Training for Randall's First Marathon

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."– Helen Keller

Well on Saturday, July 28, Randall, Diane and I did our long trail run of about 22 miles. We started our journey early in the morning and had an aid station at the firehouse in Cool. Thank you Randall and Diane for providing that aid station. During the run, Randall told me that Diane planed to join him on his first marathon in October. She recently decided to do it and that will be her first as well. Going from my house to Cool went well as the morning temperature was still reasonable. However, the return trip was a different story. I left the aid station at a walk since they were not ready to leave just yet. Randall advised me to go ahead and they would catch me.

While walking, I finished my sandwich that Randall had made lovingly. Then I just started running. Heading towards Highway 49, I looked behind but did not see either one of them. I did the same while running down the Quarry Trail. Still, there was no sight of them. I thought they would have caught me by now, but they didn’t. Then I reached the river trail or the Western States-Tevis trail on my way towards Brown’s Bar. After reaching Brown’s Bar, I wondered where they were. Did something happen to them was one thought that I had. Meanwhile, the temperature rose significantly. I knew that hydration could be an issue. I also knew that the longer and further that I ran the more unlikely they would catch me. I passed runners coming in the opposite direction as well as a male rider that I knew. I was getting more thirstier and tired as time went on. I eventually reached the 16 mile marker on the Western States Trail and began the ¾ mile walk to my home. By this time, I was exhausted from the heat. Not having ample water was also a contributing factor.  I was looking forward to having my smoothie when I reached home.

Roughly, 15 or so minutes later I saw Randall and Diane coming down the street towards my home. Randall couldn’t believe that I was home and waiting for them.  He even asked if I took a shorter trail.  

I hydrated a lot at home and an hour in a half later began to feel normal again. Of course a short nap worked wonders. Sunday, Linda, Nails Digger and I hit the trail again. I felt rested and ran well today. I was pleased with my recovery. As I told Randall, “I think of every run as a conditioning run, bar none.”