The Long Green Miles
Monday, February 25, 2008 at 5:39AM I just earned some Green Karma yesterday. I raced a local half marathon without using any gas. I signed up for it over the Internet, biked to packet pickup on Friday, then ran 10 miles each way to race it on Sunday. I totalled 33 miles running, and even though it hurt, I'll remember it for life.
Why run to and from a half mary? I want to become a better runner. Many ultra-runners get in extra miles by biking or running to races, running to work, or simply running whenever it's feasible instead of driving a car.
I did well for a while, but the joint pain from doing the Rocky Raccoon 50 miler trail run a few weeks ago started to creep in around mile 16. I was bursting with pride, wanting to tell everybody during the race that I had run there and still had to run home, but kept myself humble and only mentioned it in passing to a couple of ladies running together that were chatting about doing Ironmans. Besides, I'll save yapping about it to others during the race until I'm actually fast. I don't expect that to happen anytime soon!
I recorded a podcast along the way, so there's a show about it in the works. I felt like I could keep running aerobically, but the joint pain was a real limiter. I averaged 135 bpm hr and felt energetic most of the way, so my fitness is fantastic. I just need to lay off the leg work for a while and let everything recover. I guess it's pool time!
Reader Comments (8)
Green Karma is under-rated. Way to lead by example! Nice work this weekend and you def earned your active recovery in the pool--enjoy!
Very cool! Great way to get a long run in for the day. SO, when it hurt at mile 16, was that mile six of the 1/2 marathon?
You're really creeping over to the dark side quickly. This is how Dean Karnazes got his start..
Wow, great comments.
@Toby- Thanks! You're right by setting the example. I could blab all day about how to do it. Doing it and making a show of it is much better.
@Kim - Right, it hurt at mile 6 of the half. Energy issues made me doubt myself for a while, but gatorade showed up at mile 8 of the half and I felt good ater that.
Just like the Force, the dark side is very powerful...
Wow… great run!
I’ve been thinking about riding into work a couple days a week, its 40 miles each way. I guess I have no excuse!
john, you don't have to do it a lot, just do it once. JUST ONCE! Surprise yourself, surprise others. Pay attention to what sucked and what was cool and write it down in case you want to ever do it again.
Riding a bike to work has a strange effect on others. People will see that and try it themselves. Be the change you want to see in others. Important - park your bike where people can see it and ask you about it. If you place it in a hidden area, no one will know and you won't impact anybody's life.
Brett, Sounds like your hooked. I like the fact that the podcast has transitioned into alittle of everything. I have been listening for about a year. I listen to the podcast on my bike to and from the firehouse. What supplements do you tak for your joints?
Just beer and time.
I dropped my car off in town this morning to get worked on. Ran back to my house. It was cool! Took me just over an hour. It's starting to get hot down here!
Phentermine.