I know I shouldn't start off a post with that type of title, but c'mon. Who runs 18 miles without stopping? It's not normal. I'm now convinced that a half marathon is a much smarter race distance. Especially since at the 13.1 mile mark of last Saturday's run, I thought to myself, "If I were running a half marathon, I'd be done training by now" and also thinking, "why not run the half marathon in Seattle?"
But, I set out to do a traditional marathon and that distance is 26.2 miles. So off I run.
However, I also need to rationalize a bit. The temperature in Seattle this past Saturday was 49 degrees for their low. My Phoenix low was 72 degrees, their HIGH for the day. So, I'm thinking that 18 miles in Phoenix heat has to have a conversion factor of some type so maybe it's like running 22 or 24 in 50 degree weather? I sure hope so, because the heat is a killer. Even when I start my long run Saturday training at 5:30 AM.
Side note: The Chicago Marathon that killed one marathoner and halted the race was stopped because it got to be 88 degrees. When I finished on Saturday, it was 94. Just for the record.
Injury update: So the ass injury is about 98% healed. I ran the 18 last week and felt strong cardiovascularly, muscle wise and injury wise so (knock on wood) I think I'm good to go. It's just a heat battle now. And a mental one.
Side note 2: I'm not only bitching about the heat. The toll running this distance takes on your body is not to be underestimated. I could barely walk up/down stairs on Sunday. Thank god for ibuprofen. I'm OK now but WOW, nobody tells you about this stuff before you embark on the "I'll run a marathon and get that off my bucket list" adventure.
Going long!
