The worst 14
Posted By Jon on September 24, 2005
Not that I run 14 miles very often, but those were terrible. I felt awful. I ached everywhere, my legs were lead, and I was fighting to keep a 10 minute pace. It was just dreadful. I had a serious internal discussion about “why the heck and I doing this”.
Maybe I didn’t fuel up well the night before. Usually I have pasta the night before the long run just out of tradition but I didn’t last night. And I got to bed late. It was such a short run compared to the 18, that it didn’t seem like it would be so hard. I could think of alot of excuses but the simple truth is that the run just sucked and I didn’t have it in me. Next week needs to be alot better.
And someone told me that maybe I wasn’t “meant to run a marathon”. Grrrrrrrrr. They weren’t a couch potato at least. And they might read this. Don’t care. Note to self: no more talking about running to those folks. I’m not winning the damn marathon, but neither are they. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t “meant” to run it. Nice that people are keeping an eye on my destiny for me.
Trying not to be angry about it. I’m going through alot of soul searching lately, trying to get a handle on what I want/need to do with the next 60 years of my life. There’s alot of things I need to do right now to change my direction. I need a 90 day plan, 1 year plan, and a 5 year plan.
I need a Chris Brogan plan. Tell me that guy doesn’t have the plan. He decides what he wants, makes a plan, and just goes to it. Sometimes he doesn’t make it, but that’s part of the plan. Reevaluate, adapt, adjust, new plan, go! I don’t have that. I’m not a planner. I’m a dreamer. Damn. But I’m still running the f-ing marathon.
Back to the run.
I put vaseline on my toes this time to help fight the toenail destruction. I think Deene suggested that. It seems to be working, or at least things didn’t looked additionally bruised after the run. My little toe on the left side seemed to like it because usually I can feel it getting caught under the toe next to it when I run.
I brought my juju fish to try out as a running snack. They are softer than gummy fish, more like a gumdrop. They worked so-so. The pieces still stick to my teeth or I choke on them and need to get some water to eat them with. I tried letting them dissolve in my mouth but it was hard to breath open mouthed and do that. Eating while running is just an issue I think. And to be honest, all I could think about was that chicken and potato thing that Rachel posted. I bought chicken tenders tonight and I need to pick up the other ingredients tomorrow. I can’t eat it on the run, but I’m having some time this week for certain.
I passed my “running partner” on the way out, he warned me about a yellow lab and a rotweiler that were outside looking for runners to eat. Speaking of that, a three year-old-boy that we know was attacked by a rotweiler in town while walking to the library with his mother a few days ago. She was carrying an infant as well, when the dog came out of his yard and began circling the three of them. A passing truck saw it happening and stopped to chase the dog, but it had already torn up the boy pretty bad before getting kicked in the head.
Apparently, there had been three complaints about the dog, one earlier in the week. The cops have the dog now and hopefully it will be killed along with the owner. What the heck kind of lunatic has a dog like that in town, unchained, unfenced? Our kids aren’t even safe to walk on the sidewalk with their parents anymore.
I noticed that almost all the dogs were inside today when I was running. The ones that were not, were on leashes or being restrained by their owners, which was really odd for my end of the township. Worried your dog might get sent to the gas chamber? You’d better be.
Oh yeah, 4 more weeks til the marathon. 1 more week until the taper. I can’t wait. :)
Sorry to hear that the 14 sucked. We all have those runs somedays and it always leads to the “why the @!%^ am I doing this” dialogue. Hate that. As for the %$#hole (I’m in a profane mood,sorry) who told you maybe you weren’t meant to run a marathon…what is that? Don’t let anyone tell you what you were meant to do. Ahhhhh…that $%@# makes me crazy! And the plan thing…adapt,improvise and overcome…
that’s it! And don’t ever stop dreaming,,,
You’ll make it. When I signed up for my first marathon in college one of my “friends” told me I would never have enough time to train. Turns out (she told me later in an act of repentance) she had always wanted to do one and was jealous I was out there doing it. [She has since completed three-all in fast time than me-and yes, that makes me bitter.] After her, my parents were the largest force in my life for a couple of years telling me to stop running. (I kept doing it and I think they’re used to it now). So yeah, it’s most important to believe in yourself-b/c you can’t always count on other people to do it for you. Sounds like you know that though. I’m glad you recognize that YOU are in charge of you.
That is insane about the dog. How HORRIBLE. Absolutely horrible.
I’m glad you’re back running even if it wasn’t fabulous.
That kind of comment would have even *me* using the f-word Jon. Instead listen to us: you were not only meant to run the marathon, you will rock ‘n roll. You will finish and feel so accomplished. And we will cheer and love it, right along with you. Don’t let the 14 get you down. You know how runs vary from day to day…and so many factors affect them. Keep New Haven in your head and run like we are all there with you. We are!
Don’t listen to anyone that says you might not be cut out for a marathon. When I was training for my first marathon, this female owner of a running store said to me very sarcastically, “What possessed YOU to run a marathon.” Needless to say, I stopped frequenting her store and it eventually went out of business. (By the way, I have passed her in all of the races we have both been in.) If someone is not giving you positive feedback and advice, ignore them. Keep running! You are doing great!!
You go, Jon! I eventually hope to do a marathon, too. There will always be naysayers. Yikes! But I know you can do it! kirsten
I’m telling you- try the sour gummi worms- they are very soft and you don’t have to chew them- the generic kind are the best.
You’ll do it! Just don’t listen to the !@#$#@! crap some ((&^&&^( is trying to tell you because the %^*^%(*&^ can’t even begin to run a maraton!
Jon you’ll survive the marathon, I have complete faith in you. It will not be easy, but you will DO IT! Just remember not to go out too fast, you can believe me, Jack, he who does not listen to the advice that he gives others. I KNOW how deadly it can be. Just go and have a good time. You can go to win the next time. I tried that on my second (or at least based on my pace), it didn’t work, but it was a good plan ;-) And I’m looking forward to Marathon III!
Just a few things…
1) It sounds like you’re ready for the taper. Your body will probably do well with the rest before the big push in the race.
2) I totally hear you about the dogs. Back when I used to run on the sidewalks I would get so upset when these yards went right up to the sidewalk, and the dogs would be barking their brains out right at me. Even with the fence there I always had to dodge out of the way. I was always fantasizing about coming back at night with a little “surprise” for the dogs. But anyway…
3) I tried these “sports beans” today. They’re like jelly beans, but also kind of tasted like those Vitamin C pills I took 20 years ago. They weren’t bad, and certainly easier to eat then ju-jubes.
Don’t get me started on loose dogs. Can’t stand em. Luckily, I’ve made friends with most of them on my familiar runs. I agree with others — a taper is in order, and you’ll probably be just fine. I’m trying to decide whether I’ve got the stuff to run the half marathon I signed up for in two weeks.
Chat rooms have “iggy buttons”. To bad real life doesn’t for people who just plain don’t know what they are talking about. The only person who can truthfully say you can’t run a marathon is you. Jon we all know you can do it. No matter how bad this run was you have had countless other great ones. Trust me not all my runs feel great after but heh the great thing is ya got it done!!!
I’m not alone! I did 12 today, and just felt like CRAP the entire time. So glad to see it’s not just me. My plan for this week is to rest up, fuel up on GOOD food (two things I didn’t do a good job on this week), and hope for the best for the 20.
We’ll still make it. Like you said, we won’t be winning, but we’ll still get out there and finish it, dammit.
We all have really bad days, when things don’t click, good news is you got yours out of the way so next weeks 20 miler will be a piece of cake (chocolate obviously). I find sometimes when I have had a deep tissue massage like (ART) it take a few days for my legs to benefit, they sometimes feel worse before they feel better.
What did you tell me, oh …. about seven months ago? The losers are on the couch. OF COURSE you’re meant to run the marathon. Why else would you be putting in all of this work!!?! You’re going to do incredibly, you’re going to inspire everyone who reads your race report to jump up and start training …. and if those people continue to be blatantly rude … well, I think Mark “knows some people” … (wink, wink).
Who would tell you you’re not meant to run a marathon??? What a hater!! You are totally meant to run a marathon AND you’re going to rock it. It sounds like they need to pass out Dazers to all citizens in your town. As a dog owner 100% obsessed with her dog, they make leashes for a purpose and people need to use them. I can’t stand careless dog owners.
Holy cow – if I can do it you can do it! Don’t worry – come race day you’ll be set. I bet you need the taper, like now. You’d be surprised how a little extra rest can supercharge you! It’ll be ok :)
Hmmm… a sucky 14 huh? Well that just means your itching for that twenty and the big one! You hqave done all the work, now enjoy your taper after next week and remember this, you can’t do a whole lot in the llast few weeks to improve but you can do a lot to mess things up! Taper well and eat some chocolate!
Goodness. I was all fired up about the creep who had the nerve to suggest you were or were not meant to do *anything*, then I read the dog thing and I’m just so horrified I can hardly imagine what those poor people went through. Seriously, you need to move into the city!
As a dog owner I just can’t imagine why people own dogs that bite? As a runner, who has been bitten by dogs, I can emphasize with the terror of barking dogs, I still have pTSD around dogs I don’t know. And as a mom….I’m just aghast.
We put down our dog (she was three when we got her and had been abused) when the baby was born because she kept eating his blankets. We took that as a negatory sign.
Dog owners have to be more responsible!! My dogs are rarely on a leash. But they also don’t bite! I can’t imagine standing for that! Grrr. People make me angry
doncha just love people?? and if it’s not people mouthing off about stuff they no NOTHING about (see Stephanie’s run in with the shoe guy), it’s DOGS!
Tell me why we do this again?? :)
Good luck!
holy,, I hope that dog is shot and the owner goes to jail.. That is insane, gosh I feel for that mother holding a child and trying to protect the other one,,,,
Hey I would say your following your plan pretty darn good. The way you sailed through the 20k with all the RBF,, talking all the way,, hey I think you could have done the marathon then!!!
Heather
Hey, thanks for this – glad to know that I’m not alone in being completely and totally frustrated at this point. I won’t blow sunshine – plenty of others did that.
But I will say thanks.
Like Rob Schenider’s character in “The Waterboy” – Ewe can doit!
Jon, Jon, don’t lose hope. The thing is, you did 18 miles last weekend. It’s no surprise that you’re not entirely recovered from that. I remember the week after my first 18 miler, I cried after that walk because it was so hard and I thought it would be easy. This is just your bod saying, hey, you did 18 miles last weekend, you’re hardcore, and yeah, you’re still feeling it.
Like everyone else has said, the doubter is an idiot. You know, that and a buck fifty will buy you a cup of coffee.
Loose dogs suck. As does that doubter. Continue to kick ass, Jon, you’re doing great.
OMG, I stop reading your blog for a little while b/c I’m up to my eyeballs in work and all of a sudden you’re running a marathon?! You GO, dude! I am so proud of you!