Lindsey Mastis

I haven’t been keeping up with my short runs during the week. I was supposed to run 4 miles, 6miles, 4 miles before my 14 miler. But I only ran 3 miles one day and went to two circuit training classes. Although I was a bit nervous about the run, I quit thinking about it and just got out there.

Patrick and I met up with our friend Emily Stone to run the Capital Crescent Trail. She’s training for the Marine Corps Marathon in five weeks. Today, she did a half (13.1 miles).

Emily and Patrick run 12 minute miles, and I run 10 minute miles. Knowing they were behind me kept me going. My music helped as well. The first three miles were horrible. I wanted to quit and questioned singing up for a full marathon.

About four miles into the run, I found my pace. Temperatures started out in the lower 60s, and I just enjoyed the light breeze and beautiful scenery. I even saw parts of the trail I hadn’t traveled before. My favorite part was running next to the Potomac. It was a breathtaking scene and I could see people in canoes and cars making their way through Virginia. I saw a group of vultures sitting on a tree limb. I thought, “keep running or they’ll get you!” Obviously, my mind was getting intense.

As I rounded a curve I saw a bridge and I immediately recognized where I was. Georgetown! Water Street! The trail was gone. I ran on the road. All of a sudden I stepped in a pot hole and rolled onto my ankle. It hurt, but I kept going. I never saw the next mile marker, but looked at my watch and turned around where I thought I should.

I felt relief as I headed back. Soon I saw Patrick and Emily. We high-fived and nearly got creamed by three bikers. I took a GU and continued to run, all the while thinking about how easy this seemed. What a contrast to the start of the run!

As  I approached Fletcher’s Cove I missed the trail. Again, my right foot rolled onto the ankle and I let out a loud scream. A runner in front of me immediately slowed and looked back to see if I needed help. I kept jogging to see how bad it was. I held up my hand and told her I was fine. I paused for a few moments to regain my footing. Although it hurt, I knew I’d be able to finish my run.

I started sucking on GU Chomps during the last four miles of the run. They tasted great– just like gummy bears and kept my mouth from drying out. But my legs were beginning to stiffen. I saw the bridge that goes over River Road and attacked it. I got up and down without a problem, but then I was out of breath. I kept going.

With less than a half mile left, I was struggling. I was talking to myself out loud: you can do it! Keep going! Almost there. But I was losing momentum. Then a man came out of no where and asked me if I was running to the Bethesda water fountain. I said yes, and he proceeded to give me words of encouragement: Less than a quarter mile– you’re almost there! We talked for a bit and I learned he was running 24 miles. I realized then I couldn’t complain about my measly 14. I found energy I didn’t know I had. I was keeping up with his pace, which to me– is sprinting. I couldn’t believe how easy it felt to finish knowing I had energy left.

I thanked him over and over again. He said coaching me helped him because he was struggling as well. I love how runners help each other. When Patrick and Emily finished, we all got bagels.

I am proud of this training run. I never truly took a walking break. I took walking pauses to quickly stretch my foot or down a GU and water. I ran the race in two hours and 25 minutes– that’s a 10-minute and 23-second pace. Not ideal, but perfect for a training run. I recovered fast and even saw the movie “The Informant!” with Patrick in the afternoon. This week’s goal: keeping up with my short runs. That is the only way I can build enough muscle to finish a long run with energy.

And next week I have added pressure. I have to run 15 miles before work. Because of today’s run, it’ll be no problem!

SUMMARY
LOCATION: Capital Crescent Trail
TIME: 2:25
PACE: 10:23
WHAT I’LL REMEMBER MOST: Vultures.