I Just Felt Like Running p.4

Overall it was about a year of training from 0 to 26.2.  November of 2008 was marathon month.  I tapered my mileage, carbo-loaded a 2 days before race, and started hydrating a week before it.  I began the race along with the other 3 coworkers that were training.  We decided to start with run-a-mile, walk 30 seconds approach.  That technique was pretty successful until around 18 miles through Umstead.  Steve, who had been with me the entire way, fell behind with a little longer walk break.  I felt if I walked longer, I wouldn’t continue easy.  I pulled ahead, refilled my CamelBak, and made it through Umstead.  Emerging from the gravel trail of Umstead, I turned to the pavement where the sun kissed my face into an uphill section with no shade-22 miles or so.  Alas, the uphill was over and my body was really feeling it at this point.  Still though, keep a smile. 

Though I was fully energized, my muscles were pissed off.  My calves begin a mutiny and wanted to overthrow the brain.  My brain wanted to push forward but my calves did not.  First my right calf locked up.  If you have experienced this before, you can relate to what this means.  My calf was fully flexed and stuck like that.  I pulled off, massaged it a bit, and tried to force my foot up to release the muscle.  I created a little bit of relief but not much.  I took this opportunity to wait for Steve to catch up.  I gave it a rest while Steve caught up.  We ran together for a bit until my left calf locked up, and he passed me.  We’re around 24 miles at this point.  I know that if I stick to the run-a-mile-walk-30 deal I’ll never catch up.  I kick into overdrive doing the “marathon shuffle”.  I tried not to use my calves and instead pushed more off of my quads.  Running much faster than I had been in the last 5 miles, I caught up with Steve.  We continued side-by-side for 2 more miles.  The last .2 seemed longer than the whole race.  As we approached the last stretch we look at each other and Steve says, “together?”. “Yes” I said; “same time”.  I crossed the finish line at 4:11:57 and Steve with 4:11:58.  Margin-of-error I say.

Running has become a part of my life; an obsession.  I think about running quite often, “where will I go next?  Where is that person running to?  Do I have time for a run?”.   I would consider myself a runner.  A lot of people run as a form of exercise.  I think there is a difference though.  So what makes a runner?  It’s easy.  When you’re running down the road and you feel the rhythm in your stride.  Your heart is beating and your feet are hitting the ground and nothing matters anymore except you and the road.  The wind is on your face and the fresh air in your lungs.  Your legs hurt, it’s hot, you smell awful, and you love it.  You’re not running for weight loss.  You’re not running to get your 30 min of cardio in.  You’re running because you need it.  You run because it’s part of you and no one else can take it away.  Some call it an addiction – I call it a passion.

-Aaron