Tuesday, April 6, 2010

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!

20 edit 20 complete edit

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).

41 comments:

  1. Congrats! I am running just over 20miles on Sunday and am Scared!

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  2. Love it! I rode the runner's high for a few days at least after my first 20 miler! There is just something about that magical number that absolutely earns you rockstar status! Congrats on tackling the new mileage! You are so ready for the marathon!!!

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  3. Yahoo! Those long runs just go to prove that it is totally mind over matter. Your body can do it, but it is just a matter of convincing your brain sometimes. You will ROCK at the RnR marathon!!

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  4. Great job! Now I really can't whine as much as planned about my 7 miler after work today... it's all about perspective, isn't it?

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  5. Way to go. I am so jealous!!!! I barely did 12... I got more miles in my future and need to find someone to run with.

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  6. Way to go. Glad to have that run behind you. Hope your hip stopped hurting - or didn't get worse.

    You will totally rock in your race. The adrenaline will carry you the last miles.

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  7. Congrats! Whew that's a great one to have outta the way! I prescribe pigeon pose and double pigeon pose for that tight hip.
    Thank heavens for the Heimlich--glad little buddy's ok!

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  8. Congrats!! That is so awesome! Proud of you!

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  9. Personally I think that the 20 mile training run is harder than the actual marathon, at least mentally. There so many doubts that you carry with you and little voices that you hear along the run planting seeds of uncertainty. Then, when you are able to do the distance the confidence boost is so huge! That allows you to better deal with those moments of anxiety about the race because if you were able to overcome before you know that you'll be able to do it again.

    Great work with the run! Way to push through to the end and conquer your fears and tackle your goal!

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  10. Great job on the 20 miles! That is so awesome and a great accomplishment! Hope your hip is feeling better. I am no stranger to hip pain and it is not fun.

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  11. Way to go on the 20 miles... I hope your high lasts for a REALLY long time!! Hope the hip feels better soon!!!!!

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  12. Favorite last line of a blog post ever. "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."

    And it's awesome that Levi is proud of you. I guess they notice stuff after all.

    Great job, Amanda!

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  13. Great job! What a HIGH! I think you ride that high as long as you can...just imagine what that 26.2 high is going to feel like...HEAVEN!!!

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  14. Woo hoo! Way to go! Keep that high goin'!

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  15. Wow, that's scary about the ice in LB's throat!! Thank goodness you helped him out! Congrats on your 20 miler! For me the mileage milestones were a huge thing to me while training for my first marathon. After completing the marathon, the pride is forever. I was on a runners high for about 2 weeks post marathon. Relaxing, super fun rins(because you have an excellent base),enjoying the family again(with all of your now free time) and just being proud of yourself for all of the hard work and determination. Congrats again!!!

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  16. Congrats on your 20! I hope your high lasts through your marathon!

    Ekk! I am glad you were able to do the Heimlich to get rid of that ice. Now I am going to worry...my little one always wants to try and eat ice too!

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  17. WOW WOW WOW! that is great. 20 miles is amazing. It seems out of reach but I know in a few months I WILL be doing the same. Hope I can dig deep like you did to pull it off. WAY TO GO! How are you feeling today??? How did you recover or rest?

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  18. Great job! 20s are tough and now you have one in the bank. I hope your hip is feeling better today. And I hope you rewarded yourself for your effort yesterday.

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  19. Way to crack 20 miles. Ride that high as long as you can. You deserve it.

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  20. Soooo proud of you, tha'ts AMAZING!

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  21. Congrats on your 20 miles- way to finish it!!! Hope the runner's high lasted a good long while :-)!

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  22. wow you are super amazing!!! I am beyond impressed! Tell little buddy to take it easy on his super Mom that would give me a heart attack although I do know how to do it!

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  23. Hehehehe bloggy buddy ESP.. Love it :)

    CONGRATS!! I am sooo proud of you and know that you are going to LOVE (and not love) running the Marathon.

    Wow you are Super Mom I have not taken CPR class since high school I need a refresh

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  24. OH wow! That just brought tears to my eyes about how you kept running for your little buddy! Maybe I'll take the stairs today...

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  25. Congrats on pushing through and getting it done!

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  26. Oh, Amanda... haven't been able to read/comment in a while and have so much to catch up on... WOW!!!!! LOVE the header... looks kinda familiar. :-) Fun to put together, right? 20 miles?? WOWZER!!! You go, girl! I love your post today, especially the final line about the elevator, riding up, and still being there. Fantastic! :-) That's the coolest thing about Tall Mom. Yes, ESP. Oh, and running around the parking lot and COUNTING it, ha ha! As for your Little Buddy and choking - yikes!

    HUGS from Orlando!! I think of you often and wonder how things are going with you, even if I don't get to read/comment as often as I'd like (working on correcting that!).

    r.

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  27. WTG!!!! I love that your son is so proud of you :o)

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  28. Awesome! Well done. And it's so cute your son is so proud of you. I read somewhere that Paula Radcliffe says her child's name over and over when she needs to push herself through pain. I've done it and it works... for a little while anyway! :) Rock that runner's high!

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  29. That is great! My 20 miler is coming up the weekend of April 16th. I am actually going to PA to run it with a friend. I'm hoping that makes the time go faster. Also, which garmin do you have and are you happy with it? I have the FR60 and I don't think it is accurate enough because it utilizes a foot pad. My runs seems to be off between 1/4 to 1/2 mile.

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  30. Love the new pics at the top of the blog! Soooo glad I got to see you last night ! and so proud of you you inspire me looking forward to our project together!

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  31. ahaaahahh!! awesome. good for you. that is so fantastic. you. are. ready. now let's go kick some marathon butt in okc ;) speaking of. not sure when you are hitting the expo, but we are planning to be at the expo at 1p, if you think you could make it there then, we'd love to meet you! rest up. taper time!!

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  32. Dude, you're a tacompton rockstar! I'm originally from Tacoma - it sounds like you are in the North End - so much hillier than Seattle!

    And you TOTALLY earned that elevator ride. :D

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  33. Wow, congrats! I would be so proud too! For me the runners high lasts at least the rest of the day (and for half marathons, a few days after too!) 20 miles is a huge accomplishment!!

    PS - I love your new banner at the top! (Its been awhile since I checked in with everyone) It looks great! :)

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  34. Congratulations! Such an awesome achievement!

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  35. Totally loved that post! I can relate with every single aspect....except I have never made it to 20 miles...not yet! But my kids are always in my head...and I want them to be proud of me...and they always are!!!=)
    I have major hip pain...I can't believe you ran 20 with your hip hurting...your tough!
    Bottom line! Great job!!

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