Today (for me) was the day that most, if not all, periodic marathoners dread. The "long-run" - 20 miles. This is the longest run we do in our training preparation prior to the actual marathon. I just completed mine not more than 90 minutes ago. This date sticks out like a sore thumb on the calendar months in advance, and it creeps closer like a pending apocalypse. There is anticipation, fear, self-doubt, and then voila...relief and satisfaction. Two weeks ago, I did 18 miles, and was miserable. I had been fighting a cold, and came off of a 9 mile run a day earlier. Miles 13 - 18 were the absolute worst I had ever done, taking every ounce of concentration I could muster to put one foot in front of the other, and barely speaking to my running companion. I finished, but not with a sense of joy.
While still dealing with lingering parts of that same cold today, miles 13 - 18 were much better. I did 8 miles yesterday, and while I should have done 10 miles in keeping with my pattern of running 1/2 of Saturday's distance on Friday, I had visions of doubt, based on my poor performance two weeks earlier. Fear be gone. I CAN DO THIS!
I now enter the greatest phase of longer distance running. No, not the holiday season with parties, food and drink (although that might be the 2nd best phase of winter running - eating all you want while shedding calories on the weekends). I now begin "tapering" - slowing decreasing my weekly mileage, so by race day in mid-January, my legs are fresh, and any lingering pains have had a chance to recover. Therefore, you will see my weekly mileage go down over the next month, so I can hopefully finish this effort with a smile and arms raised high in accomplishment.
Yes friends - it is all downhill from here. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go rest my very tired pigs, while munching on all the holiday goodies that have arrived via mail. Guilt free, of course!
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