A SUAR Kind Of 18-Miler

So, as you may recall, yesterday was my 18 miler.

I was anxious, but not freaking out. I ate my usual pre-race food the day before, and had a really pretty pre-dawn run Friday morning. Friday night, I was feeling good. I went to bed early, more concerned with the weather forecast than anything else.

Saturday morning I was up at 4:00. I had my breakfast, coffee, and got "things" moving. I was struggling with what to wear - it was 47 degrees and windy and showers were predicted. I settled on capris and a short-sleeved tech shirt. I packed up my stuff and threw a long-sleeved shirt in for good measure, and then I headed out to Independence Grove to run the Des Plaines river trail.

I got there only a few minutes later than planned (success!!) and immediately knew I'd need that long-sleeved shirt. I threw it on over the top of the other one and headed out for my first nine.

My plan was simple - and out and back route which is 4.5 miles each way. I was doing 9 solo, and then meeting my running club for my second nine. This way, I could go out slow and manage my pace without feeling like I was holding anyone back. I was determined to run my own run.

My first nine was beautiful. It was not raining, just a light mist that would come and go. The weather said the winds were at 17 mph, but there was so much tree cover that I never struggled with the wind at all. I was just enjoying the peace of the trail. My shin never even announced itself. My only weirdness was a shooting pain on the bottom outside of my left foot at mile 2.75. It really really hurt, and I was worried that I was done so soon, but it went away in less than a mile. It's still a little sore today, but no big deal. Splits for the first nine: 11:45, 11:14, 11:17, 10:58, 10:41, 11:00, 10:54, 11:14, 10:48. These were a little faster than I was trying for, but my effort was consistent and I was feeling really really good.

I got back to my car, took a salt cap (I had never done this before, and I feel like my legs appreciated it), filled up my handheld, used the bathroom and we were off again. I ran the first couple with a guy from the club who'd done the full marathon in Kenosha last weekend. His legs were feeling it, so he was happy to run slow with me. It was nice to chat for a while. After a couple miles, he turned back, and I gu'd and kept on. On this trail, there's a bathroom, a permanent portopotty really, 3 miles up the trail, so I knew I had a potty every 3 miles, which was reassuring, because now my stomach was getting wonky. I stopped to go, but couldn't poop, even though I felt like I had to. So I kept on.

I met up with a couple other runners shortly after that, and one of them decided to turn around and run with me for a while. Miles 13 and 14 were punctuated with me needing to stop to walk off my stomach cramps. Lovely. We hit mile 14 and it was getting bad, but I knew that the toilet was just a mile up the trail. What I DIDN'T know was if I could make it there in time.

I sent Sarah on ahead, knowing that it was going to be the mother of all potty stops. I was WISHING I had some TP or something on me to wipe with - I'd have squatted in the bushes. Finally, FINALLY I could see the bathroom and I booked it.

Alas. Not quite in time. I was forced to run the last 3 in one less article of clothing than I started with. Ahem. I was extremely glad to NOT be among the crew of commando runners - not sure what the hell I'd have done in that case. As it was, after a bit of contortionist maneuvers in the bathroom, and probably half a roll of TP, I was on my way, and the only thing I suffered was ass-cheek chaffing.

I was still feeling strong, albeit a little mentally defeated by the whole deal. I walked a bunch of the last major hill, but I was still moving well. About a half a mile from the end, I spotted a couple of running club buddies coming back my way. Sarah had been worried about me and sent out search and rescue! I told them what happened and we laughed and ran it in. DONE! Splits for the last nine: 10:45, 11:25, 11ish (stopped my garmin for a mile - DOH!), 11:52, 11:11, 11:47, 11:41, 12:44, 11:18, 10:27. Overall pace was 11:17 or so.

While my stomach frustrates me, I was SO HAPPY with this run. I felt so strong at the end (we were running 9's the last half mile!) and I could have gone farther, even if I was glad to not need to.

Afterwards, no rest for the weary - we got everyone dressed up and headed out for a First Communion. It was a really nice evening, and I was super tired, but proud. It was nearly 11 by the time we got everyone home and into bed, and I crashed soon after. I'm feeling good today - a bit tired and sore, but nothing major. All in all, SUCCESS.