This was you!? Great job. Two thoughts I had while reading it. One, I stopped and re read and contemplated how discouraging "the middle fifth" of a 50 mile run sounds. This takes the malaise of not-even-being-halfway-done something to a whole new level. Two, I admire and think I can identify with you when you say the idea of quitting never seriously occurred to you. I feel that way about the program I'm in, where I'm a team leader to a group of ten, 18-24 year old, ungrateful, difficult, smelly, endearing boys and girls from all over the US. One of our instructors, an ultra marathon runner, said to me, Max, it ain't a sprint, but a marathon. Preach. Thanks previouslyO
I think I hit maximum malaise toward the end of a 10-mile race, which I ran at approximately the pace of the winner of the 50-miler. "It ain't a sprint, but a marathon" sounds like sage advice for many situations! Planning, determination, and a good attitude are often more important than raw effort.This was you!?
I share your incredulity. A few years ago doing something like this would have seemed as improbable as moving to Antarctica.the malaise of not-even-being-halfway-done
I've completed two marathons, and will have to do at least one more so I can beat Oprah. Both times I felt considerably worse after 26 miles than I do after the same distance of the 50. This is partly because I now find running on roads a bit dull compared to trails, but largely because of pacing. My faster marathon was at ten-and-a-half minutes per mile, while the 50 was at least five minutes slower per mile.