Long Runs
The key to training for a marathon is taking a long run once a week and going a little bit further each time. The concept is simple but by the middle of training it can seem a bit intimidating. Right now the furthest I have run is about 9.5 miles. That is no small feat but think of it this way: I am not even half way there! And at the end of that run I was a mess. I hurt my foot in the last mile (I think I am fully recovered now) and for the next several hours everything hurt. My back ached, my shoulders felt like they needed oil from the constant swinging of my arms when I run, and the pain in my legs were so deep that I swore it was coming straight from the bones. I stretched for a bit then just crawled back into bed and felt sorry for myself. That run was demoralizing to say the least.
The crazy part is I couldn’t wait to go out and do better next week. I know the long runs hurt, but they let you know how much better you are getting. With my foot injury though, I limited myself the following Sunday and decided that it would be best not to run further than I did the week before. I hit the track and finished 9 miles. Of course, all that pain came back (thankfully that foot pain was not nearly as bad) but I still felt accomplished (thank you runners high). This week I am going to try for 11 miles. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
~Andrew
