18 miles done - getting prepared for 50K

Ok - I will officially state that I do intend to run a 50K in celebration of my 50th birthday.

After reading Born to Run by Chris McDougall, and meeting both Chris and Scott Jurek this fall, the idea to run beyond the marathon distance started to tickle my runner mind/body. Added to this was a desire to celebrate my turning 50 in a meaningful way. So as the cross country season and coaching wound down, I began to build long runs into my weekends. I had decided in November that I would work my way towards running a 50K (31 miles) on the first weekend in February as I am 50 on February 3, 2010. However, I told myself (Mary and Stu too) that I would not commit until I had run 18 miles (yeah there is still a half marathon left to run but I needed to know that my body could handle more miles than I had been running). Well on Saturday December 26 in Windsor California where Mary, Stu and I were visiting Brooke, Adam, Jordan and Sienna I completed 18+ miles with Stu running with me.

Although running 18 miles is far from 31 miles, I think it is long enough to begin to tax the body and test the mind in ways that are critical to knowing how to maneuver through the mental and physical barriers of longer distances. My long runs over the past two months had all been done with Stu, and have increased from 10 to the planned 18 Saturday. I was anxious, not just because of the distance, but two days earlier my left calf muscle had tightened and cramped considerable on a tempo run, and I was in pain for the next 24 hours. Along with my calf issue, I have been dealing with on again - off again pain in my right knee. So I knew that this run may not end in success, and therefore my ultimate goal of 50K would be far less likely.

I rose early for food, coffee, water, bathroom and stretching amidst the quiet of the day after Christmas in the house. I woke Stu, got dressed, drank more water, let Mary know our route and we headed out before 7AM. Light was just beginning to penetrate the early fog and dark of the country roads. The temperature was perfect for a long run in the high 30s. I let Stu know that we had to start slow as we jogged down Star Road into the vineyards surrounding Windsor. As Stu and I chatted, and found an easy rhythm up and down the hills of the first three miles, my mind constantly scanned my muscles for for tightness, soreness or worse - signs of injury. My confidence grew as my feet, legs, hips and upper body all loosened and moved easily.

Further out, into the farms that painted the landscape of the wine country we transversed narrow roads seldom seeing a car. The sun was rising above the Mayacamas mountains to the east as we passed 4 miles and turned onto Eastside Road. We cruised the next 4 miles on Eastside amidst valleys and hillsides of geometrically perfect dormant rows of pruned grape canes storing the unknown potential of a 2010 harvest. We talked about running, family, school, goals, history and friends and passed 8 miles running in tandem.

Our route was a 12 mile loop followed by a 6 mile loop, and now that we had been out an hour, I realized I should have put water out on the course. Due to my uncertainty with my leg issues, we had decided to bring a cell phone and as we closed in on 10 miles, we called Mary so that she would bring water and food to the 12 mile. I started to slow after 11 and Stu and I discussed if he would just run ahead and keep his pace through the next 6+ miles. We saw Mary with water and food, stopped and enjoyed the moment knowing that we would definitely make the next 6 and that Stu would just hang with me for it.

I had not run 18 for the past 6 years as I had not trained for anything beyond a half marathon and this was Stu's longest run ever (as was the previous weeks of 14 then 16). With a hug from Mary and renewed energy, we headed out into the hills. The country roads remained quiet as people woke slowly on this day after Christmas with even the cows, goats, horses and chickens not moving with any urgency.

Although strides up the hills were more difficult, the fuel and hydration that Mary provided, charged my body and we found our early pace through 13 - 14 - 15 and into 16 miles. My mind was now sending my body positive feedback that running was at the core of my existence and to tap into the joy of these moments. These are the moments that Dr. George Sheehan had written about in his book Running and Being - "There on a country road, moving at eight miles an hour, I discover the total universe, the natural and the supernatural that wise men speculate about. It is life, a world, a universe that begins on the other side of sweat and exhaustion.”

Stu kept the encouragement as we passed 16 into 17 and into the last mile. With my legs fatiguing and my stride shortening, I slowed, yet enjoyed the awareness that I could take this 18 mile run as a step to my February goal. And I could let the fear of the calf or knee problems melt away while using the knowledge of avoiding these issues for success on the next long run. And although I respect and am conscious that 31 miles is a very long long run, I am more excited and ready to make it a reality.

One of the unexpected aspects of this goal and training is running these long days with Stu while observing the incredible runner and person that he is. As I turn 50, I am so grateful the the health that allows me to be a runner and the joy of sharing that with Stu.

Keep Moving,
Chris