Long Run

Hello Fans, April 18, 2004

I have just reclaimed my "CRAZY" label. This was my first weekend off in month, so I finally get to join up with the Sunday Run Club. Sundays are the long slow runs that are very useful/helpful in endurance training. Today's plan was to do 8Km (run for 10min walk 1 min and repeat) I finished that off in 55 min @ 6.8 min/KM pace and was feeling really good and happy with myself because the furthest I had ran before this was 6 Km straight @ 5.4 min / Km pace.

Some of Team X (a training group I hang out with) were there and a bunch of people were going for more with the only rule that you could only turn back at a Marker (#Km are painted on the side of the path) I was feeling really good and they told me it was even a slower pace than what we just did.

"Um well, Ok what the hell I have the day off" I said. we started out with about 12 people and each marker 1 or 2 turned back. The conversation is always lively and entertaining but what's said on the trail stays on the trail :) We got to the 3Km (11 total) marker and we had one of our walk breaks and my legs instantly felt like jelly. Jim, Jamie, and Lisa all kept an eye on me and noticed I wasn't talking much. I asked are my legs suppose to feel like this?? the whole group turned and smiled at me and gave me that Oh this is your first time kind of a look. Jamie piped up and told everyone that they longest run I have done before was 6Km and I am working on a Personal best.

They cheered and I began to think of nothing but waffles. At the 4K Jamie, Lisa, and I turned back and Jim and the last 2 ladies went to the 5K.

I have learned a new language called listen to your body. The last 2.5Km of the run I felt much like I did on the Blueberry Pass last year. In short not good. My body was talking on a whole new level of swearing at me. The age old question "writing checks your body can't cash" was used as well.

We got back to the running room to wait for the other people to arrive, and I felt good that I finished the run without turning into a whiner. My whole body tingled and I could feel a headache coming fast. Once again I asked I am I suppose to feel like this? and a few marathoners that were nearby and Jamie all said you need to eat very soon. Then they said the magic words-- there is an all you can eat breakfast two blocks away. I got directions and staggered there and had 3 big plates of breakfast food no waffles but lots of French toast and crispy bacon and I feel GREAT right now!!!

I can't believe that in January I was worried because we were running for 3 mins then walking for 1 (3&1's) and the group leader thought we were doing 5&1's. Now here I am running 16 km or 10 MILES in 2 hours using 10&1's. I am just amazed at how the body is able to adapt, I have noticed as well I am no longer called "Big Guy" :) its great.

Now why could I have done this in high school :) !!!!

Cheers

Randy