Madrid Marathon: 3 week countdown and a loooooooong run

My longest run before the New York Marathon last year was 20 miles. My husband and I trained together for this marathon. We picked a nice coastal route from Oceanside to Del Mar. It was my first time running the distance and needless to say I found it extremely challenging. It took me 4 hours and I could hardly walk afterward. I had a bad case of chaffing too.

For the RnR Madrid Marathon, I knew I would be all alone. My favorite running partner, aka my hubby, decided not to sign up for Madrid Marathon due to logistical issues (kids, school and tae kwon do). He also has a championship coming up on April 22nd, same day as the Madrid Marathon. Wishing him best of luck!

Yep, we don't need ladders around my house :-)

Because of this, I decided to join a running club. I wanted to be able to accomplish what I couldn't during training last year (longer runs, tempo runs and speedwork). It was the best decision in my life. Thanks JT for convincing me to sign up. This club has pushed me to the limits and I love them for it. My coaches are simply amazing.

Last Thursday, I had a decision to make. For my longest run before the marathon, should I run the same course that I did before the NY Marathon (nice, fast & flat but by myself) or should I run with my running club and supplement with extra miles? I emailed my coach for advice. He let me know that the group was doing 14 miles around Penasquitos Canyon. This means hilly trails. He suggested I run with them, then replenish bottles in the car and go out and back for 4 miles, for a total of 22 miles. The idea sounded ridiculous at first. However, it would give me an opportunity to start early at 6:00am and get it done and out of the way. Because my body is getting tired lately with all this running and I didn't trust myself, I went with the group. I needed all the help in the world. Would I do this again? Stay tune ...

These trails were new to me. I liked them better than the ones I ran before around
San Dieguito and Lake Hodges. There were multiple routes. The one my running group chose was wider but rockier. It was a 6.5 mile out and back with a 5-6 ft waterfall half way down. It was beautiful. I felt like I was running in Scotland instead of San Diego.

The first 7 miles were easy relatively easy with lots of hills. We stopped for 5 minutes at the end of the trail to wait for the rest of the group. The way back was harder. It's always harder. At mile 10, my Garmin died. It was 100% charged before I left home but he (yeah, it's a guy) decided to go back to bed or something. No problem. I always run with 2 GPS devices. My Nike+ is my backup. It's just more inconvenient since I keep my iPhone in the pouch.

Big hill in the horizon. "Oh crap, I can't do it", I thought. One of the coaches ran up to me

Coach: "Hey, how are you today?"
Me: "Good. Thanks!"
C: "Are you running Carlsbad 5000 tomorrow?"
Me: "Oh, no I am running 22 miles today"
C: "Really? Are you coming back to the trails after we are done?"
Me: "That was the plan!" Notice past tense. I am about to give up :-0
C: "You lived in Oregon before, right?"
Me: "Yes"
C: "Did you ever visit Nike Headquaters?"
Me: "Yes, I used to run around the campus"
C: "Did you meet Alberto Salazar?"
Me: Big laugh "Noooo, I wish"

The conversation goes on for 5 minutes and before I knew it I had climbed the hill. 1 min silence. I turned around and I notice that my coach was gone. He was at the bottom of the hill, helping the next victim :-)

Coach: "Hey, how are you today?"
Runner X: "Good! Thanks!"

Pretty cool coaches like I said! I finished the 14 miles ahead of this group but waaaay slower than the people training for Boston, of course. Also, we are talking trails here so I am not running at my regular speed, more like 10:00 - 10:30 min/mile. On my way to the car, I am thinking "I can't go back for another 8. I am going to die".

Right in that moment, I see my old friend & former co-worker Edward. This was a totally unexpected reunion, a nice surprise. He is a great runner. He is used to running 70 miles a week. I am not sure what his weekly mileage base is now but I know he runs 20 miles e-v-e-r-y single weekend. "I am saved", I thought. I am happy I was able to convince him to help me with the last 8 miles. He suggested we run the other side of the canyon, I believe it's the east side, a flatter but narrower course. We stopped at the "waterfall", mile 17 for me. I didn't have the chance to see it on the previous run.

After this, we ran for another mile and decided to cross to the other side. There are multiple crossing paths between the two main trails. I miscalculated the distance and ended up doing more hills than expected. I was again at the bottom of that hill I hardly finished at mile 10, the one that the coach helped me with. After that, came another hill and 2 miles of flat course. I ended up running 21.5 miles or 34.6 Km. after all! It was an awesome but loooong 4 hour run. Way better than last year! Longer distance, more challenging route and same finishing time. Oh and no chaffing whatsoever! Now, would I do it again? I would most definitely go back to Penasquitos Trails. However, I think a 14-miles off-the-road run is more than enough!

Today is Monday, I have rested for 2 days and I feel great. I went for a slow short run at lunch time. My legs were happy. Epsom Salts and Advil are my best friends!

Let taper week begin!

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Coming up ...
Next weekend - Hollywood Half Marathon
April 15th - RnR Edinburgh (Scotland) Half Marathon
April 22nd - RnR Madrid (Full) Marathon