Remember that harebrained idea I had about running one half marathon per month for a year? At first, it didn't seem real. I worried I would laze out of it. Then I registered for the first six...and I still worried I would laze out of it. I told myself I couldn't. I've already spent too much money to be lazy, right?
Well, today it's real. Today I finished the Charleston half marathon. Sunny morning, quite cold (for Charleston, SC), but a nice flat course. MY only regret is that they had shrimp and grits and beer at the end, and I just couldn't bring myself to eat any (appetite comes and goes when you're running for two hours, and when you pick up the pace at the end...well it goes). I had a giant coffee instead.
At some point in the race you start to wonder what it's all for. My point for this is usually around mile 11. Up to mile 10 I have the novelty of the race, the place, the people (good crowd support, Charleston!), contemplating when to take my gel (mile 9 in this case), the weird feeling that maybe I'm losing a big toenail? (Nope, still there!) I feel good because 10 miles, at this point, is something you've done and passed many times.
At mile 10, I get the extra lift. 3.1 to go! That's only 5K! The day I can't run 5K is a very poor day indeed. So I keep going with a spring in my step.
...and then mile 11. The spring was short lived. I realize I've been running for ages. I'm hungry. My legs hurt. I start to finally breathe hard enough to notice I'm panting. I realize that if I want to break 2 hours I need to speed up a little. At 10 miles, that seemed like no problem. Now? ARE YOU CRAZY? I can't possibly.
This is the moment of existential crisis. Is the moment where I've bonked before (always at mile 11), and where I wonder...why do I do this? Why the HECK do I run distance? Aren't there better ways to stay in shape? Do I really need to love cheese so much?
Why on EARTH did I decide to run 12 of these in a year? Why would I want to run one ever again?!
Then I hit mile 12, and well, there's only one mile left to go! Only 8 minutes and 30 seconds left if I want to beat 2 hours. I better get moving.
Of course, basking in the glow afterward: sitting down, with a foil cape, a large coffee and a banana, well I mean, obviously I'm running another one! Soon! Of course! I'm a badass!
Then I try to get up. Heh.
Time appears to be 1:59:mehmehsomething. Official times aren't yet posted. I broke two hours, which was my goal. Now? Let's try to break a 1:58 shall we?
Your post reminds me of The Oatmeal comic about long distance running. You can beat the Blerch Sci! I believe in you.
Congratulations, Sci! Breaking two hours on the first one of the year is tre awesome!
Winter running in the South is surprisingly painful. It gets cold anywhere north of Ocala, Florida! I recall a February 10K run for the Plant City, FL, Strawberry Festival where it was a biting, windy 27°F. I'd never run in that weather when I lived in northern NJ or Philly.
You've got me motivated – once my insertional Achilles tendonitis heals!
YOU are a STONE COLD BADASS.
Way to go!