The Dreaded 20 Miler...

was up this week. I obsessively planned my running week last Sunday because since school has started, running has sometimes had to take the 3rd row. So...planning was a must. Of course, even the best plans can suck. I ran 8 miles on Monday...so hard that I couldn't wake up to do just a small 5 mile run on Tuesday morning before Mike left for work. Did I just let those 5 miles go by the wayside? No. I ran them the next night, on top of another 5 Mile run. So,I ran 10 miles. As usual, I go into a run thinking that 10 miles isn't too bad and I can start off at a fast pace. I was sprinting. By 6 miles, I was sure I was going to puke in the trash can next to the filtered water dispenser. I held my cookies, and finished it up. At 4:45 AM on Thursday morning, I started another 5 mile run, which was less than 10 hours since I had finished the vommity feeling run the night before. When you run at 4:45 here in Maine, its dark this time of year. You are running fast because of an innate feeling that "something" is going to get you. If I were in a city, I would worry about "someone" getting me. However, this is Rumford. I worry about getting sprayed by a skunk, or meeting a some other random rodent. I find only shadows and a stunning sunrise coming over the mountains. When I finished the run, I was satisfied, because it meant I could rest my legs for 72 hours before I was to run the Dreaded (insert cheesy horror movie music) 20 Miler on Sunday. I don't think I have gone 72 hours without running since starting this escapade in late April.

Can I just tell you that 72 hours really goes by fast. It does.

Today started later than previously thought (as usual). I always have this grand scheme of getting up ridiculously early and starting my run, but it almost never happens, so I don't know why I bother pretending. I do the Mommy thing for a bit. Get the kids up, fed, semi dressed....I pace a little while around the house. I eat. I pee, I pee again, and again. I drink some more coffee, and get dressed carefully, as if putting on armor before going into a battle. I pee again, and after stretching for about 10 minutes, you got it, I pee one more time. I grab my Gatorade, water, "Gu" (yes...that is what its called, if you can believe it), my MP3 player, and I am out the door.

I start, and realize its the hardest thing in the world to just start running sometimes.

During a long run, I usually try to get rid of any thoughts about the run itself. I don't count down miles (until the last one...but at that point I am usually counting every step), I don't think about form (or the lack there of), and I try NOT to think about the fact that I have to pee despite the 6 or 7 times I went before my run started.

However, this time, since it was such an important run, I wanted to think about all the things that I have learned or realized since my running journey began. This list is as follows:

1) I have learned, first and foremost, that nothing feels as awful to me as the first mile of a run, and nothing feels as good as the last mile.

2) I have realized there is never a more dangerous time in Rumford as right after services at the Catholic church end, and everyone is rushing to their cars and speeding off, undoubtedly off to commit yet another week of sins that they can repent for later. They drive off so fast...proving to me, again, that Catholic priests really are kind of scary.

3) I have learned that anyone who sees Rumford as "just" a poor, stinky, mill town, has never run down Lincoln Avenue from the tippy top. The mountains slowly reveal themselves as you descend, and you know, that just driving down the hill, you have missed it thousands of times. But running...running is like an unveiling every time, and I am so thankful whenever I see it, that I live here.

4) I have discovered that Sunday mornings are the time when all the police cars get washed and cleaned out, and that this whole process takes approximately 2 hours. There is one thing you can say about our police force...they have some very clean cars.

5) I have learned that there is SOMEONE on Maple Street that cooks the most delicious smelling breakfast every day. Because I smell it on early morning run, and one of these days I swear I am just going to knock on their door for a sausage link.

6) I have realized that the dogs on my route no longer consider me a threat. They don't even bark at me anymore...they just watch carefully as I jog by them...I think I saw one roll his eyes today in annoyance. Those Alaskan Malamutes on the way back up Lincoln Ave are such smart asses.

7) I have learned to be more proud of what my body can do, and less concerned about my vanity. (Because let me tell you, guys, there isn't anyone who looks good at the end of running 20 miles) And spandex may look awful on anyone, but they are some serious gear, that in my opinion, is a must have.

8) I have discovered that I stick my tongue out if I am running down a hill. That must look intelligent.

9) I get it...at 20 miles, I get it. I am a runner now.

10) I have learned that I get kind of teary on my last mile. Not because I am in pain...because I cried about that back on mile 13, but because I am so, so happy that I am almost done, and that I am so thankful that I have the opportunity and the ability to do something so crazy.

Weekly Mileage Report

Monday: 8 miles
Tuesday: off
Wednesday:10 Miles
Thursday:5 Miles
Friday:Cross
Saturday: Off
Sunday:20 Miles (3:26:44)
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Total Miles Ran This Week: 43 Miles
Total Suggested per Matrix: 43 Miles