Pure Torture
April 18th, 2010
I ran 20 miles today.. which should explain why it’s 9:30 and I’m in bed about to fall asleep.
I snapped this picture on my run, which I felt was appropriate:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ~Confucius
What Confucius neglects to add is that after mile 15 you will hurt, and once you finish your journey, you’ll hurt worse.
I completed it in 3:43, which is a little bit slower than my normal pace, but I don’t mind. I mean really, I ran 20 freaking miles.
And this lady ran the first 9 with me. And I think I talked her poor ear off. I’m all about making my life and the lives of others miserable. Just ask her. She started hating me around mile 4. Hey, I’ve done my entire training by myself!
I finished my run with a small can of Ginger Ale and most of a Clif Bar to prevent post-run nausea. Although nausea would be a nice addition to aching joints and a stiff back…
And when I got home I found Dave with a large cheese pizza and had consumed 4 pieces before I even realized that I was eating. Oh, training. I can’t even enjoy food anymore. It’s gone before I even know what it is. I sure hope it was cheese pizza and not pepperoni!
Then, because running for over 3 hours isn’t torture enough, I took an ice bath. I screamed for the entire 3 minutes that it took me to get into it. Dave took a picture which he insisted needed to end up on the blog, thanks Dave. Note: I am in a bathing suit, you just can’t see it.
And to make sure that my husband shared in my misery (or repayment for the picture?). I made him massage my butt and legs, which he tells me were like popsicles. I wouldn’t know. I was numb from the waist down.
What’s funny about it all is that I loved it. I feel so proud of myself and can’t wait to go run that marathon. I am constantly amazed at what my body is capable of (when my mind lets it do its thing).
It’s a torture to run 20 miles, but it’s a huge accomplishment. I didn’t regret the first step that began my journey, and I didn’t regret a single step along the way. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Well, once I can feel my legs again.
Are there any tortuous activities that you do for the sake of something that you love? Where do you draw the line between “worth it” and “insanity”?
Post Scriptum: Don’t forget that April is Donate Life Month
Categories: Uncategorized
<3 this pic! You rock 20 miles is AMAZING!!!!! I am working on the 2!!!
Keep going, girl! You are doing well!
CONGRATS!! I am so impressed with that ice bath. THose are torture! But worth it. Glad you were able to run today. Great job!
It was torture for a few minutes–then I went numb!!
Congrats on the PDR – 20 miles that rocks!!!
Thanks, Heather. It’s so weird!
I’m too much of a wimp to attempt the ice bath ritual.
My moment of insanity came last August, when I was training for my first half marathon. Pretty sure it was an 18K long run. I vomitted about the 14K mark, walked for 4 minutes, then ran the rest of the way to complete the full 18K. Um, yeah, that was the point where I went “Ok, what the HECK am I doing?!”
Oh my gosh, that is insane! If I would have puked, I would have stopped! I HATE puking!
LOVE the last photo
I used to get some major stomach issues after long runs…I haven’t had a long run in about a year [over 9 miles]. Mine wasn’t so much nausea but INsane cramping/pain/bloat. UGH. Finally figured out that I had to eat at least 1.5hrs before running and no fibery foods 24hrs before. It helped a bit but still had issues..anyway, CONGRATS on the 20miles!!
Yea, my stomach can go nuts afterwards. It’s funny too, because I always feel bloated and gross after long runs. You would think I should feel “thin” and fit..but no!
such a funny picture! Congrats on 20 miles, that’s awesome!
Thanks! Dave just ran into the bathroom and took it! We lauged so hard at it, it HAD to go on the blog!
Ohmigosh you are awesome for getting in that ice bath!! And great job on the 20 miles! That is incredible, Abby!!
Thanks! Caitlin and I were going to text you to see if you wanted to join us!
That picture is amazing! I hope that you are feeling good today! You are 20 miles, YAYAY!!! You are a rock star!
Thanks, Kate! I crack up everytime I see the picture, too!
Go you! Can’t wait to see you cross that finish line! I’ll be waiting with Clif Bars, Ginger Ale, pizza, whatever you need!
OH my I can’t wait!! Just seeing you will be enough (until I start puking)!!
Congratulations Abby, that is amazing!!
Thanks, Katie!
am so proud of you. and caitlin. you are my running heroes. seriously. as im training for this half (still 170+ days away, thankfully, because I am in NO WAY ready for that 13.1 miles.) I am totally channeling my inner Pittsburgh.
xoxoxo
Aww thanks, Heather! Hopefully we can run together soon!
Hey pretty chica!!
YA YA 20 Miles!!! SO AWESOME! I LOVE the pic you snapped while running…so IRONIC!
…is it weird that I LOVE ice-bathing!??…I think I love them because I feel SO MUCH BETTER after wards that the pain while in the bath doesn’t really sink in (gah I’m weird!)…PIZZA loving is a necessary post 20-mile Re-fuel!
I hope you are having a great start to your week gorgeous girl!
~xoxo!
I can definitely tell that the ice bath really helped! I’m just sore today, but I don’t *hurt* anywhere at all!! I think I can grow to love it!
Congrats!! I tried my first ice bath this weekend (after 18 miles) and it is INSANE to get in but after the numbness sets in, it’s sooo worth it. This was my longest run ever and I was definitely questioning my sanity, again when I was getting into a bathtub full of ice.
Yea.. we runners are an INSANE bunch. Gotta be a runner to understand a runner!
I laughed through most of that post! But in a respectful way, because the only way I’m doing 20 miles is in my car.
Can’t wait to see you this weekend! Yay roomie reunion!
That’s good. I’m here for entertainment not because I have anything worthwhile to say. Oh my. I get to see you in just a few days!!!!!
20 miles – you rock! Are you training for a marathon??? Otherwise, you might just be plain crazy ; )
Yes! I have a marathon in 13 days (eek!)! I don’t know what would possess me to put myself through that torture otherwise!
LOL the picture of you in the tub is awesome haha! Ice baths are the devil, but it feels so nice to have someone rub out the soreness afterward! Congrats on your 20 miler! You will kick butt in your marathon!
Thanks, Jess!
Girl, you are amazing!!! I could barely ice my ankle, let alone ice my legs. Maybe, I will be as brave as you are one day, and actually get my ass in the ice bath! My husband would probably be making fun of me too!
Haha I think I provided him his entertainment for the next year. I was being such a drama queen!
Yay! We both rocked 20 miles this weekend! Awesome job girl!
That picture is priceless, hahaha! You got this marathon, for sure.
LOVE that quote!
I think we also commented on each others’ blogs AT THE SAME TIME. We are soul mates.
So proud of you, Abby! love you.
Thanks, mom! I love you too!
Oooh you crazy girl, I was not hating you at mile 4 – I was hating my stupid cramps!! You were the greatest distraction for me when all I could think was, “I hate running. I hate this. I want to stop NOW!!” Thank you for pushing me harder than I could have ever pushed myself. I really needed it for my own PDR!! We are going to rock it out in two weeks YEEAH!
I’m so glad that we finally got to run together! You defnitely helped my run FLLYYYY by! Too bad we probably won’t be able to run the race together. I’ll miss the company! I’m going to start talking to whoever is closest to me!
Congrats on the 20 miler! I love running long distances even though it hurts. It hurts so good!
So true!! Same with the foam roller afterwards! ow! ow!
great job on the 20 miles! i’ve only done two ice baths in my life…and my body is so hot that the ice doesn’t last more than 3-5 min, no matter how much is in there! madness!
Yea I was shocked at how quickly it melted! It was a cold day, too! I hardly sweat at all–didn’t think I was that hot!
youre absolutely amazing!! CONGRATS on the run girly
Congrats girl! You’re going to totally rock your marathon!
I tried an ice bath the other day and I lasted a whole 3 minutes period. I can’t handle it, lol!
Hope you’re not too sore today!
Awesome job on that 20 miler, yes it does suck at times but is so worth it!
My legs were screaming at the end of the marathon yesterday, but today they feel fabulous…. guess my pre/during/post nutrition & hydration worked well. But at the finish they felt awful, I was about ready to start crying… but it was just temporary pain, they got better in no time!
Ah, I remember my 20 mile run, I sort of came home and collapsed on the living room floor in the fetal position…good times.
That is the most amazing Ice Bath picture ever! Priceless.