Friday, June 5, 2009

12 Miles on a treadmill-bad bad bad!

I was forced by circumstances to do my 12 miler today on the deadmill-yeah, you heard me right-12 miles on a mill. I hated every painful minute of it and the only way to get through it was to take a short walking break every 2 miles. I guess it was good training for this winter, since I know some of my long runs will have to be on the mill. I'll do it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it!

RunnerDude posted some interesting comments regarding marathon amnesia-that phenomenom whereby a person runs a marathon, vows "never again", then promptly starts planning the next marathon. They apparently forget the pain soon after the race and only remember the sense of accomplishment and pride from completing the race. I haven't completed a marathon yet, but I can relate. This very thing happens to me every time I finish a tough long run. I'm tired, my legs hurt, and I'm soaked in sweat. I start wondering why I do this to myself-I'm not a masochist, and yet I punish my body on a weekly basis. But by the time I've finished my shower I'm thinking about the next long run-should I extend the distance? Perhaps try a different course? It doesn't take long for me to forget the discomfort.

I don't know if I'll be one of those people who say "never again" after my marathon in December. I'm thinking it will be a one time thing. But who knows-I may be planning my next marathon by the time I get to my hotel room and finish my shower!

7 comments:

WendyBird said...

Kind of reminds me of obstetrical amnesia, when a women declares during pregnancy and delivery that she will never have another baby, and then as soon as the next one is sleeping all night promptly starts dreaming of the next one.
I hope I DO get marathon amnesia because I hate to think I'd give it up after only the first try!

Sarah said...

Wow...12 miles on the treadmill...you go Tanya! I can barely make 4 on the treadmill..it is just so unbelievably boring! :)

Dustie said...

Wow - you rock! 12 miles is tough enough, let alone on the treadmill. Great job!

Dustie said...

and after my last half marathon I said I was taking a break...no more training....run for fun, run for health, that's it...a couple of weeks after that I registered for my first marathon. lol.

robison52 said...

I hear ya! I finished a 12-miler on the treadmill last Wednesday and was bored to tears...I need to start borrowing CD's from the local library as the gym's electronic music has been driving me stir crazy.

The Running Bob said...

Marathon amnesia -- that's pretty funny as during and post-race I spoke of perhaps this was my last one. The next day, I mentally bounced back and began to think of the races throughout the summer then Vegas.

It will be great to read how we all progress towards the marathon! Perhaps, even meeting fellow readers.

Britni said...

I've done this too, every time I finish a half-marathon I say I'm done. Then a week later I'm picking the next date.