Lessons from Long Runs

I've been thinking about it a lot lately. Thinking about the things I've learned from running long races. Like...

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I am a lot tougher than I thought I was.

I can keep pushing when it doesn't seem possible to move another step.

Legs and feet that radiate pain can recover with just a few minutes rest.

Even when you think that IF you finish this race, you'll cut back to half marathons, because, hey, things didn't hurt like this at 13 miles, in reality, within minutes of finishing the race, you'll be contemplating the next one.

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Running with friends is the best.

Friends will run with you simply for the fun of it and don't care about times or speed or placing in a race.

Running alone, even for more than five hours, is good too, and sometimes necessary for the soul.

Who knew I had almost six hours worth of thought floating around in my head?

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Running on blisters is entirely possible, and in my case, often probable.

When blisters get big enough, the fluid in them sloshes while you are running.

On the rare occasion when blisters don't occur, it is a wonderful run!

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A person doesn't really need toenails on their first two toes.

Toenails don't grow back when you don't take breaks from racing.

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Running 26.2 miles wears a person out.

But, not so worn out that a person can't contemplate just five more miles.

And once those five more miles have been added, the next '50' goal pops up.

Turns out that's do-able too.

Then the next goal pops into the mind...it's only 12 more miles.

Chances are that's do-able too!

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Confidence comes from running a marathon.

Confidence comes from knowing you can endure.

Confidence comes from knowing you are strong.

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Life doesn't have to slow down as you age.

Running can start at age 36.

Marathoning can start at age 48.

There is no end in sight.

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Even when a person is off on a weekend adventure and run, they can feel jealous about missing out on someone else's fabulous run.

FOMO (fear of missing out) is real.

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It's important to eat and drink when running long.

It's important to eat and drink in the right quantities.

It's important to eat and drink adequately the day before the long run.

Solid food is better for some tummies than gels.

All manner of solid food will work.

Real Coke is a fine fuel.

So is chocolate soy milk.

And best of all? Starbucks Doubleshots!

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Rest is imperative.

Six hours a night for weeks on end is not good rest.

Running 25 miles or more the week after a marathon or 50k is not good rest.

Miraculously, if a person takes a few days off from running, and sleeps in too, the legs are ready and willing to go long and fast before a week is out.

If a person only takes one day off the normal schedule after running a long one, the legs are not ready to go long or fast, or even slow. The legs are dead tired.

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Dreams can come true.

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I have more...

resilience, fortitude, strength, breath, confidence, pride, stubbornness, stupidity, silliness, stiffness, speed, endurance, friends, love, freedom, grace, dreams and power

than I ever imagined.

And that is what running long has taught me.