The Connection Runners

How to Successfully or Barely Finish a Long Run

Nervous about those huge runs looming in the near future? Does the sound of an 18 miler send shivers down your spine? Have no fear - I'm here to help because helping is fun. Long Run Days can be completed by simply following this step-by-step plan:

(The following plan is for a 14 miler I did on yesterday. Adjust accordingly.)
Mile 0: Stretch slightly, power on Garmin Forerunner, situate iPod Shuffle as needed. GO!

Mile 0-1: Enjoy the sun shining on your face. Glide into a comfortable pace.

Miles 1-6: Blackout for a while. Become more or less oblivious to your surroundings. Pause for some Jet Blackberry GU that's warmed to body temperature.

Miles 7 - 9.95: Blackout some more.

Mile 9.95: Pause for intake of Lemon Sublime GU. Quickly realize you've eaten second packet of GU a tad too soon - queasiness ensues.

Miles 9.95 - 9.95: Fall back into blackout mode, but neglect to restart Garmin. Run at least a good half to three-quarters of a mile before noticing. Slip out a few expletives between breaths. Push "start" on watch and remain lost on exactly how far you've gone.

Miles 9.95/but really probably somewhere near 11 Miles at this point - Mile 14: Start to emerge from blackout. Dig deep for last reserves of energy to finish strong. Run by The Wagon Wheel bar at Mile 13.5 and consider stopping in for a beer and then finishing. Realize that's probably a bad idea. Stride out the last few tenths and meet husband by car. In unison, sigh in relief that the end of Long Run Day is, at least for this week, over.