A few weeks back we ran our 2nd 20 mile run. Team for Kids ran the 20 through the city streets of NY and over 3 bridges (Brooklyn (not on the marathon route), Pulaski (1/2 way point on the marathon route) and the 59th St (the toughest of the race). I really wanted to run the 20 with the team, but was worried about some sore ligaments on my right knee. One of my coaches pressed me to not run on the roads, but to say on the dirt, so I took her advice.
I reached out to Coach Genna, an elite runner and friend in the local Ethiopian running community. He agree to run my 20 miler with me in Van Cortland Park, in the Bronx. I was so thankful! Because, really, I could not have run 20 miles ALONE. Are you kidding me? I would have dropped out at about 10. It gets a little boring and the accountability is key for me.
So we met in the wee-morning hours and took off through the woods. Van Cortland Park is where there are many cross country races held...it's very wooded and hilly. Let's just say my first 6 miles with Genna felt like a mud run. We were leaping over branches and what I like to call Mud-pits and dodging round apple-like things on the ground and the whole time I was praying not to turn an ankle. We were also going fast. It was like a tempo run for me (where you run 30 secs to a minute faster than normal for speed training). I knew I wouldn't be able to keep pace for 20 miles, but I thought I'd try. Basically, a little crazy for a long run for someone like me.
By the time we reached Yonkers, NY (what?! We're not in New York City anymore???) I was pooping out. I had to walk way more than I ever have before and I felt a little bad about it. But I tried see it as interval training which is a good thing. Genna was encouraging. He said even if I walked 20 miles I'd do way better on marathon day than those who never got in their long runs. In fact, Genna seemed to think I could run in under 4 hours. I was like, "Whoa, Genna...you.are.crazy."
Well, we'll see on Nov. 6th! At this point I'm just praying it's not snowing as we've got snow in our forecast for this weekend (NYC hasn't had Halloween snow since the 1950's!).
By the way, CALL ME! Call me at 352-575-1667 if you'd like to leave me a fun, encouraging message that I'll download and listen to on marathon day when my energy is lagging. I'd really appreciate it! No one runs a marathon alone!
Thank you friends and thank you again Genna. If anyone is looking for an awesome running coach in the NYC area, let me know and I'll put you in touch with Genna! He's the best.
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