This week is a a big mileadge week for me...my last big week before slowing down for a couple weeks before my first ultra Jan 10.
It will be a PR mileadge wise...I wanted to go big to test myself, and becuase the work schedule is light this week, and the wifey is in Brasil for the holidays so I had some time on my hands.
I have never done a marathon distanced run before, though several 20+ mile runs.
Last Sunday I did 22 miles.
Monday 11.25 miles
Tuesday Half Marathon 13.1 miles
Wednasday 13.1 miles
Thursday I did my first marathon distance 26.2 miles...it was more difficult than I thought it would be. I plan my long runs as out-and-back runs, to trick myself, so if I get too tired I still have to get the mileadge in to get home, but my standard long run route is 22 miles...so to get the extra 4.2 miles in to complete 26.2 I had to run several miles around my house close to home...it was a mistake because mentally it became very monotonous and mentaly hard the last several miles, with home within easy reach.
My iPod ran out of battery and it was dark out too...so no scenery or music to absorb myself into...was tough...but a good way to spend Christmas with the family away.
Friday I did about 2 hours, or about 8.5 miles.
Today I did another Marathon...was planned better and had a joyous run after a rough start....absolutely perfect weather...about 55 degrees and not a cloud in the sky...I did stop for about 20 minutes at the top of a little mountain to enjoy the view...a couple of bathroom and water refill stops too...took 6 hours 31 minutes. Planned it perfect distance wise, only had one run around the block when I got back home to complete the 26.2.
Tomorrow I will try for the same distance but with some more hills built in.
I'm not losing weight, which would make me faster if I was lighter, because I consume about 400 calories per hour while running...and then I eat like a pig afterwards lol...I gave up on trying to train for this thing AND lose weight by being at a calorie deficit while I do it.
Am gunna sleep good tonight. After I eat this pizza.
If I get through this 26.2 tomorow, that will be 146.55 miles for this week...by far my most ever...previous highest mileadge week was about 80 miles.
The hardest part is getting started for me now...today I planned on getting going at 5am, but could not get out of bed until 6 am, and it took another 2 hours to psych myselfseof up to get out there and start going...even when I was outside the gate I couldn't get going, and then I ran about a mile stopping every 100 to 400 meters telling myself to go back home and take a rest day...was ridiculous...took about 4 miles to settle into a comfortable rhythm...basically I got far enough away from home that I accepted the inevitable of doing to run...I am not ashamed to admit that I kinda cried a little bit lol...no actual tears, but I did sob a little lol
After about mile 8 it got easy and joyous again...
Can't wait to see what tomorow brings, though thinking about running that far again has me feeling at the same time awestruck and a little nauseous.
My bones hurt.
But I also feel very alive and kinda hyper aware.
I will have to do some strength traing on Monday to balance all this very low intensity cardio...I am getting that shaky feeling and chills from all the cardio with no higher intensity stuff to balance it.
After Monday's strength training I will rest a bit.
I am so slow that I don't have any illusions that I can do this 50 miler in 12 hours or less...so I'll have to take the early start option...after this is all over I will diet a bit and get lighter, then maybe I'll be a bit faster, but at 240 pounds speed over distance is not an option.