August 3, 2021
I knew this would happen.
I was being very smart, and have been smart, but I had a feeling that I’d have a set back or two along the way to the NYC Marathon this November.
After my first 30-mile week, things started to go south a bit.
Continue reading “Running “With” Meb (Keep Moving Forward)”
I didn’t really think I could do it this quickly. I mean, ramp up to ten miles. My longest run just a little over a week ago was six miles. Then last week I did seven. That was HUGE!
Up until the moment I decided to do a long run today, I wasn’t even thinking ten miles. That seemed just too far.
Way too far…
And then, this morning, I thought, “Why not just do ten?”
Here was my weekly mileage for the first three full weeks of May 2020:
I was getting there.
The operative word is “was.”
A few years ago, no longer being a guy that could literally jump into his running shoes and bang out (seemingly, at least) any amount of miles, I invented a little running trick that I employed today.
One of the best people in this world is my dear friend Ed Hasse. He is just the greatest person ever. I treasure and greatly value the times when we are together. I especially love when we can run together.
Today we enjoyed our first ever “Social Distance” run. Ed came over to help me on my first three mile run since my surgery in January.
Yesterday was supposed to be my last one-mile run before ramping up to a run of 1.25 miles as I steadily progress…
But progress, or success, and even life itself, doesn’t always go in a straight line. Progress is not always forward. Sometimes, in order to go forward, we need to take a step back.
Well, I can keep this post short.
Today was supposed to be the day I attempted the mile.
I didn’t.
They finally locked the track. (We could call this post, “Locked Out.”)
I’ll try for the mile tomorrow, but I’ll either be out on the roads or on my treadmill. I think I’ll go outside so the speed is more natural, and not determined by a machine or the speed I set the machine at.
I’m disappointed. I wanted to do this on a track… today. But, such is life during a pandemic.
Until tomorrow…
…and with that long run, my 2019 marathon dream is over.
Today was supposed to be my last long run, a final effort, to prove to myself that I could actually do the marathon. The truth, the reality I must face, is that I can’t. Not this year.
I gave it everything I had.
And then some.
Today I bit off way more than I could chew.
I was fortunate, all three of my sons were home to celebrate a birthday, and two of them, Ryan and Ethan, are training for some upcoming long races. Because of that, they were both willing to slog along on a twelve mile “run” with me.
Our goal was to complete the entire Saddle River Bike Path, from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park, and then back again…a twelve mile jaunt.
The NYC Marathon is 7 weeks away.
I upped my long run (on the treadmill, again) to 12 miles. Again, not fast, but, slow and steady covers (if not wins) the race.
I just have to push through the pain that accompanies the run. The tears in my right Achilles aren’t exactly fun to deal with, during, or after the run. But pain is temporary, pride is forever!
I took only one quick walking break today, for less than a minute, at 5.0 miles.
Today was another step in the right direction.
I’ll push the distance to 15 miles next week.
New York City…here I come!
(I’ll see the surgery center after the race.)
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