And Zen, I was back.
Now that I’m officially recovered and all, it’s time to start preparing for the next race in a couple weeks. So, I got up early and met with Roman to get some extra miles in before our group run. For some dumb-ass reason, we decided to meet at 6:20 AM. I can’t complain too much, since this allowed me to sleep in a whopping 25 minutes later than during the week. And happily, the pouring rain, thunder and lightning from the night before was taking a break.
I had recently mentioned to my comrade that I wanted to pick up some time and try to break a 4:30 for my next marathon. He, who is very wise in these things or at least lets us all think that, had some sage advice to offer. “Stop walking.”
Uh, sound simple, so I decided to give it a try. For our 3.25 miles, there wasn’t any walking. Not down the hill. Not up the hill. Nowhere. Okay, that’s cool and if I can keep it up for 23 more miles, we’re in business.
After finishing, sitting around waiting for everyone else and taking it easy, we headed out for part two. The first mile was no problem.
Then, the strange thing happened. I remember passing the club house at the golf course (they were having a tournament). I remember seeing everyone else in the group in the distance. I was thinking about the Blue Ridge relay and stuff. Then I looked up. WTF! Oh. Shit. I’m a mile and a half down the road, and don’t remember any of it. I was completely caught up in the running and focusing on it, I was unaware of the passage of time.
Pretty dang cool. Very Zen like. I know there was moving over for cars and stuff, but the usual landmarks, I don’t recall passing them, or thinking about being tired or any of the other things that normally occupy me.
Unfortunately, once I came out of it, I couldn’t get back. Oh well…it was way cool, in a very hippy like way.
The rest of the run was relatively plain. I stopped to watch a horse competition for a few minutes. (The rest of the group saw me stop and waved, but I didn’t see them.) There was a light rain, then Thor told me to go a bit faster. (i.e. there was thunder directly overhead.) Did just over 6 miles, which gave me just under 10 for the morning.
And I’ll end with the following observation:The problem with not walking is that it means you’re running the whole way.
April 13, 2008 at 9:33 pm
When’s the next marathon?
Personally, I’d be happy to go under 5 hours. I’ve always been afeared of the Atlanta Marathon cuz of the 5 hour cutoff.
Anyway, sounds like good running after the previous x-ray posting.
April 14, 2008 at 9:44 am
Next one is tentatively scheduled for memorial day. (So in about 6 weeks, barring some other stuff popping up.)
for ING, the 5 hour cutoff is only when they stopped the filming. The race cutoff is a couple hours past that. (I think its 7 hours. I’ve read one race report of someone who completed in 7:45ish, and he had a volunteer guide him in once the course closed.)
I thought about doing the Atlanta one on Thanksgiving a few years ago, but recall thinking the cutoff was a bit tight. We’ll see how it looks this year.
April 20, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Ok no matter how long it takes to complete your marathons, dude your running a MARATHON!!! This is extraordinary! I cannot do this at least for now. Someday i hope but if i can just run 5 miles a day i will be a very happy camper, er runner i mean!!
Michelle
April 20, 2008 at 4:13 pm
“Then I looked up. WTF! Oh. Shit”.
Can I use that for my mantra?
VERY ZEN LIKE!
OMmmm ……..
April 20, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Michelle, some day you’ll do one if you have the desire. Just remember, it’s 90% mental (and the rest is in your head.)
Especially if you keep eating healthy the way you do but I never could! that’s gotta give you a lot of energy.
Yeah Stacey, you can use that.
(I’m going to use the one in my other post, “See you out there, I’ll be the masochist going slow.”