16 Miles
On Sunday I set a new personal distance record when I ran 16 miles.
It was a long ways. And it was painful.
I set out fine. It was a beautiful day in Kamloops and a very balmy 12 C (53 F). I even busted out my running capris. This kind of weather is unheard of for this time of year so I thought I’d take an advantage of it.
I had 15 miles on my schedule, but a few days earlier I decided I wanted to try for 16, which would be only 10.2 miles out from the marathon.
For the first eight miles I did run/walk on a 19:1 ratio. 19 minutes running, 1 minute walking. It worked well for me!
The first four miles flew by, and I think I might have went out too fast. I actually had to circle back after 2.5 miles and change my shoes. My brand new shoes aren’t quite broken in yet and give me major shin splints. So I wore them for 2.5 miles and then changed into my old ones – which slid on like slippers after wearing the new, stiff ones!
Miles 1-4: 9:32, 9:51, 9:48, 9:35
I slowed down a bit the next four miles. But still felt good.
Miles 4-8: 10:13, 9:42, 10:22, 9:52
After hitting the halfway point, I dropped it back to 9:1 for the next four miles. 9 minutes running, 1 minute walking.
Miles 8-12: 10:26, 10:30, 9:52, 10:22
In the last four miles I tried to stick to 8:30:1:30 ratio, but by the last two miles I was taking frequent walking breaks. It was the last two miles that really got me.
Miles 12-14: 10:19, 10:21
I had ran out of water at mile 11. So I stopped in at A&W at around mile 14.5 and I really wasn’t sure if I could keep going. That’s how much my legs hurt. My calf muscles were especially sore, felt like I had charlie horses in both legs! I filled up my water bottle and trekked on through the pain.
Miles 14-16: 10:45, 10:59
Total time = 2:42:21
So much for negative splits, hey? I really fell apart at the end of the run and I’m not happy about it.
The thing is, this is a distance I’ve never done before. For the last year I’ve been running anywhere from 3-12 miles regularly. So why shouldn’t I be in a lot of pain and have to suffer when I start hitting the higher digits? I made the mistake of thinking this 16 miles would be a breeze because I’d been dominating my long runs lately and I was sadly mistaken.
It was a humbling run, that’s for sure. I was literally in SO MUCH PAIN at the end I almost couldn’t stand it. My left calf muscle was especially tight – like a charlie horse. I have to admit I called my mom in tears it was so painful. After an ice bath and rubbing some cold A535 on it, I felt much better.
I wanted to give up so bad those last 2 miles. But I didn’t, I finished the 16 miles, albeit at a very slow pace, I finished.
This race was humbling because it reminded me what it feels like to hit long and new distances again. It was also a reminder that I can and will finish the full 26.2 miles. It’s 80% mental after all.
What’s the longest distance you’ve ever ran?
And for all those marathoners out there, is it normal to be in that much pain after a long run!?
Edited to add: For fuel I had 1.5 packages of Clif Shot Bloks. I took 2-3 bloks every 2-4 miles and I just drank water. I didn’t really feel hungry at all but I forced myself to eat the shot bloks. Usually I take GU’s but I didn’t have any that day!
Great job on being able to do it!! I know i would have stopped if I were in that much pain.
The longest I have ever run is one mile. One measley mile. Kudos to you on finishing SIXTEEN miles! That is crazy awesome, Amber!
Wow! Way to go! I am impressed and motivated to go running now! I think the longest I have run was like 2 or 3 miles and that was when I was in Track & Field in high school!
My first thought about you being in so much pain was hydration. Your muscles need so much hydration when you are running that long. How hydrated were you before you set out? Also, did you have any carbs that morning or night before?
First of all, congratulations on making it through 16 miles. That’s quite a feat and you should be proud of yourself. Also, I’m a bit jealous that your splits were so good early on… I dont’ run that fast WITHOUT walk breaks
The furthest I’ve ever run is 6.5 miles. I know I can go farther–and was supposed to go 7 this weekend, but it was a big FAIL week for me in terms of running. I’ll probably post about it soon.
I defintely think something is up if you’re in THAT much pain–hydration, electrolytes…something!!
Congrats girl! I love conquering new distances!!! Makes you feel like a total bad@ss… even if you fall apart at the end. I got my butt kicked at the end of every.single.long.run during Chicago, with each new distance, those extra miles would beat the crap out of me. It happens, you’re pushing yourself harder and farther… pain is expected. But remember: Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever! Just keep on going and doing the best you can, in time it will get easier, I promise and by race day you will look back and appreciate all the more, just how far you’ve come!
I can’t even IMAGINE running 16 miles. Wow. Just … WOW. I’ve done 5 and I was in pain
Congrats on the 16!
What were you using for energy along the run? Gatorade? Gu? It sounds like you weren’t getting enough electrolytes if you felt charlie horses. Should you be in that much pain? No. You should feel tired, but not pain.
H =)
Girl 16 miles totally rocks. And I was always in pain of some sort (more extreme soreness than sharp pain) after my long runs. I’d spend the whole day on the sofa with ice.
yea it sounds to me like you need more gels. more electrolytes. I like GU and Endurolytes capsules. for my long runs or bike rides, i’ll take one gu, one bottle of gatorade or heed, and one or two endurolytes per hour of running. looks like your 16 miles was close to 3 hours? that’s my pace.
i will hurt after that distance. but that’s how you grow. i can promise you that the first 16 miles of a 20 mile run will not hurt as bad as this 16 mile run did. and that’s how you get up tomarathon distance.
When you run, where do you put stuff, like water and GU and your keys… As a diabetic, I have to carry around a ton of shit, mostly because I’d rather not have a low blood sugar and collapse on the side of the road. What do you use? I want to start exercising outside in Central Park when the weather gets nice but I’m not sure how to carry stuff around. What do you do?
Hey Allison – I wear a running belt, like this one: http://www.gearzone.com/Salomon-Hydrobelt-45-p/187-23501.htm
I put my fuel and my water in that. Also, in the winter I run with a jacket that has two zippered pockets on the front so my blackberry and keys usually go in my pockets! In the summer, I have some shirts that are meant specifically for running that are lightweight and have zippered pockets in them to put stuff in, or else I’ll tuck my keys into the top of my pants and roll my pants down over top.
I’ve heard GREAT things about the iFitness belt: http://www.ifitnessinc.com/products.htm
I have another belt similar to the iFitness one that I use if I’m not planning on carrying water. And I’m thinking of getting a camelbak this summer.
What does everyone else use to carry stuff when they’re running???
Wow. That’s a really long run! You should be proud of simply STICKING WITH YOUR GOAL and completing it! That is amazing. Keep up your training, and those long runs will get easier!!!!
Good job on 16 miles!!! That is so awesome! Running really is a lot more mental. I hate treadmill running because I am not mentally focused, I am all over the place!
My longest run consisted of just over 6 miles. I am running 7 miles on Saturday and I am nervous. I know I will do it, but I just put tons of pressure on myself and try not to walk at all. I am excited for 7! My goal when I started running was to run 6 miles. Now, my new goal is 13.1!!! Running is addicting and PAINFUL!
That’s awesome! This really motivates me! Longest I’ve ever run is like 3 miles… yeah. But I was never trying to work up to anything so I’m not too sad about that
Great job on the 16 miler! Don’t let the struggle put you down, you finished and you should be proud of that! I think the more you do it the more comfortable the distance will feel and the more confidence you’ll build – because running really is all mental!
I’ve never ever really thought about mileage over 6 miles before this winter so I don’t have much experience with them and the pain that you should or shouldn’t be feeling, but I would imagine there should be some pain.. but like the manageable kind of pain not the okay something is wrong kind of pain. My longest run to date is 10 miles.
Great work, Amber. I always say it’s those mentally tough ones that really get you through the longest miles. And don’t worry, jumping from 12 to 16 is a decent jump so there’s reason to be really feeling it.
After long mileage, I usually just feel exhausted, but not necessarily in a ton of pain. I would guess the pain will ease up if you gradually work from 12 up to 16 by adding another mile each week. My longest run: 26.2!
I suck so bad at running, even though I used to play soccer. I could never imagine running 16 miles! Good for you!
You said you’ve been running 3-12 miles regularly- there’s a BIG difference between 3 and 12 … are you following the 10% rule for adding distance? Because in all honesty, no, you should not be hurting that much IF you are training correctly. As far as negative splits go- it’s a nice thought but that should be a goal once you become more seasoned at long distances. And for Gu and all that, just remember to race as you train- it’s not right for everyone. (I actually had some dude offer me a banana that he pulled from a fanny pack at mile 18 in Portland- I passed, but he ate and chatted my ear off for the next 10 minutes) Anyway, have no worries, Portland is still quite a ways off and you’ll be ready by then if you keep up the positive training attitude- yes, it is mental … you just need the physical stuff to back up the brain
I’ve run a few marathons and around 25 1/2 marathons.
By saying that I’ve been running 3-12 miles regularly I mean that I’ve been running 3-4 times per week, anywhere from 3-12 miles. I do shorter runs during the week 3-7 miles usually and longer ones on the weekend. Yes, I have been gradually working up since January. I started with a long run of 6 miles and bumped it up 1-2 miles each weekend since. Last weekend I did 13 miles so the jump to 16 miles was one of 3 miles!
I’ve trained for three half-marathons before so I know to not bump my mileage up too much! I’m just at the point where running 10-12 miles is pretty easy, even 13 miles wasn’t too bad, but 16 miles was HARD!
i usually use my camelpak — a waist pack only. I hate the backpacks.. it just chafes my shoulders and stuff like that. the waist is just easier for me.
oh and congrats for doing the longest run ever!
Holy Hell Amber. 16 miles is incredible. You should be incredibly proud of yourself even if your times were longer than you liked. Running 16 miles at once is quite a feat. I’m proud of you for not giving up!
Um I ran a 14:38 mile today. I was happy haha.
Nice work.
Good job! 16 miles is great. However, new shoes should not give you shin splints or require breaking in if they fit you properly, so maybe check and make sure they’re ok .
I typically feel like long runs get “long” at around 15-16 miles, so that’s a great indicator that you’ll continue to do well. Just be careful about your mileage and ease into it incrementally. You have a long time until the marathon so long runs of 12-16 between now and official training are more than sufficient.
Great job though. New distance PRs are pretty fun.
I have no idea what the longest distance I have ever ran is … not very far! I am going to start training and learning to run in the spring!!
longest ive ever ran is the milk run at clearview. who am i kidding, i probably milk walked.
Wow, running 16 miles is awesome even if it did result in some pain! I am going to do a run of 8 miles this weekend and that will be the longest run I’ve ever done. I have a long way to go before I’ll be able to do 16.
I’m in the early stages of running… I mean REALLY early, but maybe I’ll get to 16 miles one day… one can only hope! Congrats
Congrats Amber!!! That’s so amazing!!! And you know what, the fact that you were humbled today (as opposed to race day) will probably be for the best. Hopefully next time will be a bit more enjoyable
My longest ever has been 7 miles. I just kept on running one day because I was just feeling so good and it was one of my best and most enjoyable runs ever
Well done, my dear! So proud of you!
The furthest I’ve run is 26.2 miles.
And boy were those painful – but so worth it!
I remember my 18 miler being like you described your 16 miler. Then my 20 miler was awesome. You might have just had an off day. Plus once you get to the 16 mile point of our marathon training, you’ll probably be running more miles so your legs shouldn’t hurt as much as they did this time around?
Hopefully they are feeling better by now!
CONGRATS on 16. that’s freaking awesome. I just ran my first marathon in October and you WILL be able to do it. It’s weird but as the long runs kept increasing, they seemed to get easier week after week – I ran 20 twice with little problems/leg cramps/etc. Eat lots and lots of GU and Sports Beans… yum! GOOD LUCK and keep us updated!
Congrats on making it to sixteen! The furthest I’ve ran is four and a half ha ha. Anyway I think you should be proud of yourself, you will have many more long runs before the marathon to prepare you!
Fantastic job on your run! Sometimes long runs/marathons do feel painful and sometimes they don’t. I know that I’ve ran long runs (18 miles or longer) and felt like I was going to die. I’ve also ran a marathon were I felt amazing even after finishing.
great job girlie! 16 is a long way to go!!! my longest is 26.2!
far but so rewarding! i’m so excited for you to experience it!
Oh my gosh, you’re a rock star. I’ve been running about 2 miles a few times a week and I still have a ton of trouble with it. I have a bad back so I find that I get really locked up and painful some of the time too. How long did it take you to get to this point? Is there hope for me? lol
Way to go girl! It’s so great to hit new mileage and cross that threshold. Be sure to take your long runs easy – it’s all about building endurance right now, not speed on those longer runs. Enjoy this feeling – you have EARNED IT!!!
You finished the 16 miles!! you pushed through, and that’s NO easy feat! My 18-miler was like this – NOT Easy, not fun to push through, I wasn’t happy with it….but! You learned from this, and you take that with you on the next run so you’ll do better
And you’re 110% right – these long distances (especially toward the end of the run), are much more mental than physical. You’ll learn that you Can push yourself to do things you Really don’t want to, and still be alive at the end of it 
AHH! Congrats!! That’s so awesome and you are going to KILL that marathon
I ran 33 miles in November (YES! that is one race report I need to get up ASAP), and have to disagree with you about one thing: it’s not 80% mental, it’s like 99%
You can do it!