Week 16: the longest run

On Monday, Nicky and I encountered the longest run yet. It's nerve wracking knowing you're going to just run for two and a half hours. Something inside you is saying "noooooo" but you also know 12 miles is not 26 so you got to get your ass out there and do it.

With the weather nearly 10 degrees cooler (with a splash or two of rain), I found it easier to find a faster pace. I have to be mindful of Nicky's shorter legs as she did have to ask me to slow down a bit.

The first 6 miles we killed it and then had some water and gummies (sugar, salts and whatnot for runners) to gear us up for the next 6. My knee started to hurt about 9 miles in so we walked the hill (I find uphill to be difficult if I'm sore) and then not long after we decided to do 13 miles, my back began to ache.

Now I've had a bad back for a long time - car accidents and a sledding accident did me in really but it's ok for the most part. The running though is showing it's not quite ok. Though I discovered on Monday that it wasn't the usual back issues I face. The major problem? My tight hips and hamstrings.

When Nicky had to stop and tie her shoe, I stretched my legs. Suddenly the back twinge was gone. My legs were the culprits! Curses!

So I'm going to have to do a few things the next 2 months so I don't hurt myself/
1) Yoga and stretching
2) Weight Training
3) 2 other days of training to act as cross training.
4) Go to a sports therapist to analyze my gait.
5) Buy new trainers (they've already done 68 miles!)

Apparently the Nike app allows you to give challenges to friends so Marianne and I are going to give it a go. Maybe this will help me get my speed drills in...

I couldn't have done it without you

Last and most important part of this post is here to thank Luke, Laura, my friends from around the world and especially Nicky for coming on this journey with me.

A year or so ago when I moved to New York, I'd never had expected to find friends willing to spend a entire night running with me. Who would come halfway across New York on Saturday morning to run in 100 degree heat. Who cheered me on every step of the way. Who said they were proud of me. Who were just amazing and lovely people. I knew they had to exist in New York, I just didn't know I'd find them so fast.

And this is one example of this awesome support...As as we hit 11 miles of the run on Monday night, and my back was done, Nicky asked if I could make it to 12. Yes, I said through gritted teeth. She nodded, fumbled through her pocket and pulled out her phone.

Your mom's Facebook post inspired this, she said.

A couple button presses later and "Eye of the Tiger" (also known to most as the Rocky song) came blasting out. Perfect. I was laughing and the two of us picked up the pace, singing along in the darkness of central park. We hit mile 12 as the song came to a triumphant end. We did it.

And I couldn't have done it without all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.