The Longest Run

All Downhill Now

I missed yesterday’s run on account of work. The team celebrated Mission Day, a day of recognition that coincides with the longest run of the season before the race. Team members share brief stories of why they’ve chosen to participate and who they are running or walking for. The Team Heroes came to support the team members during their up-to-five-hour runs by staffing water stations along the trail. I wish I could have been there and I missed the team as I laced up my shoes for the 20 mile run on the Highline Canal Trail this Sunday. The gravel path was strewn with dry fallen leaves, the earliest casualties of the season; the trees were still mostly be-leafed in green and gold. The canal, unusually, was filled with water today and pairs of mallards kept pace alongside. My goal today was to run successively faster segments up until race pace. I eased into things with a couple slower miles and then picked up the pace to within a minute of my goal pace. I could keep track of my mile splits with my watch and the help of markers posted along the trail. For the first 15 miles everything went to plan: 8:30, 8:10, 7:50, 7:40, 7:23. My legs felt fine and especially the first half went by before I realized. Now, I should have brought my running pack that holds a couple liters of water, but it was a warm day and I didn’t want the pack pressed against my back for the duration so I left it home. Instead I had a small waist-belt with only half a liter or so of water and a pouch to hold my keys and a few energy gels. As I continued the run and the miles got to around 16 or 17, my mouth became drier and my throat parched. It became harder to keep going and my times began to slip off my goal pace: back to 8:30, and 9:00. I kept going through it though. I thought of my teammates and how hard they’ve worked. I thought of how hard I’ve been working. I thought of my Dad and the reasons why I signed up for this. And I kept going. Even though I slowed down, I was determined to finish running. It was important to me. My timer hit the 20 mile mark just where I’d begun my out-and-back run and I stopped, panting for air, and a little shaky on tired legs. I pulled another water bottle out of the car and found a shady place in the grass to stretch a bit and rest. I felt good about what I’d accomplished but  disappointed that I didn’t run as planned. We’re heading into the final few weeks and from here on in will be tapering, lessening our distances and time running to give our bodies time to rest before the marathon. This is the last phase in our preparation and the coaches have warned us that this can be a difficult period, mentally and physically. I’m certainly anxious to have the event so close, but confident that I’ve prepared well. I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but glad it’s all downhill from here.