… glory comes from turning around and running home.
I’m at that point in my marathon training, at 6 weeks out, where the excitement has worn off and I’m asking myself, “I have to run HOW far this weekend?!” Time grows short and schedules get in the way and when you need three or more hours to get a training run in - on a day that there isn’t work or school or church or the day after a night out - it gets more difficult to get them in. That being said, it’s like that with every other goal in the world.
At the beginning of a new diet, or exercise program, or job search, or (fill in the blank), you’re motivated and inspired to make a positive change. The hunger, or fatigue, or desperation doesn’t kick in immediately, especially if you see results. Then there’s a birthday – with cake. Or a vacation – with all-you-can-eat buffets. Or an illness that sidelines you for a couple of days. And it’s hard to get back into the swing of things and keep it going. There is no glory in starting anything, the glory comes in seeing it through.
I knew I needed to get a long run in. My 13 mile trek over the Arrigoni Bridge was a couple of weeks ago and with an out-of-state wedding the week before and the Patriots home opener coming up the next week, this weekend was my only opportunity. I had a pretty decent nights sleep the night before and had stocked up on Gatorade and energy gels, but I still didn’t quite believe that I’d get the long run in.
Despite this, I set out Sunday morning for a 16 mile run through Durham after dragging my feet for a while. The weather was gorgeous and cool and I felt good. When I came into Durham and ran through Allyn Brook Park, I decided that I enjoyed the distraction of seeing all the cars passing by and I felt so good, that I’d just keep going – all the way to Guilford. Instead of taking the turn on Higganum Road after the Durham Dari Serve to climb the massive hill and loop back around, I decided to continue down Route 77 to the Guilford line. It had nothing whatsoever to do with the massive hill, really. It felt really good to just keep going. Some races are designed as a loop course, whereas others – such as the Boston, New York, Disney and Marine Corps Marathons - are designed as a single destination course. If the road actually had a shoulder, I would’ve kept going to the Guilford Green and called for a ride when I got there.
I got to the Guilford town line, turned around and headed back. It was somewhat anti-climatic. Then I realized that I needed to run just as far back. What was I thinking? I started thinking that I’ve already run 13 miles however, and I’m not allowed to complain until after I’ve done more than I’ve done before. With that mindset, I got back to Allyn Brook Park pretty quickly and enjoyed a celebratory chocolate gel and some Gatorade.
To make a long story short, I made it 15 miles before calling for that ride home. I would’ve liked to go to 16 or the full 18 that it would’ve been if I made it home, but it was a good run and I was pleased with it. It was just long enough to give me a mental boost and just short enough to incite some healthy guilt during my next training run, which should be this weekend. Maybe I’ll run to Madison this time.
