Dopey Test Run #2 - DONE!

Love Recovery time!

Well, I did it! Dope Test Run #2 is in the bag.

• Wednesday - 5K
• Thursday - 10K
• Friday - 10 miles
• Saturday - 20 miles

What did I learn? 

Dopey is HARD!!!!

For the most part, I've got the 5K and 10K down, however, don't let that fool you. You've got to put in the distance to make the goal.

Friday's Run Revisited

Let me begin with Friday's run. As I had to run late in the day, it went from a fun 10 mile run to a HOT 10 mile run. I bonked at mile 6.5 and had to push myself to mile 9. Once I recovered, Mile 10 was a breeze. The lesson there is that STRESS + Long Runs = Disastrous Run. I will have to work a bit more on mindful breathing.

Saturday's Run

RIP my first Dopey 20 miler!

Let's just say I'm happy it's over. Coming right off my disastrous 10 mile run, today's run didn't fare much better. This time I woke up 1.5 hours later than planned. Oh boy...another heat run! But it is what it is and off I went.

Along comes a Chatty Runner

Feeling the holiday spirit with a chatty runner

Nothing really special to report for the first 4 miles. Than all of a sudden, this guy ran up next to me and began to talk. Turns out he too woke up late and was dreading the heat. I asked how many miles he had to do and he replied five. When he asked me,  I replied 20.

The Man yelps: "WHY?"
Me: "I'm doing Dopey."
The man:  "Got'a be Dopey to do that many miles so early in the season."
Me: "Well, not really. You see, I've got a very busy schedule the rest of the year. Figure if I get the miles in now, I can continue to maintain the legs with some reduced mileage come the holidays. At least that's what I'm hoping for."
The man: "Good Luck!" 

When the man reached his turn around he said, "I've enjoyed running with you so much I'm going to continue on till my next turn around. That way I get in 8 miles today."

Me: "Nice to be able to run with someone, at least for a little while."

Running into some old friends!

Key Biscayne

Once the man left, it wasn't long before I meet up with some old friends.

"Gabe and Annie, it was great chatting with you at mile 8."

Turns out both of them will be in Orlando in January. Gabe is doing Dopey and Annie is doing the Full. We immediately began to make plans to get together for some crazy recovery activities.

Long and Lonely Road

By now, I'm all alone. Most of the runners have left and the heat isn't too bad; until mile 11. BANG! I bonked again. Got'a love these walls! So I continue to push through with run/walks, eating, drinking, singing to myself "I am the Champion!" This incantation helped till mile 18 when I thought my legs were going to die. So I stopped to gather myself. And wouldn't you know,

My Saving Grace

A refreshing blessing

Someone left these two soap bottles in the Mathewson bathrooms. I was so excited to see them. I immediately washed my hands, face, and arms. And the smell of the peaches and creme heightened my senses.  As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, I felt glorious!

Beauty is found when you open your heart

I realized, for the past two day, I've been running with negative emotions. And that's not good because all it does is create more pain. 

As soon as my focus shifted to pleasure, the world opened up it's great beauty. 

This is what I saw...

Orchids growing wild up high on a tree

Peacocks everywhere!

Breath taking greenery

Beautiful cared lawns

A spectacular Banyan tree

Mother Nature at her best

My favorite park

Moral of the Story: Long Run Fatigue

You can do the distance!

Don't get to emotionally involved with the pain or get upset when you feel it. Detach yourself and simply use it as information. Ask yourself, where is it and why is it happening. If it's not related to an injury then focus on the pleasure's around you. And before you know it, you will have reached your goal!