20 mile race recap

[sassystace]

Yesterday I ran my farthest to-date, a 20 mile race.  It was a stepping stone of sorts as I've done several halfs and am planning my first full in the fall. It was a local 20 mile point-to-point race with about 300 people, dropping 700 feet over the 20 miles.  They sold it as "all downhill." LOL.

I went into the race nursing a sore hip (took the week off before the race and massaged, stretched, iced, etc.) and never getting beyond 14 miles for my long run (I had a 16 miler planned but had to cut it short due to the hip). I ran with my cousin the first 10 miles and made good time with the first 5 miles at 9:xx pace and the next 5 miles in the 10:xx range.  I knew I was going out too fast but really liked having company. At mile 10, I told my cousin to go on without me and slowed down the pace.  By this point it was getting sunny and hot and my pace fell considerably for the second half, but besides some cramping, I was okay and finished with a lot of walking and shuffling.  And the best part is that my hip didn't bother me much at all.  [I'm just kinda stiff all over my legs today]

Anyway, I joked that I would be calling family to come pick me up somewhere along the route.  But all joking aside, I did it! And finished under my goal time at 3:42.  The last 3 miles weren't pretty, but I finished strong enough that my future marathon (with proper training) seems like the next logical step! 

Logical and marathon should probably not go in the same sentence!

[sassystace]

Apr 14, 2014 12:52:23 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Woohoo! Congrats on your excellent race!! 20 miles is no joke. How are you feeling today?

Thanks!  I am pretty happy about yesterday.  From my knees to my hips, my legs are pretty stiff.  I think my quads are really sore from the downhill, although I never really noticed when we were running downhill.  And I'm just beat tired.  Is it nap time yet?!

[cinco]

Congrats on beating your goal! You are definitely marathon ready whenevr you decide to train for one!

[kams]

Fantastic job!! If you can train for and run a 20 miler, you can train for and run a marathon if you want to!

[thom]

Congratulations!! 20 miles is a big deal. Hope your recovery goes well, and good luck with marathon training. If you go do 20, you can absolutely conquer the marathon, too. Which marathon are you thinking?

[Deleted]

Congrats on the 20 miler!!! You should consider running Detroit in the fall. Just saying.

[lovesherheels]

What an awesome job! Congratulations to you!!

[bostonmichelle]

Congratulations!

[sassystace]

Apr 14, 2014 14:41:37 GMT -5 thom said:

Congratulations!! 20 miles is a big deal. Hope your recovery goes well, and good luck with marathon training. If you go do 20, you can absolutely conquer the marathon, too. Which marathon are you thinking?

I am already signed up for the Columbus (Ohio) Marathon in October.  I've done the half and know that the full is a flat, well done race with lots of fans and scenic stops (including Ohio Stadium) along the way.

[sassystace]

Apr 14, 2014 14:49:21 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Congrats on the 20 miler!!! You should consider running Detroit in the fall. Just saying.

This is the one that goes into Canada and back?  I already am signed up for Columbus in October but it doesn't seem like marathoners are ever satisfied with just one...

[Deleted]

Apr 14, 2014 19:53:10 GMT -5 sassystace said:

Apr 14, 2014 14:49:21 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Congrats on the 20 miler!!! You should consider running Detroit in the fall. Just saying.

This is the one that goes into Canada and back?  I already am signed up for Columbus in October but it doesn't seem like marathoners are ever satisfied with just one...

Hehe yes! You run across the Ambassador bridge at sunrise. Seriously, it's breathtaking. Then you run a few miles in Canada and then back into the US through the tunnel (underwater mile!). It's really a neat race. The half also does this, so if you're up for another half then, consider it! I'm happy to give you the rundown, and I'm planning to volunteer for that one, cyclist support if I can.

[agswife]

Nice job!

[shauni27]

congratulations! Sounds like you are right on track for a solid full this fall!

[shellfish26]

That's amazing! I feel like that would be such a huge mental boost to see that number.