Tuesday, September 04, 2007

20 miles.....yeah baby!

Its been a while since I've been excited about completing a 20 mile run. But considering that I have a marathon coming up in less than two weeks and I haven't run longer than 15 miles since July 7th, I think a little celebration is in order.

Yesterday I took advantage of the holiday and headed over to Forest Park for an out and back on Leif. My hip has been feeling okay, but it isn't 100 percent. I'll have runs where it feels fine during the run and than aches later. Or aches during the run but feels great later in the day. I was optimistic about the 20 miler since I had minimal pain during and after Saturday's six. Marc came home Saturday evening and on Sunday we went on a 5 mile hike in the gorge up to Angels Rest. No pain during or after that excursion either.

The 20 miler went well. I was a little worried about my decreasing fitness, but told myself I'd finish the distance no matter what. Leif is marked every 1/4 mile and I usually stop for a fuel break every 2 miles. I told myself I could walk every 1 mile if needed and even walk it in if necessary. Usually the act of giving myself permission to take it easy is all I need and I end up running as normal. That was the case this time too. I took my usual breaks every two miles up until mile 14 and then ended up running the last six miles in. My hip was not 100% but I didn't feel my first twinges until mile 6. After that it ached a little bit, but no sharp pains. I iced and used the foam roller a lot yesterday. This morning I went out on a 6 mile recovery run. The hip felt good. My legs were just a bit sore, but that good soreness to remind me that they had gotten a good workout the day before.

On yesterdays run I thought a few times about Jack, who has been in a similar situation as me, having been out with an injury with a marathon coming up soon. He also completed a 20 miler this weekend. I had commented that I was going to draw inspiration from his run. Thanks Jack for your encouragement! It reminded me again about what a great blogging community we have in the running bloggers. There are bloggers I've met, some I've become friends with, some I've yet to meet and some I may never meet. But I've drawn inspiration from each and every one is ways big and small. I just hope that I can do the same for others too.

13 comments:

sherri said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better. I have to lol at you giving yourself permission. What a great life strategy - allow for less and achieve more.

Adelyn said...

Congrats on the 20! You're definitely an inspiration, and this post will be good fodder for getting me out to workout today :)

Glad you're feeling better!

Olga said...

Hey, what about me, injury and 100M looming? :) Good job on 20! I also believe when I give myself permission to go easy I end up doing better, as opposed to have a pressure and running less.

Backofpack said...

Nicely done Sarah! Glad you are feeling better and back at it.

Joe said...

Great run on a nice day in a beautiful setting...how cool!! Way to go, Sarah!!

Amazing the mental aspects of all this, isn't it??

And so true, the encouragement of other bloggers...it means so much!

Jamie Anderson said...

Nice job! Best wishes for your marathon.

-Jamie

Bret said...

Nice 20! It is such a nice round number. If I run 19.5 miles its still not the same as 20.
What I found with my hip is speed kills. Maybe thats just me but if I take it easy I usually will do ok. If it is really fired up I cant even jog up the smallest of hills. So it sounds like you are on the mend.

wendy said...

way to go, sarah! I'm sure you feel better getting a 20 out of the way before the big dance.

Darrell said...

It sure feels good to get those 20 milers done before the big day.

What's up with the hips, huh?

Rick Gaston said...

Good to hear that you and Jack are going to make the marathon in great shape after all. Nothing like a good run to help calm the nerves. Sounds like the injury is just healing now. You can workout and it's not getting worse but better.

Jack said...

Great job finishing the 20, I think you'll do fine with your marathon. I'll be thinking of you when I run mine.

~concrete angel~ said...

Great job on 20 miles!! and glad you're feeling better :)

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Wooo Hoo Congrats on ur 20 Sarah, glad ur feeling better!! FOCUS IN!!