18-Mile Run/Walk

Marathon “training” continues, such as it is. It's hard to believe I've gone from running zero miles last April to running 18 miles yesterday, but there you go. Except.... well.... I didn't really run 18 miles. I actually ran 10 and walked 8... but it wasn't my fault! I could have run the whole thing, I'm very sure of it, but I was the “designated driver” in our group which meant that if anyone had to slow down or stop or whatever, I was supposed to stay with them and make sure they made it in ok. Sure enough, at 10 miles, one of my fellow runners had a little problem and had to stop running. She was ok to walk, but running just killed her. So we walked. For 8 miles. I learned that it's not too hard to walk 16-minute miles and I know that for the Marine Corp Marathon you just have to be sure you do the first 20 miles at an average of 15-minutes/mile or better to finish (they reopen the first part of the course to traffic after that point) so if I can just run a little in the first 20 miles I should be fine.

I kid! I'm going to run the whole thing, ok? So, but anyway, it was a little disappointing to not get to run the whole thing, but the good news as that the woman I walked 8 miles with was very entertaining so the time passed quickly. The strange thing was I felt just about as sore after running 10 and walking 8 as I felt two weeks ago after running 16. What's up with that?

So hey, just as the running continues, so does the fundraising! If you'd like to help out you can donate here. Or, if you've got more time than money, how about [nevermind. This has been edited to comply with commercial restrictions]. Since all proceeds go to the Whitman-Walker Clinic it's a simple way to contribute. Thanks!

Posted August 8, 2005 06:58 AM | marathon