The Long Run: 16 Miles and Counting

So I made it to 16 miles! I’m not going to lie, it hurt like a motherfucker! I was actually a really good up until I hit about 12 miles, then my body started falling apart. The last two miles were no fun, and I had feared I created a stress fracture in my foot.

It was a warm day for January. I dressed in my running tights a light long sleeve shirt. It was actually a bit much for the day. I wasn’t too hot, but could have easily gotten away with shorts.

It was a good run and I was feeling great. I had continued on the same course along the Bear Creek Trail, which I had been running on in past weeks. Since it was an out an back course I knew I needed to make it 8 miles before I headed back. This took me about a mile further than I’ve run on the trail before. I actually had to cross over to the Platte River Trail for a while to get in the distance. I made it to around about at just over 8 miles a perfect place to turn around.

At that point I was feeling good. I ran by an empty retail building where Jessica and I have talked about opening a spin studio. It was still available so I had texted her to let her know. She asked how far I had run and I told her just got to 11 miles. She said, good job only five more to go. I thought fuck, five is a lot.

About that time my right foot started to hurt. It was a pain on the top of the foot close to the leg. It actually felt like my shoe was tied a little too tight. I stopped at a bench to loosen it up. It didn’t help, the pain was still there. It started getting pretty bad after a while and I thought about stopping. But at this point I only have about 2 miles left, so I kept going.

By the time I got to the 15 mile mark I was in pain. I couldn’t keep my heart rate within MAF, so I started walking. I didn’t want to walk, but I don’t think I really had another choice. Finally I made it the entire 16 miles!

My foot hurt really bad after the run and I was really afraid that I had a stress fracture. I decided to stay off of it for the rest of the day. I also didn’t run for a few days after. Finally the pain went away. I think it may have been extensor tendonitis from my shoe being a little to tight. I probably over did it a bit too. I’ll have to be careful as I increase milage, making sure my body is ready.