How Long Does a Runner’s High Last?

I did it! 

I ran 20 MILES!

Wow!

I knew I had to get my 20 miler done  this week if I am going to tackle the full marathon (and I am going to tackle that marathon!).  There was no backing out, no quitting, no giving up…no matter what.   AN the RB agreed to run the first 10 miles with me and then I would hand off to my Running Consultant, Paul to finish.  Paul has about 40 years of running under his belt.  He was a girls High School x-country coach, ran countless marathons and halves, and Boston I believe like 6 times.  He was just the person I needed to help me finish the last 10 miles.

AN the RB and I headed out for 10.  I think I ran a little faster than planned because my legs were fresh and I was happy to be back in the saddle with my running buddy.  We had a lot to catch up on and we giggled about how my conversation was going to drastically change after my handoff to Paul…girl talk is just different. 

When we got to the handoff point we had gone 10.64 miles, over half way!!!  I ran circles in the parking lot while Paul put on his…er, cleats?  He told me he had been pretty sick Fri, Sat and Sun so he opted to ride his bike.  THANKS FOR NOT BAILING ON ME BUDDY!!!!  Wow!  I didn’t care, bike, roller blade, drive, skate, scoot, crawl, pogo stick…I just needed a person with me.  So off we went with 8.9 left for me to run(I ran about half a mile in the parking lot).

The beginning of my run was beautiful, sunny and light breeze.  We were not so lucky with the second half.  About half a mile into the second half the heavens opened an once again the ocean fell on my head.  It was so cold and the wind was downright unfair.  Thank goodness it only lasted about 5 minutes then WHALAH!  Gone.  It remained a bit windy and overcast and we had small sprinkles off and on. 

My hip had started aching at about mile 5 but I could handle the pain until about mile 16.  At that point I thought I might cry or better yet die.  It was beginning to go numb.  I could feel the pain but I had this strange numbness radiating down my leg, engulfing my knee, shooting down to my ankle and causing my foot to feel not-there.  It was bazaar.  I was beginning to worry that I would miss a step and fall or that I would just collapse because I was unsure if my leg could actually hold me up.  Paul talked me through a lot of the pain, asking me how it feels and different ways to try to manage it.  I tried changing up my stride and speed.  The only thing  I knew for sure was walking was worse and stopping was like death.  I had to keep going.

At around mile 18.5 I walked.  I thought about calling it good and just walking the rest of the way to car, about half a mile.  But then I remembered something.  That morning when I dropped my Little Buddy off at preschool he ran in and approached all his friends at a small table, “Hey guys!  Noah!  My mom has to run 20 miles today!”  I thought about that and how proud he was of me…So I told Paul I had to finish, I had to run.  I had to make 20 miles.

Paul clipped back into his peddles and rode beside me the last mile and a half.  I did it!!!!!  And I could NOT be any more proud!

I kid you not, the exact moment my watch alerted me of “Workout Complete” my arm buzzed as a text came in from Tall Mom, “Have you run your 20 miler yet?” I swear that woman has ESP!  I took a a minute to take the above pictures and photo texted her back.

I was a little out of it. I kind of felt like I was coming out of a deep sleep or something.  I couldn’t think straight and form complete thoughts.  I stumbled into the YMCA front doors and was greeted by a few of my friends who were all smiles and so proud of me.  It was such a great feeling.  I noticed a few looks of complete Awe, you know what I mean?  Like, “how is this chick still standing after 20 miles?” kind of looks.  Thank goodness there is an elevator that goes up one floor to the lady’s locker room because I got in and rode up one measly flight of stairs.  Usually they don’t let staff (which I am) use the elevator, but no one said a word as the door shut and I began my ride up…And I am not sure I have come down since.

 How long does runner’s high last anyway? 

Today I am grateful for:

Having the courage to start, strength to endure, resolve to finish!

AN the RB and Paul who were there to help me with this run, not sure I would have finished on my own!

That I know the Heimlich maneuver and was able to dislodge a huge piece of ice from my Little Buddy’s throat without even thinking (if you are a mom and don’t know the Heimlich I urge you to learn! This is the second time I have had to do this to my Little Buddy during his short 4.5 years of life).