Monday, September 11, 2006

Humbled And Delusionaled

DSC_0027If you look closely at this photo, you can see the salt that my body purges while I'm out on a long run. Last Saturday's salt levels weren't particularly bad, as it wasn't very hot, but it was the first time I remembered to take a picture of it. I'm surprised that small woodland animals aren't running up to me for a lick.

Last Saturday was my last big long run before Tahoe. 22 miles. I'm happy to say that I will not be running another such run for at least 9 months. Remember, I'm on the one marathon a year program. During my long runs, I need something to keep my mind off the fact that I'll be running 22 miles. I've developed a real passion for running people down and not being passed. Prideful, yes. Distracting and fun, yes, yes.

I was moving along pretty well, picking people off one by one or in one case a huge group of people and then off in the distance I saw him, a runner about a half mile ahead of me. I was determined to get him. I slowly started to reel him in. Surprisingly, it took longer than expected. It was probably about four miles before I caught him. As I caught up to him, I could tell that this guy was a serious runner and also a little bit older than me. We were also both running sub-7 miles. As I drew abreast, he started talking to me. He asked how far I was going. I puffed out my chest and said, 22 miles. He laughed and told me to ask him how far he was going. I asked and he said 22 miles. It turned out we're both running marathons in three weeks. He then told me that he was shooting for a 2:55 marathon and that it would be sweet if he could do it because he was turning 51 on Monday and to PR right after turning 51 would be special.

I hope he didn't see my jaw drop. Wow. Amazing. I told him he was the man and then we chit chatted for another couple of minutes before we hit his turnaround point. I hope I'm still running strong at 51. If genetics have anything to do with it and they always do so I'm not too worried about it, then I'm sure I will be.

Now I told you that I like running people down and I don't like getting passed. Well, I don't remember the last time I was passed. It's probably because I treat every training run like a race, but what can you do. To run fast, you've gotta run fast. Well, at about mile 18, I heard footsteps behind me. My heart began to beat a little faster. No way is some chump that is out for a 3 mile run going to pass me at mile 18. I'm not a mark. I'm the marker. So I slowly sped up. I couldn't shake the guy. Finally after about a mile, I'm resigned to getting passed. It's going to happen. But the person won't pass me. At this point, I'm beginning to get annoyed. Just pass me already dammit. I refused to look back as I didn't want to see this person's smiling face as he toyed with me.

About a minute later, I realized that there was no one behind me. What I took for footsteps was in fact the sloshing of my two water bottles. My delusional already having run 19 miles mind was playing tricks on me. I was glad that no one was around, as I'm sure I turned an even brighter shade of red.

To infinity and beyond!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I actually laughed out loud. I, too, hate to be passed, but am resigned to the fact that I am a slow runner. However, if my water bottles were to break free and sprint ahead, I bet I could outrun them.

liz said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mo said...

Salt from your body??? Puhlease, I look forward to your "Psoriasis" post next week when you come clean about your skin condition.

The Empty Nesters said...

What could Liz possibly have said that had to be removed from this post? Hmmm.

liz said...

I was trying to tell Melanie she is so dang funny, but I spelled her name wrong and gave up.

Mike- I love your eye. Both of them, actually.

Anonymous said...

People try to pass me... I trip them and walk over them.

Nobody passes me and gets away with it. The problem with water bottles is no matter how hard you try you can't step on them and break it - no matter how hard you try. I would end up tripping and rolling an ankle or something.

My car covered 26 miles in 25 min. It was too easy... but next time I will do it faster. (no worries... no kiddies on board.)

Lisa said...

I just finished my longest run (20 miles) before the St. George Marathon - any advice?