(ETA: I'm such a nerd, but I just can't let this stand--I accidentally converted 6 kilometers into feet for my post title instead of 10. It should read 32808.399 feet. Sigh.)
Last year, when I was working out my 30 Before 30 list, one of the items that I included was running a 10K. The goal of my list was to push myself outside of my comfort zone, and since the longest I'd ever run was four miles, signing up for a 10K seemed like a reasonable enough challenge.
So, a couple of months ago, I decided to take the plunge and sign up for the Cooper River Bridge Run. It's a pretty big deal in the local area, with the city shutting down the main bridge into Charleston and 30,000 to 40,000 of your closest friends tying on their running shoes and dashing down the highway into the city. The biggest challenge of the run is that not only are you running a smidge over six miles, but one of those miles is at a 4% incline. So, that's fun.
Of course, when I first decided that this was my year for the 10K, it had been about 7 or 8 months since the last time my running shoes and I had spent any quality time together. My first run out, I was gasping and aching, and metaphorically kicking my overly enthusiastic 30B30 creating self in the butt after approximately 3 minutes. I was not literally kicking myself in the butt, because I lacked the energy and will to raise my foot that high.
Now that I've got about eight weeks of "training" behind me, I'm feeling a little better about my chances of not dying halfway across the bridge, but still not quite where I wanted to be at this point. I've run six miles twice in the past couple of weeks, and Colby and I went to run the bridge on the past two weekends, so I'm not feeling entirely unprepared, just undertrained. I've gotten to the point where I can run for about 30 minutes straight, then alternate walking 2-3 minutes and running 10. Past the one hour mark, I walk 2 and run 5. And yes, it definitely takes me over an hour to run six miles.
Today, I am venturing out for a seven mile run. It's my last long run before the race--next week I'll do a five mile run early in the week, then on Saturday, I'm off to the races. Even though I've survived six miles twice, seven is just really psyching me out big time. I've been putting this run off since last week, and am not thrilled about the fact that now I'll have to do it in 80 degree weather. Yay!
So, please, take a minute and think of me today as I wend my way through the wilds of our neighborhood on burning, shaking legs. My parched tongue and weakened limbs will be grateful for your well-wishes, and if I do not return from my hero's journey, please take heart in the knowledge that I always loved you best.
Go Angela, go!!!
Posted by: Veronica | March 23, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Run, Ang, run!
Posted by: Lynndaue | March 23, 2011 at 03:41 PM
You can do it! :) The one thing that always got me through long runs was picking out a spot in the distance (say, a light pole) and telling myself "all I have to do is run that far." Then once, I got to the light pole, I would always think "well, if I can do THAT, then I can totally run to that fire hyrdant (or whatever) down there." Basically, tricking myself into it. ;)
Posted by: Abby | March 23, 2011 at 04:38 PM
That's an awesome strategy! I'm going to try that today.
Posted by: Angela Noelle | March 23, 2011 at 04:50 PM
I agree with Abby! That's what I always did, and it worked so well! Good luck - you'll do great. :)
Posted by: Julie | March 23, 2011 at 05:51 PM
I'm so impressed you're doing this. I keep thinking I should try a 5K and then I remember I hate running and have never run more than a mile!
Posted by: A Super Girl | March 23, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Good luck! I'll be thinking of you!
Posted by: Emily Jane | March 23, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Good for you! That is very inspiring. I keep making running goals and not meeting them (as in, wimping out). Good luck to you on your big race!
Posted by: Melissa | March 23, 2011 at 10:05 PM
woo! you can do it! i wish i was a runner, but i'll just stay a walker and let you do the running for both of us, haha.
good luck!
Posted by: katelin | March 23, 2011 at 11:50 PM
I am so impressed with a) you signing up for a 10k and b) running for 30 minutes without stopping!
That is just awesome. Best of luck!
Posted by: Jen | March 24, 2011 at 01:51 AM
I don't think I was ever meant to run, so I just will cheer you on instead! You can do! Yay!!! Work those sweatbands and beat the heat!
Posted by: Kate P | March 24, 2011 at 02:19 AM
I meant, "You can do IT!" :)
Posted by: Kate P | March 24, 2011 at 02:19 AM
Just think how much easier it will be without a broken foot this time!
Posted by: Old Warrior | March 24, 2011 at 03:24 AM
7 miles?! I'm so impressed! Good luck!
Posted by: Thoughts Appear | March 24, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Dude. That is so impressive! I ran a half marathon a couple years ago - and it's definitely the first and last time I'll ever do it. It kicked my ass. Good luck - you'll do great!
Posted by: Chels | March 25, 2011 at 01:07 AM
Two of my buds are doing a 10 K in Austin this weekend! One of them did a half marathon a couple of months ago and only trained to 10 miles because supposedly the race day adrenaline pushes you through the last few. Since you know you can do 6 miles, I bet you'll kick butt! You'll have so much adrenaline and the competition of having thousands of other runners around will really help too! Congrats!
Posted by: Brittany Sco | March 25, 2011 at 07:18 AM