20 miles behind me
I ran 20 on Sunday and it went very well considering I hadn’t had much sleep. I figured I might as well go out and give it a shot and I can always walk home if I just can’t make it. But I did Ok. It was the first time I ran 20 where I didn’t feel like I wanted to die. I know I had serious shin splints in my last 20 mile training run. And I clearly remember feeling horrible afterwards.
Some interesting differences and similarities two years later:
2005 - 45F
2007 - 50F
2005 - 9:51/mile
2007 - 10:08/mile
2005 - bathroom stop at mile 10
2007 - no stops
2005 - 2 gels, gummy fish, gummy bears, gatorade, water
2007 - gatorade only
2005 - traditional high-heeled cushioned running shoes
2007 - minimalist racing flats
2005 - shin splints, sore hips
2007 - general soreness, no shin issues
2005 - felt like I wanted to die afterwards
2007 - felt incredibly strong afterwards
I feel like I have done 1000% better this time around, even though my long run pace is a bit slower. Maybe the speed will come back as I drop more weight (seem to have hit a plateau).
So I am now into the taper for the marathon. I’m very happy about how this has all progressed. I feel sad that my pace is not as fast as I had targeted last time, but then again, last time I crashed and burned. Even if I hold the current (training) pace, I will beat my old time by almost 30 minutes. I’ll take that. :)
I think after this race I will be looking into the Run Fast, Run Less training and try to regain my 5K PR. It was only two years ago and my running form has changed so much. I think the shin splints held me back. Although, I may get them back again once I start doing speed work. I know when I picked up the pace, I started to get some soreness again. I’ll take my chances.
September 19th, 2007 23:42
I’m so proud of you.
You got right back on that horse and are back to 20 miles run.
Good job.
(look! no sarcasm! It’s the first sign of the apocolypse!)
xo
September 20th, 2007 00:03
looking great!
September 20th, 2007 02:11
Looking good, just run your pace at the marathon and enjoy it, don’t get hung up on speed.
September 20th, 2007 10:56
yay, Jon!! it’s good to see positiveness in your posts. don’t worry about the speed so much.
September 20th, 2007 12:28
Congrats! But now you’ve got me thinking maybe I should just carry Gatorade instead of all my snacks. Decisions, decisions…
September 20th, 2007 15:28
Great Job you should be proud I’ve been dealing with shin splints too. I went with some New Balances what helped you
September 20th, 2007 16:12
Congratulations, Jon! What an improvement. You absolutely must be happy about all this.
September 21st, 2007 07:24
woohoo twenty miles with feeling incredibly strong afterward!! I have never experienced that in my life, I usually want to die or float in some ocean while my muscles straighten out! Nice job, Jon and you don’t need to lose weight, you’re perfect.
September 21st, 2007 13:09
freakin fabulous JOn you stud!!It’s amazing when we keep stats on ourselves huh?
September 21st, 2007 19:36
Congrats on the good 20-miler! Good luck in the marathon.
September 21st, 2007 20:33
Slow training without pain and injury can mean fast times on race day.
That and flats.
You are a new man. Makes me proud.
September 22nd, 2007 09:07
Jon, look at you! How cool is this? I absolutely love come-backs, and you, my man, are coming back.
September 22nd, 2007 23:56
Nicely done. I hear you on the run fast/run less front. That’s my agenda post half IM next year. I look forward to following you as you drop time on your 5k again!
September 23rd, 2007 09:47
Great job on the 20! I was wondering which ‘thon you’re training for!
September 23rd, 2007 20:18
Wow Jon - this sounds great! Good luck in a few weeks!
September 24th, 2007 12:11
You give me hope!
September 25th, 2007 18:50
I have 20 this weekend. I think I might die.