid.)
Up next was planning my route. In order to finish running before the heat arrived, I planned on heading out at 5 a.m. This posed a problem when I was determining my course, since I don't like to leave my neighborhood when I am running alone, in the dark. So, I set up a 10K course that I would repeat four times. This also allowed for a water/fuel stop every 6.2 miles.
I woke up at 4:45, but I had a hard time getting motivated. When I finally got out of bed, I got dressed, (check out my new Back Pocket Sports tank - a review and giveaway are in the works) and grabbed a white chocolate macadamia nut Clif Bar for breakfast.
Then, of course, I had to check my email and Facebook. And before I knew it, my 5 a.m. start became more of a 5:40 a.m. start.
I'd like to say that the run was exciting and super eventful, but that would be a lie. Each loop was pretty much the same. Not shocking, since it was the same loop over and over. Here I am after each of the first three 10k loops.
After the third loop, I couldn't mentally handle the same route again, so since I have an in with the race director, I had the race moved to my treadmill for the last 10K.
And then, a mere 4:26:12 after I started, it was all over. I ran a 40K (or 24.8 miles), just for the fun of it. Yes, I realize I am completely crazy.
But the fun didn't stop there. My post race activities included my first ice bath ...
And a post-run meal consisting of water and a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake cupcake. Delicious ...
And I capped it all off with a trip to the Nike Outlet - which is reason enough for me to run that far.
