I am dreading this Saturday

So this Saturday is our 18-mile run.  After the 16-mile run and the way I hit the wall on the hills I am completely dreading this weekend.  According to our coach, 18 miles is the big test - if you can do 18 miles you can do a marathon.  My feeling is if you can do 26 miles, you can do a marathon.  If you do 18, that still means you have 8 miles left.  Oh boo hoo.  I'm just praying I can get through this weekend.   

I feel I'm at least better prepared for this run.  The week before the 16-mile marathon, my calf was bothering me and I only got one maintenance run in that week.  Plus, I was covering for my friend at work so instead of my normal 10am-6pm shift, I was working 6:30am-2:30pm which threw my body clock off completely for the week.  I was constantly tired.  Not to mention the fact that my sister was visiting that week so we spent a lot of time doing some fine dining: so lack of sleep, lack of running and eating richer foods than I usually eat probably had an effect on the 16-mile run.  At least I hope that's what it was.  Either way, I'm not looking forward to this weekend.

Oh, and we have to meet an hour earlier.  Usually we meet at 7am but this week we're meeting at 6.  That is just ungodly.  They decided to move the start time up because of the hellish weather we've been having in Southern California.  On Monday, we had record-breaking temperatures of 113 degrees.  113!  While it hasn't been that hot this week, the temperatures are still going to be in the 90s and dry this weekend so we're going to avoid the heat by starting in the dark.  Maybe I'll get bit by a coyote.  Good times.

I really don't like running.  I just don't.  I keep waiting for that to change but I don't think it ever will.  But I made this commitment and too many people have have been incredibly supportive and generous with their donations so I have to keep at it.  And I can't forget the people I'm really running for.  I have to say I do enjoy the feeling when it's over but that's not so much a feeling of accomplishment as much as it's a feeling of "thank God I survived."  But I'll take my victories any way I can get them.

Wish me luck.  God knows I need it.

16 Miles. Damn Near Killed Me.

So last Saturday, the 11th, we did 16 miles.  I was worried about it and with good reason.

First, I only got in one run during the week.  On Morning night, I did my usual 3.5 mile maintenance run and when I took my first step, something pulled in my left calf.  I did the run (which was probably a mistake) but the rest of the week, it kept cramping up so I decided to rest it and not run anymore until Saturday. 

Friday night, I iced it up and massaged it and stretched it out and by Saturday morning, I felt fine.  And for the first 9.5 miles of the run, I was doing great.  Then we hit the hill.  I started up it fine and then after a couple of minutes, it was like I ran into a brick wall.  I finally just walked it.  The funny thing was, my calf felt great.  But my left knee and hip were bothering me so I just kind of limped up the rest of the way, then started running again on the downhill side.  Then we turned around and guess what - same damn hill - just in the other direction.  And it wasn't any easier the second time.  I had to walk it again.  I ran again on the downhill side and made it through the 16 miles but man, talk about wounded pride.  I felt horrible afterwards.

The good news is I found out I can walk a mile uphill in about 16 minutes.  The bad news is I gotta start incorporating more hills into my solo runs but I live in the San Fernando Valley and it is F-L-A-T.  I gotta figure out some places to run uphill in the mornings.  But at least I made it. 

This week is a recovery run.  Only 8 miles.  Only - never thought I'd ever say that about running.

Here's this week's video.  And if you haven't contributed or you know someone who wants to contribute please go to my AIDS Marathon Home Page and make a donation.  Any amount helps someone in need.

Thanks for all the amazing support.