#chicagomarathon #running #p90x

Today is the first time I think I’ve actually looked at myself as a runner!  I used to be a sprinter in high school and college and would groan at the concept of having to do the 400m dash.  Last year I started doing 5k’s, 10k’s and a 1/2 marathon.  This year I’ve done 2 1/2 marathons and a 5k…

Today is my 2nd time running OVER 1/2 marathon distance where a medal is not involved at the finish.  I think this makes me a runner.  I know who to gauge distances while i’m running so that if i decide to change my route I can still get the miles I am needing/wanting to run, I think this makes me a runner.  When I pass other runners, the ones that would lap me last year and give me the “keep with it nod, you’ll get it” and I see them now and they give me the runner fuck’in A thumbs up, this makes me a runner.

My name is Bruce and I am a runner!

Today’s 16 mile run started at 4 am and took 30 minutes longer than last weeks 15 mile run.  I was upset about this initially and then I thought.  I’ve essentially run 2 1/2 marathons on back to back weekends with no rest.  I would typically have 6 weeks inbetween this type of run before.  Not to mention the 4 mile and 8 mile run during the week.  I think i’m doing ok!  This is a great feeling.  I still don’t quite catch a runner high like i did when I was a sprinter but I can tell i’m on the edge of it.  Maybe I need to push a little harder or run a little longer but it’s close.

Overall I feel good.  My right foot did not hurt at all this time.  Around mile 11 my the tendon in my left knee began to ache a little but i changes my stride and this went away.

Runner milestone - Today is the first time I’ve had to stop and take a dump in the middle of a run (I know, I know TMI but this is funny).  Mile 5 I suddenly feel the beast and I spot a Port-A-Potty on the trail…thank goodness.  I get into the thing and it’s 4:40am so it’s pitch black excepts for my phone and there is NO toilet paper!!!!  ARGH!!!!!  RAGE FACE!!!!

Screw it, I go anyway and hop around outside looking for a leaf or two.  The trees in this area are young so the leaves are small…go figure but I manage to find a few do a quick clean, find a water fountain to clean my stink finger and as i’m running away laughing I have the sudden thought, “this is how people get poison ivy on their butt”.  It was dark, i have no idea what kind of leaf i grabbed…oh well, it’s done.  I’ve read the stories of people having to go while running but this has never happened to me like this before.  Hopefully never again!

16miles in the book!  Next weeks long run is only 12 miles…HA!  

P90X week 2 is in the books.  I’ve putting my body through a lot of work with P90X and marathon training but i’m not getting hurt, i’m not getting injured and i’m taking care of the machine.  The reset taught me that if you feed it right, it will be there to perform and thus far, i’m happy.

Tomorrow start week 3 of P90X and I have two days off running.  Enjoy your weekend!