6 Steps to 17 Miles

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you!

-Fred Devito

All too often, people underestimate what their body can accomplish. 7 years ago if you told me I was going to regularly wake up on Fridays (the days I always do my long runs) and run 17 miles, I would call you INSANE! I ran 5 miles at 12 min a mile in an hour, and I struggled with that. I was shocked when I finally upped my pace to 7 miles in an hour. When someone invited me to run my first 10-mile race, I was shocked…someone actually thought I could do that? Well I could, I felt like death, but I did it, and I LOVED it! Then I just signed up for my first half marathon blindly. It was cold, but I won first place in my age group, and I was hooked!

         So when I heard that for marathon training I would be running 17 miles every other week on my own. For fun. Without the motivation of a race. And the best part is that was the shortest of any other long run. I almost ran away from the idea of training! Let me tell you this, my first 17 miles was an adventure. My hips, knees, head, stomach, and soul hurt by mile 14, but I NEVER STOPPED! But there was too much I realized on my first 17 mile run, by myself, that I wish someone would have told me prior to running.

Below are my tips I wish I KNEW before waking up and running 17 miles:

1. Stay hydrated the day BEFORE, not that morning of: It sounds silly, but you’ll wake up not only feeling more refreshed, but not so run down during the run itself. I also find that my mind is a lot more at ease running being hydrated than worrying about water (Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs right there is correct)
2. Bathroom breaks are inevitable: This is a subtle problem, that could turn into a big one! The more you run, the more you realize there are certain miles that it becomes routine that you need to go. Make sure you plan your run around gas stations or other places that have public restrooms.
3. Carry some source of money: I can’t say this has been a huge issue and I do not carry money often, but the ONE time I did I needed it the last few miles with no water around. It is also useful if you need the restroom and need to buy something to use the restroom.
4. Put the big hills first: If this one sounds obvious, it’s because it is. You don’t want to be running a hill at mile 15 because your legs will be DEAD on your first run!
5. A little bit of caffeine before won’t hurt: Some people are caffeine addicts! I never drink caffeine unless it’s to go running. On days that I go for longer runs, I drink some cold Carmel toffee ice coffee. It wakes me up and gets my brain and body going since long runs usually call for the alarm to go off at 4:15 a.m.
6. Advil is your friend: I never take Advil on regular run days. I honestly don’t like taking Advil for anything but my long runs. Long runs are the exception because mile upon mile takes a toll on your body and it helps a bit to make it less brutal, especially on your first few long runs!