1341 GMT - Today was a disaster. My worst fear came true...about halfway through my run, I needed a toilet and there were none to be found! I had to go in the worst way...and I'm not talking about number 1! It was horrible...so bad I had to stop and walk. I thought the feeling would pass...but it didn't. Best I could do was keep walking and hope I could make it back home, but that was more than 3 miles away and would take probably more than an hour! So I kept walking...but I didn't make it. I found a secluded spot (sort of) and went int he bushes. Think what you want, but when you gotta you gotta go! The alternative would have been much worse! As it was it almost happened once or twice. Certainly someone out there can relate. Anyway, once I did that I felt a little better, at least the immediate urge to go subsided, and I finished my run.
One thing I have noticed about Britain..there are very few public toilets. At least around here. There were 2 or 3 along my route I could have perhaps used, but it was so early, they weren't open! One disadvantage to running early in the AM I suppose. I only know of one that is open early in the morning; it's at the Bristol Parkway train station. I have used it a few times! Today I wanted to try a new route, so I didn't run my usual one that goes by parkway...and I wished I had. Perhaps I need to find some more "toilet friendly" routes! Maybe on my long runs I will at least carry some TP with me!
So the other day I made a comment about not ever having a bad workout. Today I did! When I was actually running I was doing pretty good...3:35 - 3:40 marathon time at the pace I was making. The overall experience though was quite unpleasant. my rhythm was off and I was psychologically scarred! Once the ordeal was finally over I didn't care much about training, my heart rate, of what pace I was running. I just wanted to get home. I must say though that I completed the prescribed 13 miles. It was important to me that I did. I'm nothing if not stubborn and persistent!
I debated whether or not to write about my ordeal today. I decided (obviously) to do so, because what's the fun in following a blog if you only read about the good stuff? Everybody knows life gets in the way of things and that's what makes following blogs interesting. Also, if someone was telling me this story, I would be laughing. It certainly wasn't funny at the time, (but probably would have been to the casual observer!) and it's not really funny now, but as time goes by, I will lighten up and perhaps laugh at it.
In my mind, today was a waste and doesn't really count as a training session. I wonder if I should repeat it next week and bump everything back a week, or just move on. I'm inclined to just move on, but I'll see what Paul says.
For those of you who get this by email, you should check out the blog at plbennett70.blogspot.com. I added some nifty widgets. We stopped by Krispy Kreme today so I felt compelled to add the donut widget.
Tomorrow is a rest day (a very welcome rest day). I hope you found some humor in my misery today. It is funny.
Edinburgh Marathon Training Session 41
About Me
- plbennett70
- Training for the Chester Marathon on 09 October 2011. Going for a BQ!
Oh Patrick! As your Mom I just want to put my arms around you and give a big and say everything will be ok.
ReplyDeletePatrick - not sure if you are getting these comments.
ReplyDelete"Every run is a great run!" - Sasha Azevedo
A day of running is better than a day without it.
OK - I have to admit that I was laughing by butt off while reading the first part of this. Not because of your pain, but of the many times (can't remember how many) that this has happened to me.
Luckily for me, I'm usually running in secluded locations when it happens. Good thing it hasn't happened in DC yet. If so, I'd probably get arrested.
ALL of my long runs are run with my camelbak and a stash of TP in the pocket.
I drive my wife crazy when I get home and she has made something for dinner that I know will not be good for the Saturday morning long run. On these nights, I find something to eat myself.
I have learned that I have to be very careful what I eat the night before a run of 10+ miles. Anything shorter than this usually doesn't bother me, except for those extra special dinners that I'm aware of.
If you're starting to ramp up to longer long runs and run at M pace, you probably should pay special attention to what you eat. Like most books will state, you need to experiment with different foods on your long runs (during and the day before).
Because of all of my problems, I overly restrict what/how much I eat leading up to the Marathons that I have run. I believe that this has caused me to have limited finishing energy. So you need to balance the need for fuel and the potential side effects. That is why you need to experiment, especially on your long runs.
Probably getting the the TMI point, but we are talking about running, so I'll let it slide. I always drink coffee first thing in the morning, even on run days. Coffee gets things moving along so that you have less baggage to start the run. Don't believe the dehydtated myth - never affects me.
Learn from it and move on. Either I'm smarted now or my body is adjusting. I haven't had a near blow out in some time.
Keep up the good running. Knees are still a little achy, but I did get 10 miles in today.
Run Long,
Bill