In case you were wondering, I am currently laying in my bed with a heating pad on my ankle and it is glorious!
Today is a day to celebrate: I ran 20 miles for the first time ever in my life!
I tried to run 18 miles last weekend, but I had just replaced my running shoes, and apparently an 18 mile race is not a place to break them in. Towards the third mile, I started to have some serious pain in my ankle and it was not getting better, so I had to withdraw. I was not happy about it, but I decided it would be worse if I kept running in pain and effed up my ankle. That is the last thing I need a month before the Marathon.
Anyhoo, I decided to try again today. I used mapmyrun.com to plot out my route. I started at my apartment and then ran down the east river past the Billyburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges towards South Ferry. This was fun for me because I've never seen the Staten Island ferry or Battery Park. This distraction made the first 7 miles go really quickly. I love how the sixth mile marker was the Statue of Liberty. No big deal. I continued on to the West Side of the Island to 96th street and then across Central Park back to the East River and back to my apartment.
Now, I'm not sure if you've ever heard of "the wall" (not Pink Floyd, the runner's term). The wall is something that all long distance runners dread. It's the part of your long run where you start to struggle. A lot. And it takes a lot of mental strength and a good Lady Gaga song to get you through it. For me, the wall happened around mile 18. This apparently is where the wall happens for a lot of people. I don't know why or how, but it just happens. Apparently in the NYC Marathon, the Queensborough Bridge happens during mile 18. I don't know if you've ever walked or run or ridden across the Queensborough Bridge, but it basically feels like it goes up-hill both ways. Woo hoo! The good news is, when you finally cross over the Bridge in the Marathon, there are a ton of people there to cheer you on as you enter Manhattan. So, it'll be fine. Right? Right.
I actually feel pretty good right now, but that's generally how it goes. I can walk around all "la-dee-da" the day of a long run, and then the next day it looks like I'm drunk because I can't walk properly. And no, I'm not actually drunk. For once. Stop judging me.
Well, there are only 41 days left until the Marathon and I am getting pumped! I hope you are too. You know how else you can get pumped? DONATE TO MY FUND FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY!!!!! The link is here, do it: MORE BIRTHDAYS!
