The Long, Long Run

"Marathons are extraordinarily difficult, but if you've got the training under your belt, and if you can run smart, the races take care of themselves." - Deena Kastor, First American woman to run a marathon under 2:20

Week One of Marathon Training

The Long Run

The thing about the long run is that it is really, really, lllooonnnggg.

I realize how important long runs are toward running a good marathon(translation - not die at mile 3), but distance running has always been my Achilles Heel , Runners Knee , Plantar Fasciitis, etc. etc.

I guess what separates a nutjob from the average runner is mental toughness. The nutjob looks forward to the marathon while the average runner (me) hopes to break an ankle and not have to actually run the marathon when that day comes. I know that is wrong thinking and I'm working on it.

After five years of trial and error, I've found that the best way to do a long run is to bring a nutjob along with me. Not only will they be positive and enthusiastic about running 20 miles in the hot blazing sun, but if you pick your nutjob right, they will also fill your mind up with many fun filled facts along the way.

Road Kill

Things I've learned from Nutjobs

Nutjobs aren't just all about running. They know other stuff too.

For example, did you know that you should only eat road kill/backyard pests in months that have an R in them? January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December are all "good eatin" months.

The Sixth Sense

My nutjob doesn't always have all of his senses, but he does have the most important one - the sense of humor. Definitely an asset on a long run. Don't listen to non-runners, suffering can be funny.

Who knows, with enough miles, mental toughness and a warped sense of humor, perhaps I too can conquer distance running.

So I guess this weeks lesson is "laugh, learn and run long".