Let's cut straight to the chase here... I RAN 22 MILES!!!
*insert battle cry here* (Actually, I really need to work on this battle cry, what should it be??? Like my redheaded war cry ya know? Hmmm....)
Friday night as discussed I trekked over to B.o.B's side of the state and we settled into our extremely party-animalistic Friday night... eating dinner, watching Coach EK's video of him running the 2006 Chicago Marathon where I swear I most certainly did NOT* get emotional and want to cry (Best part... when they do some close-ups of people hitting "the wall" after mile 20... B.o.B: Don't watch this part! No don't look! You're not going to look like that!!!! Turn away from the TV!!!! LOL!!!) catching a spectacular episode of the Golden Girls (oh how I love the GG's), having B.o.B make fun of me as I go through my stretching routine (OMG what are you doing?!?!? AHAHAHAHAHA) and finally settling into bed whilst it was still light out. I love us. We rock.
So did I mention that I ran 22 miles? Oh I did? Ok... just making sure.
Fast forward to 3am... it's wakey-wakey time and we fall into the motions of our respective getting ready routines. With all systems go we head over to the B.R.A. meet-up headquarters for the route. It's a 4 1/2 mile out & back with plenty of water along the way, gas stations at each end and porta potties in between. Como? What is this organization thing they speak of?
I fall into place with two lovely ladies of the B.R.A. and we proceed to kill the next 18 miles with little to no problem. I feel strong, the pace is perfect, the ladies are great and we pass the time swapping our running backgrounds as the miles tick off. At the 18 mark we only have one more out to go before we're done and I am def feeling the heat and getting tired. Just as we prepare to head back out I see P-Funk coming in B.o.B-less. Uh-oh... as the seconds tick by I finally see her visor bouncing along and instantly feel relief... until I see her face. She's in pain. No bueno.
Upon arriving she recaps to us that her ankle is bothering her and she isn't going to be able to finish the run. I can see the disappointment dripping off her. My heart aches for her because I know how hard it is. I've been in her shoes and it's not fun. I tell her not to push herself and to just call it a day, 18 is still a very respectable distance and she'll kick herself in the @ss if she hurts herself further. With a nod of understanding I hand her a Naproxen and hope against all hope she heeds every one's warning.
I head out and fall in line behind the girls as we set out to finish up the 4 remaining miles. No sooner do we start out that I know without a doubt it's going to be a rough 4 miles. At 19 I take a walk break so I can stretch my calves and thus fall behind. At Mile 20, same thing. By this point P-Funk has caught up to me and we run the next mile more or less together, chatting away. At Mile 21, another walk break is needed. P-Funk steams on and I have a little inner chat with myself...
Negative Nancy: 21 miles is still pretty d@mn respectable. You should just stop... look at you you're a tired, sweaty mess.
Motivated Morgan: Eff that, it's only one more frigging mile. Just DO IT!!!
Negative Nancy: But it's soooooooooo far... just quit... 21 miles is still 21 friggin miles.
Motivated Morgan: Ok how about a compromise? At 22 miles you can stop and walk it in. Your plan calls for 22 miles so just stop there and you're done. You can walk your happy @ss in the remaining .5 miles and still have accomplished the plan.
Negative Nancy: Alright... but it sounds better to just stop and walk now.
Motivated Morgan: JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!
So I busted out the last mile. Flipped my Nike+ the bird when it rolled over the 22, promptly pushed "END WORKOUT" and walked my happy, exhausted, sweaty, disgusting @ss into the finish. 22 Miles - CHECK!
I RAN 22 MILES!!! I only have to run 4.2 miles further and I'll have run a friggin marathon!!! Un-be-liev-able.
After everyone was accounted for and cleaned up (or as cleaned up as you can get after 22 miles) we headed over to Panera for some much deserved breakfast where I assure you I most certainly did NOT* order a spinach & artichoke egg souffle AND whole grain bagel and devour every morsel of each. The next hour was spent cracking up at the B.R.A. hi jinks and regaling in the camaraderie. Every time I hang out with them, it makes me so sad I don't have a running family like this in Orlando. From the pervy convo's to the total and unabashed show of encouragement and support, you really can't find a better group of runners than the B.R.A. Thanks again guys for letting me run with you! Looking forward to next time already!
The highlights of the day/run are as follows:
When I got to Lazy Runner's birthday celebration Saturday night everyone introduced themselves to me and either said "You must be the runner girl" and/or "You ran 22 miles this morning didn't you." It kinda made me happy to be the known as the runner girl. LOL! LR and I also realized that it was the first time we had ever seen each other outside of running. We met at a 5k, ran into each other again at a 10k and then started running together... 7 months later and we finally got to see each other unsweaty, unsmelly, freshly showered and put together. It was kind awkward. LOL! Since we didn't run together this weekend I put together a "running care package" for his run this morning with Capt. C. I think it made his night... well that and the gloriously yummy carrot cake we ate in celebration. Mmmm...
Besides all that there was a whole lot of being exhausted and napping... If this was any indication of how tired I'll be after the marathon, I'm basically going to be useless! With that being said...
22 MILES DONE!!! ONLY 4.2 MILES FURTHER & 6 WEEKS TO GO!!! CHICAGO HERE I COME!!!
*Totally DID.
*insert battle cry here* (Actually, I really need to work on this battle cry, what should it be??? Like my redheaded war cry ya know? Hmmm....)
Friday night as discussed I trekked over to B.o.B's side of the state and we settled into our extremely party-animalistic Friday night... eating dinner, watching Coach EK's video of him running the 2006 Chicago Marathon where I swear I most certainly did NOT* get emotional and want to cry (Best part... when they do some close-ups of people hitting "the wall" after mile 20... B.o.B: Don't watch this part! No don't look! You're not going to look like that!!!! Turn away from the TV!!!! LOL!!!) catching a spectacular episode of the Golden Girls (oh how I love the GG's), having B.o.B make fun of me as I go through my stretching routine (OMG what are you doing?!?!? AHAHAHAHAHA) and finally settling into bed whilst it was still light out. I love us. We rock.
So did I mention that I ran 22 miles? Oh I did? Ok... just making sure.
Fast forward to 3am... it's wakey-wakey time and we fall into the motions of our respective getting ready routines. With all systems go we head over to the B.R.A. meet-up headquarters for the route. It's a 4 1/2 mile out & back with plenty of water along the way, gas stations at each end and porta potties in between. Como? What is this organization thing they speak of?
I fall into place with two lovely ladies of the B.R.A. and we proceed to kill the next 18 miles with little to no problem. I feel strong, the pace is perfect, the ladies are great and we pass the time swapping our running backgrounds as the miles tick off. At the 18 mark we only have one more out to go before we're done and I am def feeling the heat and getting tired. Just as we prepare to head back out I see P-Funk coming in B.o.B-less. Uh-oh... as the seconds tick by I finally see her visor bouncing along and instantly feel relief... until I see her face. She's in pain. No bueno.
Upon arriving she recaps to us that her ankle is bothering her and she isn't going to be able to finish the run. I can see the disappointment dripping off her. My heart aches for her because I know how hard it is. I've been in her shoes and it's not fun. I tell her not to push herself and to just call it a day, 18 is still a very respectable distance and she'll kick herself in the @ss if she hurts herself further. With a nod of understanding I hand her a Naproxen and hope against all hope she heeds every one's warning.
I head out and fall in line behind the girls as we set out to finish up the 4 remaining miles. No sooner do we start out that I know without a doubt it's going to be a rough 4 miles. At 19 I take a walk break so I can stretch my calves and thus fall behind. At Mile 20, same thing. By this point P-Funk has caught up to me and we run the next mile more or less together, chatting away. At Mile 21, another walk break is needed. P-Funk steams on and I have a little inner chat with myself...
Negative Nancy: 21 miles is still pretty d@mn respectable. You should just stop... look at you you're a tired, sweaty mess.
Motivated Morgan: Eff that, it's only one more frigging mile. Just DO IT!!!
Negative Nancy: But it's soooooooooo far... just quit... 21 miles is still 21 friggin miles.
Motivated Morgan: Ok how about a compromise? At 22 miles you can stop and walk it in. Your plan calls for 22 miles so just stop there and you're done. You can walk your happy @ss in the remaining .5 miles and still have accomplished the plan.
Negative Nancy: Alright... but it sounds better to just stop and walk now.
Motivated Morgan: JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!
So I busted out the last mile. Flipped my Nike+ the bird when it rolled over the 22, promptly pushed "END WORKOUT" and walked my happy, exhausted, sweaty, disgusting @ss into the finish. 22 Miles - CHECK!
I RAN 22 MILES!!! I only have to run 4.2 miles further and I'll have run a friggin marathon!!! Un-be-liev-able.
After everyone was accounted for and cleaned up (or as cleaned up as you can get after 22 miles) we headed over to Panera for some much deserved breakfast where I assure you I most certainly did NOT* order a spinach & artichoke egg souffle AND whole grain bagel and devour every morsel of each. The next hour was spent cracking up at the B.R.A. hi jinks and regaling in the camaraderie. Every time I hang out with them, it makes me so sad I don't have a running family like this in Orlando. From the pervy convo's to the total and unabashed show of encouragement and support, you really can't find a better group of runners than the B.R.A. Thanks again guys for letting me run with you! Looking forward to next time already!
The highlights of the day/run are as follows:
- Being the ONLY runner without a headlamp.
- R & H spiderweb blocking until R got viciously attached by giant spider. (What is with all these d@mn spiders?!?!?)
- Noticing the giant incline that went on forever and H "comforting me" by saying, "Oh yeah see that tree up there? Yeah well no matter how long you run it feels like you never get to it." Thanks a lot!!!
- Meeting the infamous Navy Steve and Caribbean Steve
- Everyone who hadn't met me yet saying "You must be The Redhead"
- Coach Tom's sweaty hug at the 9 mile mark
- Coach Tom convinced I was giving him the key to my heart when I handed him B.o.B's car key
- R trumping my burp and telling me it's because she pulls it from the gut. Classy! LOL!
- The 7-11 lady asking me if I was ok at the 18 mark (I must have looked pretty bad)
- Realizing I might just be a vampire runner because too much face time with the sun kicks my @ss. More night/early morning running please!
- Hearing Coach EK explain his drink situation about 20 times
- All the different random conversations I couldn't quite keep up with around the breakfast table
- Navy Steve using his stick on me. It was very long, hard and kinda hurt. ;)
- Coach Tom holding a round of applause for all the 22 mile virgins
- Me telling B.o.B every 10 minutes or so that I had ran 22 miles
- B.o.B proclaiming herself my running mom as she dumped the ice in my ice bath
- Lloyd the Attack Terrier's stinky breathe all up in my face while B.o.B and I tried to stay awake while elevating
When I got to Lazy Runner's birthday celebration Saturday night everyone introduced themselves to me and either said "You must be the runner girl" and/or "You ran 22 miles this morning didn't you." It kinda made me happy to be the known as the runner girl. LOL! LR and I also realized that it was the first time we had ever seen each other outside of running. We met at a 5k, ran into each other again at a 10k and then started running together... 7 months later and we finally got to see each other unsweaty, unsmelly, freshly showered and put together. It was kind awkward. LOL! Since we didn't run together this weekend I put together a "running care package" for his run this morning with Capt. C. I think it made his night... well that and the gloriously yummy carrot cake we ate in celebration. Mmmm...
Besides all that there was a whole lot of being exhausted and napping... If this was any indication of how tired I'll be after the marathon, I'm basically going to be useless! With that being said...
22 MILES DONE!!! ONLY 4.2 MILES FURTHER & 6 WEEKS TO GO!!! CHICAGO HERE I COME!!!
*Totally DID.
43 comments:
I want to say congratulations but all I can think of is 'you get up at 3am to run 22 miles??????' You are one motivated woman! But congratulations too :)
WOO HOO! That's SO awesome! 22 miles is FAR and it's great that you handled it so well. I can't believe you guys did a bunch of out and backs, though. Mentally that must have been kind of tough!
Your post was TOTALLY motivational for me this morning as I'm about to embark on a measly 10-miler!! YAY!
AWESOME!!! Great job with the 22 miles! You've got this Marathon in the bag!
Way to work it, Redhead girl! Must feel awesome to have rocked the 22 miles. I think you have everyone's permission to proclaim your awesomeness to everyone you know...because you know, not everyone can rock a 22-miler! Haha! You are so ready for Chicago! Uh-huh, oh yeah! Congrats!
A couple of comments:
1. I believe it was Coach Tom who led the "22 mile virgin" cheers.
2. You did 22 miles. You rock!!
3. Since I have a whole new audience, the drink situation was this: I am (slightly) addicted to Starbucks "Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate". They recently discontinued it (no salt). So, I ordered a "Caramel Hot Chocolate", and brought my own sea salt. Add said salt to said drink, and voila!! I am back in business.
4. Did I mention you did 22 miles yesterday? You rock!!
See you next time you are in Tampa.
I was recently reading a blog and apparently, some random redhead ran 22 miles. She must be pretty darn awesome.
Oh my gosh! That's awesome! You should be so proud--rock on! Actually, I think that's what your battle cry should be: Redhead leaps over finish line and drops to one knee, victorious, as she pumps one fist in the air with index and pinky fingers extended and screams Rock ON! :)
amazing...I am so happy/proud of you! I am motivated to do a run, later today, after reading your awesome feat!
Did you run 22 miles?
Yes, yes you did.
Way to go boo! I am very excited for you and super happy that I got to witness it. Can't wait for you to run with us again. Your room is always ready for you.
P.S. I am going to brush Lloyd's teeth. His breath is just really out of control.
YES YOU DID!! I knew you could little lady. Love the Negative vs/ motivated self talk...oh and the inserst of Spanish.
Way to GO!!
FYI I have a Shorts Giveaway on my Blog if you are interested. Trying to get to 200 comments so I need all the redheaded bloggy support I can get.
Hugs to 22!!
I am so glad that motivated Morgan won that battle! You are a BAD ASS! Way to go...you are going to rock that marathon!
Dang, girl! Way to rock 22 miles :D
You are awesome! Congrats on such a long distance!
Great job! Such a great accomplishment!!
1. GOOD FREAKING JOB!
2. I still can't believe you jumped from 18 to 22 in one week! You're inssane!
3. I ran 16 yesterday, and that is victory in my eyes. We're taking next week off for the holiday and then pumping out 18 in two weeks, followed by 20 and then 22. So I'm now 4 weeks away from doing what you just did, and to tell you the truth, it makes me happy that you've done it first and lived to tell about it!
4. Is this your first full marathon? It's my first full, but I have run 4 halfs.
5. Are you sore today? I am. Just a little. But don't tell anyone!!
I bow in your presence.
WoooooHoooooo!! Way to knock it out of the park!!
Way to go! 22 miles!! :)
Awesome! I think pushing it past the 20 mile mark is a good test for the marathon - especially for the mental aspect.
Well done. You are so ready for Chicago both physically and mentally. Enjoy what is left of the weekend.
Great job on the 22 miler! That's such a great accomplishment, and definitely brag-worthy. Way to fight your inner demons on the run too, I'm constantly talking to myself when I run like that.
oh I am so proud of you my little redhead! I am even more proud that you ran 22 miles and wore out some heels :) See maybe a little of me is rubbin' off on you as well :) Congrats again YOU ROCK!!!
OMG! Congrats on the 22 miles! You are awesome!
ps... and TOTALLY deserving of eating the entire Panera line up!
Congrats on the 22!
And thank you so much for stopping my little hole in the wall blog the other day
I need all the friends I can get, even if you are completely across the country!
Hey that is awesome! Marathon day will be a breeze after the training. BTW, headed to Florida for Labor Day, so my next long run will be in the Sunshine State.
that is TOTALLY FREAKIN AMAZING TO ME.
completely.
me? I drive 22 miles ;)
MizFit
Having a good group for LRs really makes a HUGE difference - getting creative and traveling for training over there! I like it! :) CONGRATS on 22!
Woohoo for the battle cry! I would be in the ground if I ran that long ;)
Great job!! So, how far did you run?! LOL
Congrats girl!! Thats one of the reasons why we love running. We get to face our greatest enemy with our greatest ally. Its you vs you.
Good job on the 22!!!
mmm carrot cake!!!
hope you ate the whole carrot cake :) CONGRATS girl, i'm in awe!
Way to go, Morgan! You totally rocked it. You've GOT this marathon.
Sounds like some great company. What a fun group to run with!
Congrats, girl!!!
awesome awesome job on the 22. I would be bragging about that for DAYS. :) you're going to beat the marathon up. :p
YAY!!! That's awesome. You're going to kick 26.2's butt.
YAY! you totally rocked it. I on the other hand had an epic toe fail. Story of my life. :( ha ha. Anyways, great job!!! You are so going to rock the marathon, seriously!
awesome run, all 22M of it! just think, in 6 weeks you will be running an entire marathon with about 40,000 people! and magic and the danger lie past mile 20, and you did a great job breaking that barrier!
Congrats on running such a long, albeit undisclosed distance. Great job!
And way to have a level head for your injured friend. Cheers!
Congrats Jen.
Wait until you do your marathon. You can buy all kinds of apparel and accessories proclaiming that you do 26.2 miles and are a marathoner. Make sure you don't buy anything that just says marathoner without the 26.2 though. If you do, I guarantee people will be asking you how long the marathon you did was.
seriously awesome job on the 22 miler! yeah i've never run that far in marathon training so... you're gonna rock chi town! :) i'm so proud of you - however, i'm not sure if i am more proud of you finishing the distance or for running without LR ;)
allow me to live vicariously through your long run skills!!
Hey, that is completely fantastic!! *furrowing brows in concern* now realizing that my marathon is only one week after yours and I have yet to do my 22-miler *panic level increasing*
PS: my word verificatin is "deucto" which I am going to pronounce "deuce-toe" and employ in this way: "Wow, Morgan ran a deucto this weekend--22 miles!" CONGRATS!
AWESOME! I applaud your running 22 miles. I finished a marathon back in '98, but it was a run/walk kinda deal. I don't believe I've ever run more than a few miles without stopping to walk a bit before running again. You are awesome!
WOOOOO twenty TWO miles! amazing job girl :) way to battle those negative thoughts and finish it up too... great practice come race day!!! you are awesome :)
Post a Comment