A 2-Day Marathon

My combined mileage running on Saturday and Sunday was a bit greater than the marathon. It took therefore about 26-1/2 hours to run the 26.2 miles. Unfortunately on Marathon Monday, they stop the Marathon officially after 6 hours...so 2 days doesn't quite work.

I ran Saturday due to a schedule glitch on my part, showing up for my group run Saturday, which was scheduled for Sunday this week...oops. But I was near Boston on one of the warmest days of the year so far...why waste it. So I took the flat course by the river I used to run all the time I lived in Cambridge...10.3 miles. I only hope I didn't deplete my reserves, knowing I had a much longer run the next day.

 

Sunday

Same starting point different direction: run the 2+ miles to get to the actual Marathon course, and head in reverse for 8 miles, then turn around and run back through the toughest part of the course: the Newton Hills, around 4 miles where 3+ hills await, once you've spent your energy reserves.

 

I was running with a small group on the way out. Talking and keeping about a 9 min pace on the way out, both of which probably were spending my energy greater than my usual loner running. I paid for it when returning through the Newton Hills, where I slowed to a crawl, especially finishing up the final heartbreak hill.

 

About 18.5 miles in I started seeing the spots/aura I had 2 weeks earlier. I stopped running at 3 hours and about 19 miles, even though I hadn't completed the return. This was a pre-run plan because of the "spot-seeing" 2 weeks earlier. I did run/walk back to the starting point at the Mount Auburn club. Where I replenished with bagels, fruit, yogurt and juice. But there was no doubt I was wiped out. On top of that there were a couple places on me where my own clothes rubbed my skin off. Very painful in the shower...think sunburn.

 

Our trainer thinks I have to keep an eye on my fluid, electrolytes/salts, and glucose/sugar levels. Perhaps I'm hitting a wall of sorts as I get up into these mileages. The total number of miles seem close to being able to complete a marathon...but there is so far to go.

 

Our joke is that the spots is a pre-historic human defense mechanism: Your body telling you, "Hey, if you've been running for 17-18 miles, and if you haven't gotten away from whatever it is that is chasing you, perhaps it's a better idea if you stop and go hide instead."

 

Alright, I should be sleeping; not typing this blog....Goodnight.