I have a confession to make: I’m planning to run a marathon. CRAZY, I know. I don't really know what I was thinking when I registered . . . it was peer pressure. My friend Linda, the one who carried me to the car after my LAST race, and her husband were the initiators. And then my friend Todd signed up. And so . . . I did, too.
It's a unique opportunity, which is why I let Linda and Phil talk me into it. Last June when we got here, we saw runners tearing through the Kenyan savannah on TV. The Safaricom Marathon is held on a wildlife conservancy in Northern Kenya. This site gives a good description of it, and has some pictures of people running with animals. It also uses some of my favorite catch phrases like "one of the ten toughest" marathon events in the world. I know, I'm reaching lunatic status . . . but our reasoning is that we are already training at 2,000 feet higher than the race and our "roads" are probably similar to what we'll be running on. Plus, who can pass up an opportunity to run with the animals? Especially since last year's race was delayed by a lion sunning itself on part of the circuit.
So, training. Being back in the states was great, I tore it up in Oklahoma, down at sea level and on sidewalks. I clocked 13 miles in Charlotte on my old stomping ground, the greenway. The weekend I got back we were supposed to do 12 . . . but the altitude! I felt all buzzy and light headed and could hardly do 7. Defeated. BUT . . . last weekend, Todd and I did 15! Which is the farthest either of us have ever run, and an accomplishment for Todd, who you'll remember . . . passed out during the half.
Today we set out to do 17. SEVENTEEN. Probably not the best idea, since I've been sick this week and spent almost every afternoon flat out on the couch instead of training. So let me just describe to you what that was like. First of all, we quit at 16. Because running that far is like aging three decads in the course of a few hours. I guess it's different for everyone, but for me . . . first, my stomach started to betray me, after 30 or 40 minutes. Then my hips started to fail. And then my knees started aching. And then the feet . . . and back and neck and butt and . . . well, everything. By the end it was all I could do to lift each foot . . . and so we quit a mile early.
Currently trying to put my body back together. Mind over matter. Tips and encouragement welcome.
4 comments:
I'm so impressed!!! I've stood on the side of the road - even in Nairobi - watching Coty run marathons, but never, ever run one. What a gorgeous place you have to run and what stories you will have to tell!
ahhh...sounds great! Good for you. I've always wanted to go to Lewa Downs. In fact, I'm tempted to come and cheer you on :) Is Matt running the same amount in solidarity with you? He should! Sounds like it will be hard, but great, too. Keep at it.
Lots of blogs- yay!!
I wish I hat some advice but my marathon training was not in AFRICA. I am trying to convince Jer to let me do Disney in January though.... Just push through it. 18 was my toughest I think but marathon day was much easier because we trained faithfully.
Love you and love the updates!!
you are crazy. but then again i'm pregnant with back pain when i walk up a flight of stairs. what do i know
Post a Comment