I think that was IT?

I’m not really sure what IT is, but I’m pretty sure IT just happened.

Saturday morning started out as most do when training… really early. I had planned to get up just after 5am, but my wife’s cell phone was blowing up with emergency text messages from her work. She managed to sleep through it at 4:30 – but I guess I was anxious for the morning and woke up and turned the alert off. I sat in bed staring at the ceiling and decided to actually get up before my alarm formaly went off – an anomaly for me.

And when starting out on the actual run, nothing was unusal… in fact I was breathing pretty heavy, so much so I thought about saying something to the ladies I was running with, as I thought I sounded like some weird stalker in a scary movie.

When mile 3 hit on my watch, I slowed to a walk to grab some nutrition and G2 as planned. The group continued on as usual, and I just figured I would catch up at some point – perhaps when we turned around. After a few minutes of running back at my pace, I started to notice that I was beginning to gain on the three ladies in front of me. I felt pretty good and my body was very relaxed. Both were not expected as I only had 5 hours of sleep, and had worked a long day, well into the night Friday. As I continued to get closer to the group, I looked down at my GPS watch which showed me running about 1 minute to 90 seconds faster that I normally pace at. A little voice popped up in my head as I started to wonder… is this it? Had I achieved the runner’s high?

I mean, I felt pretty good. Perhaps it was the larger than normal breakfast I had? Perhaps it was my favorite under armour shirt? Perhaps it was the shoes? Perhaps it was the few pounds I’ve lost? Perhaps it was the hill repeats earlier in the week? Perhaps I just want to keep writing perhaps? (Perhaps?) I had all kinds of random thoughts dancing around in my head.

After a few more minutes I had not only caught up to the trio, but I was now out in front pushing them. Not intentionally. But I was feeling good. Again, I though to myself… is this the runner’s high? And within seconds I dismissed it as I realized I had been running down a very slight grade for the last 3 miles. I felt silly. It immediately reminded me of the scene from Field of Dreams when Kevin Costner is asked, “Is this Heaven?”, to which he responds… “No it’s Iowa”

“Is this a runners high?” – – – “No, it’s downhill.”

Oh well. A boy can dream.

But as my legs continued to turn over, I realized for the first time in a long time that I was running without a lot of effort. On almost every run this season it had felt that I was dragging my legs and getting minimal lift on my feet. But this was a noticeable difference – and I embraced it. I attempted to hold back on my pace, but I was just feeling IT. My legs were cranking and I was rolling. As I was about to slow my stride again to grab some nurition and G2, the ladies who were just behind me let me know that they were all heading to the bathroom we were passing. They said they would catch up. Little did I know at that time, that I wouldn’t see them again until I was finished. As planned, I took my walk break for a minute and then ramped right back up.

Although I had never run this route before, it was pretty easy to stay on course (along Beach Drive). I was all alone with everyone behind me, expecting the two other pace groups to swallow me up like the peleton in the Tour de France. Watching my watch and keeping an eye out for the 7.5 mile target to turn around and head back, I was sure they would swarm around me like a rookie rider looking for his first stage win. To my surprise I made it to the 7.6 mile mark with no one in sight. I grabbed some liquids and nurition and rested for about 5 minutes at the little outdoor fitness area in the park.

I started back still feeling very strong, but coming to the realization that I may have pushed my pace a little too hard on the front half (heading downhill) and I could possibly “bonk” on my way home. Finally, almost a mile into the backhalf I saw the 2 other pace groups who had merged together not too far before their turn around. I was met with resounding cheers and high fives as we passed eachother on the narrow path. It felt pretty good… and I felt pretty good, so I kept rolling on and started to think about when they would catch me.

Even though I could now notice that I was doing a little climbing on the run, my legs continued to churn. I felt light on my feet and optimistic about finishing the 15 miles strong. As I started to approach mile 10, I wanted to put together a plan. I decided that no matter how good I felt (or bad), I would walk for a minute at each mile interval, and keep drinking to stay hydrated, as well as eat nutrition at every other walk break.

My plan was working. My legs and upper body were still feeling good. Without a doubt, I knew I was going to be sore and tired when the day was done. But I wanted to have a day to remember and reflect on that was positive as I creep closer to marathon day. At this point, I felt as though I would be able to run 20 miles if I needed to. Around mile 11 I noticed that my toes were hurting. Each step brought a little more discomfort. I don’t remember having this type of issue before, but it almost felt as if I could crack each toe like a nuckle it would relieve the pain. I guess my mind wandered onto different “stuff”, because by the time I had completed the run, I no longer had any irritation.

For the next 25 minutes I kept surprising myself by passing groups of runners. I’m not sure where they stood for mileage that day, but knowing that I had approximately a 5K left – I focused on my finish.  On the few occasions that I was getting passed by someone and I could hear them coming up behind me, I was sure it would be the Fleet Feet pack swallowing me up. But each time I was surprised to see no one in sight. In fact the majority of time it was bikers… and I was basically holding my own as a runner.

At mile 14, “victory” was snatched from me, as my buddy Joel had broken away from everyone else on his way back and finally passed me. Not depressed, not frustrated, but dissapointed in the way that he caught me… while I was on one of my planned walk breaks at the mile marker. But now I was determined to finish just behind him. I tried my best to keep him and his neon green shirt in sight… but he is a fast little dude. I did manage to hold on to my “second place” finish, but more importantly it felt like a win that day. Because the first time in a long time… I felt like a real runner. So maybe I had a touch of the runner’s high… but probably not. Either way – it was a great run.

This was by far and away the best running experience I have had since my first half marathon race in 2012. In fact, it may have even eclipsed that race. And to bring it all home, I got called out in our follow up newsletter by our coach. I have to admit… it feels good to be recognized on what was a great day.