Mental vs. Physical Limitations at the 18-Mile Run

They say it's mind over matter, that the only limits to our distance running are our mental limitations. I disagree, I was ready for 18 and was looking forward to another great run like the 16-mile, but muscle cramps and hurting knees made this run almost as uncomfortable as Santa Cruz. Around 10-miles my hamstrings and quads started cramping, the fun thing about running is once it starts it does not go away, it stays with you and walking only makes it worse. So Emily and I ran the last 5-6 miles, with 10-20 second walks here and there (water stops basically).

Oh well, the dip in the ocean and the fabulous breakfast in downtown Monterey made it worth it.

The Best Double Digit Run So Far – 16 Miles

After the last run, I was a little worried about what might cramp during 16-mile run in Woodside so the day before I purchased heel inserts, which can help relieve/lessen the cramping in the Achilles. I also bought my first pair of running shorts, as I’ve been running in my yoga pants, because we’re supposed to start running in the gear will be using in San Diego. Which reminds me, I still need to buy new shoes… but back to the run.

It was a cloudy, wet day in Woodside, and our run started at 7:30 a.m. with the Peninsula Team. Christine and I were running together again using the 8-2 interval. I think I scared her because when we started out I told her that if my legs started cramping later in the run again I was going to reduce the walk interval or just keep running. The run started out on roads and took us through the first park. The terrain had been at a slight incline the entire time, which wasn’t too bad until we got to the steep switch-back, our first major obstacle and much like a muddy obstacle course from the previous travelers, there was no running up it, only walking and the burn that went with it. The run became better, and the slight declines were much welcomed, but there was no escaping the mud and puddles as several miles into the run my feet were drenched and my shoes so muddy that the color was indiscernible. At times the obstacle course, was treacherous as the mud and inclines made it very possible to fall down the hills were running on and having a tarp or sled to slide down the muddy hill would have been much welcomed fun. The last switchback at the 11 mile mark, was particularly difficult and steep, but the view when we arrived at the top and the entire run down was an amazing view of green and civilization. My legs did start cramping the last couple miles, so I did run it straight through at a faster pace. What a rush, I couldn’t believe it, 16-miles and I felt remarkably well, with only a little cramping behind my knee, and I still couldn’t believe that I had accomplished my first 16-mile run.

How fast did I go? 12 min./mile or 3 hours 13 minutes.

Total Miles Run To Date 145

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Half Way to a Marathon - 14.5 Mile run 4-1-06

The run this Saturday was at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz and despite the forecast of rain, it was a beautiful and mild day. It was also a big day of firsts-running Wave 3, running with Emily and Christine, and running 14 miles. The trail started along a dirt trail for the first 4 miles, which are never fun as we warm up, but the old ranch homes and countryside were amazing. Not to mention, having several teammates singing at the top of their lungs was a riot and kept us smiling the entire time. Doubling back we then hit the second part of the run - the 10-mile stretch - the beach trail then boardwalk and there really is nothing better than a beautiful view and cool breeze when running. The hazards, on the other hand, are not as much fun as our run took us through main streets dodging cars and being honked at (I'm not sure why it happened to the runners that were ahead of us). The 5-mile mark, was the wharf, and then it was time to turn around and head back. I felt great and ready for the last 5 miles of the run, which went great until we were 2 miles out. My Achilles tendon in my left foot started cramping on the way back and I'd stop when needed and tried to stretch it out, but it would inevitably cramp more again. The last mile, I was praying it wouldn't snap, it seized up several times and I couldn't put my weight on it for a couple steps. Eventually, I found a pace that seemed to make it almost work and ran the last part in-not stopping or walking, as these seemed to make it worse.

That run, beautiful as it was, is one of the hardest runs on the body as most of it was on the sidewalk. Talking with the mentors and a coach, this is one of the most hated runs because it causes so many issues-the list from Saturday was pretty long with complaints (wow that makes me feel better, I thought I’d just have some new pain to complain about after each long run). Also, we ran 14.5 instead of 14 miles, and I really could have cut that last half out.

Hellyer Park 12-Mile Run 3-25-06
I'm bored, I'm bored, I'm really really BORED. Ok, so I'm in Wave 1 and our run starts at 7:20 am and in no time I'm running by myself. My foot is mostly better, and I'm starting to run at my marathon speed and I'm running alone because I'm too fast for this wave. I'm hoping to run into other people, but they're 10-20 minutes behind as they stagger the runs. My solution, a nice long bathroom break a third of the way into it. This doesn't work so well as there aren't a whole lot of people around. Finally, making it to the water station and there are a good amount of people around so I start running with a couple other people. I ended up running the last half with Jessica at her pace, which isn't too bad as I can keep up comfortably and we talk part of the way in, but it makes it so much easier to have someone to run with, even when nothing is said.

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