The Staten Island 20

Yesterday was my last day to get in a long run before the official taper started. I was a bit conflicted, since I was planning to run the Staten Island Half Marathon, but I really needed a 20 miler, not a 13.1. According to the rules of marathon tapering, yesterday was my last chance to do a 20 miler. After that, there should be no more long runs until the big day.

In January, I ran the Manhattan Half, the first of the Gran Prix series. This series is made up of one half marathon in each of the 5 boroughs of New York. I ran this race, my first half marathon, with my friend PL, and we had such a great time that we agreed to try to run all 5 races. Staten Island was the fifth and final race in the series. I had promised PL to help him hit his goal of breaking the 8 min/mile pace, and I looked forward to running the whole race with him.

The Flyers had a 20 mile training run in Croton on Saturday which would have been ideal for my marathon training. But if I did that run, there is no way I could do the half the next day. My solution was to do the Staten Island Half, and then tack on an extra 7 miles to make my 20.

We took the Staten Island Ferry over to the race, which was a blast. The boat was full of runners. Walking from the Ferry terminal to the start (just a few hundred yards), we passed a nice 9/11 memorial, and took in the beautiful view of Manhattan.

The race went well, although there was a bad moment at the 10 mile mark, when I realized that I wasn't 3.1 miles from the end, but rather just half way through my planned 20 miles.

I kept our planned pace of 8 min/mile, and came into the finish feeling pretty strong. As we approached the end of the race, other runners were kicking, but I was holding steady, knowing that I had 7 more miles to go. Flyer JW passed me near the end and yelled out "come on John!", and it was hard not to rise to the challenge.

After the finish, I got my chip clipped, and grabbed a gatorade, and headed back on to the course. The race course was an "out and back" and my plan was to just go out 3.5 miles and turn around again. I felt bad passing runners going the other way -- I hate to see runners, who have already finished, jogging backwards along the course as I kill myself to finish -- but I was not alone. A number of runners were doing exactly what I was doing.

Unfortunately, almost immediately after heading back out, I got very, very tired. I was dragging ass, and I couldn't maintain the 8 min/mile pace any longer. I was determined to do the 20 however, so I pressed on. The taper was ahead of me, so this was the time to push it to the limit. I completed the 20, but I was beat. I was the end of a 50 mile week - a first for me.

I was sore well before the run was over. I got home and took an ice bath and recovery came quickly. That is one of the best signs that I am in better and better shape -- I am recovering from tough runs much easier than before.

Quick recovery aside, I am ready to dial it back. Let the taper begin!