Saturday 16 miler
COVID-19, “ The Rona Era”
It’s a warm, foggy, and rainy spring like morning. Though it is still winter. Today’s long run mileage is 16 miles. Still working my way to 20 miles. Last Sunday was 14 and it was a bit of a struggle. Today I have new shoes and new compression tights on. This will be a test run with the clothing items. Also I have some THC oil to rub on the knees and new hip and knee stretches I learned from pelvic floor PT. One the thing I did forgot, which I started to feel around mile 8/9 was my two aleve pills. I did bring the fuel built and the new energy fuel to try.
Besides the aleve I was ready. This morning started with being up at 5a.m. Doing the stretching exercises, making peanut better on rye bread and getting the coffee ready.
The time I parked by Mile Marker 20 on the Boston Marathon route it was 6:25a.m. Yes. I knew that 16 miles meant over two hours of running. I have to start getting my body and mind use to four to five hours of running on this course.
It was misty and a bit foggy when I started. I decided to run 8 miles out and back, which I not a fan of. This would give me another chance to run on a different part of the marathon route. I needed to expand where I run on the course anyway. From the 20 mile marker to Wellesly College is 8 miles.
I didn’t know that when I started. I was just going for 8 miles.
Early in the morning, there were not a lot of runners out. I saw a couple here and there. I saw some groups of runners running together.
After I passed the Hospital, the rest of the route was new to me( or new again). I got a feel of some of the inclines and scenic points to remember to know what that mile marker would be.
Body wise I felt good. The new compression tight are amazing. They should be since they cost $100.
Don’t tell me running is not expensive and how social class impacts this sport.
The first 10k was fine. I kept going slow, strong and steady. I saw a sign that stated Wellesly College was 2.5 miles away. Perfect. That would be my 8 mile marker.
I made note. The area was so beautiful and there are trails, beautiful homes, parks, churches with black lives matters and rainbow signs and chairs that stated all are welcome. Even running through the town center was very cute and felt expensive.
Even if I wasn’t sure were to run, I followed the direction of the runners. Some of the route did seen familiar because the Iowan and I drove the BM route, starting from Hopkinton to the 20 mile marker.
Once I got to Wellesly College, I turned around. On my way back to the 20 mile marker is when I saw all the runners. Groups of runners, teams of runners, all of them. More of the volunteer fuel stations were out.
If I did an overall count, I know I saw close to 100 runners this morning, at least and four black women and one black man running. Each of us acknowledged us on the route with a smile, thumbs up, and some words of affirmation, at least what I could hear.
I will say, there is a running community along the route. Runners will smile, say positive words, etc..
Today while running I had on my Black Girls Run out. I’m curious is that added to the runners’ acknowledgement. I know that was an added bonus when seeing the black runners.
Around mile 10 is when I realized I didn’t take any aleve. I slowed my pace down and was mindful to take in the sights, sounds, and location of where I was. I know starting from Hopkinton to Wellesley College is 13.1 miles. My brain switched to, “ You just ran a half marathon, now it’s time to finish. Start with the first 5k.”
I took a mental picture of where I was and how I felt 3 miles from W. College. Then the next 5k, etc. When I reached the fire station, I knew that was around the 17 mile marker and I had a 5k to go before I could reach my car.
The last 5k, I could feel my pelvic floor, my knees, I felt it all. I was still moving.
16.05, 10:41 mil/min pace. 2:51:28.
Side note: Last Saturday I ran 14 miles and finished around 2:40.
I’m going to keep on training, stretching, and running.
