I ran 13 miles and survived- barely.

Total Miles:  24

Long Run:  13 Miles!

I ran 13 freakin’ miles on Sunday! I ran for two and half hours straight!

But, I totally have mixed feelings about it.

First off, running the 13 miles was completely my idea.  Tim and I were running early on Wednesday morning and I was just thinking about how good it felt to be up running with the stars shining.  I felt peaceful, happy.  I was thinking about how awesome I felt after running 11 miles and how according to the training plan, I should be ready for a half.  I wanted to see if I could run 13 miles.  I wanted to see where I would stand if I had to race it that weekend.  I suggested it to Leah and Jaime, they weren’t as crazed about it as I was, but agreed to give it a go.  So, the plan was set. 

Saturday evening, I started to regret the decision that Miss Positive BJ had earlier in the week.  I had a small blister on my toe (not from running, but from a cute pair of shoes I’ll never wear again!) and I was just feeling kind of sluggish.  For the first time ever, on Sunday when my alarm went off, I considered bailing.  Seriously.  Despite my angst, I forced myself out of bed.  I wasn’t feeling like eating anything, so I forced down some sport beans and a bottle of water.  This was probably Mistake #1. 

Heading over to Leah’s I was trying to tell myself that all would be fine.  I would try to shake off the negative and just run.   It really wasn’t that hard once we got going.  It was 9/11, so we talked about where were 10 years ago when we heard about the Towers, how Jaime’s sons are now learning about it, etc.  Although the content was heavy, it was a good conversation that helped a few miles pass by.  Tim mapped out a route for us that included some hills.  We know there will be hills in St. Louis, so it seemed like a good idea to try to incorporate some in our long runs.  Ugh.  I will forever hate hills.  I will tell you this, running up hills must be a Johnson trait.  Leah rocked those bad boys!  She looked so at ease—just like Tim! 

So, Mistake #2 came along about 6 or 7 miles in.  I have been trying to do gels when running, but I have had stomach issues with them, so I wait as long as I can to take them.   I think this time, I waited too long. I was pretty tired when I took it out and it took me a bit to get it down.  It helped for a bit, but at about mile 11, all went to hell.  First, I got a side stitch.  Arg.  Then, my legs started hurting.  Boo.  Then, the self-doubt crept in.  Dang.  The self-doubt is my number one running killer.  I just wanted to stop at mile 11.  What was the point of running if I was going to feel so miserable while doing it? 

So, Jaime starts to push it, Leah is a bit behind her and I’m a few steps back considering just stopping altogether.  But I didn’t.  I just kept my head forward, looking at Jaime’s swinging pony tail and told myself that I would not stop until she said were at 13 miles.  I got control of my side stitch, but my legs were on fire.  I felt like I hand cinder blocks tied to my feet.  When she said she had reached 13, I ran to where she was and then felt like I hit a wall.  Walking was hard and I felt a bit dizzy.  Even after all those darn runs in the heat, this was by far the worse shape I had physically been in after running.  At one point, I stopped to stretch my legs and I felt so dizzy, I had to sit down on the sidewalk.  Leah gave me some sport beans and I drank some water.  I wasn't down long before I was feeling better, but I was disappointed with myself.  I know better.  I should have prepared myself for that run and I didn’t.  Annoying. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud that I ran 13 miles.  I am also super proud of Jaime and Leah.  We did it!  We now know we are able to run 13 miles and live to tell about it.  :P  But, I have to look at the mistakes I made and rectify them in the future.  I know that I felt great after running 11 miles a few weeks ago.  Heck, I even felt like I could have kept on running!  I know that I'm not always going to feel fantastic after a run, but I do think in this case I didn't exactly set myself up for a great experience.   


Again, I am reminded that this experience is a learning process.  I do feel a bit more confident about the half now that I know that I can run that many miles.  Really, I think my goal for the race is to enjoy it.  Sure, I know it's gonna hurt some, but I honestly want to have some fun that day, too! 


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