On Saturday I ran 16 miles along the lake shore in Chicago. I have read about the long runs that the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) does on Saturday mornings, and Chris has told me about the long Team In Training runs on Saturdays, but this was my first time out there. I truly didn't feel like an endurance runner--really a runner of any kind--until I did that long run along the lake on Saturday. Running with hundreds of other people who were training or racing really put so many things in my mind into perspective. I will long remember the look on the faces of people running by or people stopping to drink at a fountain in the heat.
There is definitely something to the fact that it was 87º with humidity of 65% making the heat index about 95º that gave me a feeling of accomplishment after we were done. Finishing a long run in that kind of heat has made me feel like race day can throw anything it wants at me--heat, hills, whatever--and I'll be able to finish.
Now I'm not trying to get cocky...a marathon is 10 more miles beyond that 16...but mentally it has done a lot for me to finish these long runs...especially since every one so far has been in oppressive heat. It's all about building the miles and going the distance. It's been great learning when to drink, how much to drink, when to walk, etc. I'm learning what to expect from myself physically and mentally, and I guess that's what training is all about.
A friend of mine at work commented about training for the marathon that "there really is a science to all of this," and of course he is right. And if you follow the training schedule, then the rest is really up to you in your head. When I have a hard time running up a hill, get a cramp, etc. I remind myself that I'm running to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society--people with cancer and people who are supporting people with cancer--it's pretty easy to summon up strength to run another mile when I think about people with cancer who have trouble just standing up or being able to eat. So yes, there's science to this, but there's also commitment and motivation.
The greatest gift I have in all of this is my running partner, coach and beautiful wife Chris as well as our children. Having such a wonderfully supportive family makes all of the difference in what we are doing: how understanding the kids are when we run and how they come out and run or ride with us is great. Do not underestimate the ability of a pre-teen to enthuse and motivate! And do not discount the extra distance that can be run on a few dozen verses of "99 Bottles of Pop on the Wall." I am the luckiest and most thankful guy in the world.
Perhaps as a benefit of all of this training I will live long enough to see my childrens' grand-children. I think that's something I'll think about next time I have a long run.
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