“You get to run the last six miles of your next marathon with 6 different people.
They can be dead or alive; famous or not famous. Who are these people and why did you pick them? Furthermore, why did you pick them for the specific mile you did? Remember, you get an extra .2miles with runner #6.”*
This is definitely by far the most interesting question that has been posted in the Runner’s Lounge to date. And thanks to Jillian I have been racking my brain over dreaming about this opportunity. Just imagine how great that would be if you could choose anyone to run with when you are most vulnerable and as disgusting as you can possible get in a marathon. It has been said that most runners hit “The Wall” between miles 18 and 20 so this might not be the best mile where you want Brad Pitt to join your efforts. I am not sure about you but I would want to look my possibly best if ever I had the delightful chance. I am sure Brad has seen his fair share of snot, drool, sweat and tears with his ever expanding brood but come on, smelling like a dead goat probably won’t lead to a good first impression. Which leads me to believe that I would toss all of my fantasies aside and choose some hardened running buddies to help me through miles 20-21, 21-22, and 22-23.
Given the fact that I usually break all the rules that have been bestowed on us runners and actually hit my wall between mile 20 and 23 I would want some buddies of mine, who know a thing or two about getting through the rough spots, to join me in my misery.
At mile 20 I would like to see Ana! I know that I will be banging my knees against that proverbial wall soon enough and need someone who can pick up the pace for me as I try my hardest not to slow down to snail’s pace in anticipation. She is one of the strongest runners I know and has motivated me on countless runs to push myself beyond my comfort zone.
At mile 21 I want Sierra to join me! Sierra is the tiniest and toughest person I know. If she weighs 90 pounds wet I’d be surprised. But get her out on the open road and she will kick your sorry ass (she actually did kick my shins ones on our last training run but I am brushing it off as an unfortunate coincidence). I met Sierra while I was training for my last marathon and we basically ran the entire training season together. She single handedly pushed me to another level, a level where I finally ran negative splits again after a long period of being stuck in a rut. Having her as company from mile 21 and 22 when I am climbing the wall would assure that I could scale it.
Mile 22! By now I should be on the other side of “The Wall” and trying to get back into my pace. Who better to help me do so than my good friend Jeff! Jeff is not only one of the nicest people you ever meet, not to mention good looking (and single! Ladies!!!), but he is an incredible runner who could easily run a sub 3 hour marathon but always chooses to help out his team mates instead. When I was crashing in San Diego due to cramps he was there, right when I needed him most, at mile 22! Since I had lost all peripheral vision at that point all I could do was focus on Jeff’s leg turn over as he ran in front of me for three miles to get me back into my pace.
And at mile 23 I should be all back into a rhythm and ready for the home stretch. So come on out famous people! I even washed away the dried spit at the last water stop. Don’t mind the salt rings on my shirt or the stickiness on my skin. It’s only old, dried Gatorade mixed with hard earned sweat. Since this is the beginning of the home stretch I would want to have a runner with me who can kick it up a notch for me. Who better than this girl:
Because, if I can make good time from mile 24 to 25 I could then hang out with this guy for a while 7 1/2 to 8 minutes and have a little chat about endurance and what I have just been through. And if he is not someone who is inspiring in regards to endurance then I don’t know who is. It also does not hurt that this guy is a total Hottie! Man oh man, one can only dream!
And then the dream could just continue to the ultimate reward, were at mile 25 a man would join my race that has moved millions and motivated more people than ever before to get involved in the political process of this country. Of course it also does not hurt that this man has Kenyan blood flowing through his veins, and even though he specializes in basket ball I just know he can bring it on the running circuit as well. I choose President Barack Obama as the person I would want to finish my marathon with as it would allow me to spend .2 miles more with him than all the others and if anyone is worth that extra time it is him. Who better equipped for the final home stretch than the man whose odds were all against him to become the leader of the free world? A man who has always shown perseverance and an almost uncanny ability to bring his message home in the end. With him by my side my last 1.2 miles can only be a successful home run:
Just look at that stride!!!
* this is the runner's world equivalent to "Five people in a hot tub"... just sayin'
Today’s Running Tip: Running through “The Wall”!
No matter how many pounds of pasta you eat for your pre race dinner, our bodies can only store about 1600 to 1800 calories of energy in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles and at approximately 100 calories per mile. Come mile 20 you are out of reserves! Therefore it is important that you refuel throughout the marathon with carbohydrate rich snacks: sport gels, pretzels, jelly beans, etc. All are good if you have experimented with them during training. Don’t try anything new on race day!
