Friday, January 14, 2011

Lived to tell the tale

I made it. 18 miles on foot to work, the majority of which in a straight line.



There were some challenges: water completely froze in my Nathan Intensity Hydration Pack straw after about 5K, roads/sidewalks more messy than anticipated, sidewalk completely disappeared at one point when traffic coming toward me was heavy.

But I made it in one piece, felt pretty decent and have a good story to tell. :-)

I really enjoy point-to-point runs and didn't find it mentally tough at all to run along one road the entire time. I enjoyed picking out the landmarks that I always see on my commute to work. Interestingly, "almost there" by car doesn't quite feel the same on foot.

It's a pretty awesome feeling to know that I just replaced a frustrating 40-minute commute with a pretty awesome run. But I have to say, I have probably never been so happy to arrive at the office.

Walking in the door wearing full running gear complete with safety vest and blinky lights, responding to questioning looks from co-workers by explaining that I just ran here: priceless.

One thing I neglected to consider - now I have to work for 9 hours. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

ONE SLEEP TO ANTIGUA!


29.1 KM (18.1mi) - 2:44:16 - 5:38/KM (9:05/mi)

55 comments:

Laura said...

Yeah! Glad to hear it went well and you are safe.
..and crazy but that's a given. Nap under your desk...you might need it.

Hunnybee said...

Now that is dedication to the run! Have a great trip!

Running Ricig said...

that is AWESOME! Way to go. I can't imagine what people were thinking when you came in. Fantastic.

M said...

As I type this, I am standing and applauding you. Congrats - that is awesome. Way to kick off a break!

Emz said...

that
is
so
freaking
awesome.

Way to go woman!!

Meg said...

Whoot! I love point to point runs. Good on you. Now LIVE IT UP on vacation!

Kerrie said...

That. Is. Awwwwwwwessssoommmmme!

Anonymous said...

u. r. crazy!

abbi said...

That's awesome - I would so want a nap in the middle of the day though! Have a great vacation.

Marci said...

That is awesome!! I am so impressed. I ran 5K this am, but running 30K in Jan, AMAZING. Enjoy your vacation!

Marci said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Heather said...

Nice job!

Unknown said...

That's incredible. Well done!

Anonymous said...

Ha omg I love your attitude! 18 miles BEFORE a full work day?! A-mazing. Did you bring clothes to change into? Heh, it's worth asking, who knows....

xo Congrats, lady! Friday Victory to be proud of :)

Teamarcia said...

I don't have words! for sure hardcore is your middle name. Now go thaw out in Antigua and enjoy!

Kim (Book Worm Runs) said...

OMG!! That is awesome! :) Have a great vacation!!

Emily said...

SO impressed! Way to be creative with getting your long run in. I love running to and from work but its a measly 4 miles, not 18! Have a blasttttt on your trip!

TNTcoach Ken said...

Run Forrest run! I'm going to count the number of times that I comment on your blog with, 'you are crazy'!

Nitmos said...

You just totally showed up your co-workers! Now you'll be known as that 'runner who thinks she's better than us'! ;)

J said...

Glad you got there safe and sound! I can imagine the looks from your co-workers! Have fun in Antigua!

No Longer Using said...

legen...wait for it... dary!!!!

FIST PUMP!!!

Still Running said...

OK if you go for a lunchtime run today too, I'm just going kill myself for being so lazy. Way to go! Have a great trip.

Runners Fuel said...

Since you ran to work, you should nap on your lunch! Glad you made it safely.

Bethany + Ryan said...

FUN! I run to my work's annual picnic every year, its 20 miles but its int he summer time and i dont have to leave my house until like 8am. wow, you're nuts. bottles are only good for 1 sip in the freezing-cold weather, as soon as you get water in the sucky part (not sure what to call it) it's all done then you have to unscrew to drink. so annoying. you should invent something for your fellow ice cold weather runners! have a BLAST on vacation! congrats on a successful run!!!! glad you made it there safely!! :-)

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

So wish I was giving High Fives today because this is AMAZING! So proud of you and your dedication. You must have had to get up super early and BRRRRR.. You are earning that vacation 100 fold. HUGS!

Tea time!!

macnic said...

AMAZING! Enjoy the rest of your day including a large lunch! You earned it!

Julie D. said...

WAY TO GO!!! what an accomplishment before your day even started. Would have loved to see video of your co-workers confusion! :) HAVE FUN IN ANTIGUA!!!

Andrew Opala said...

Did you walk back?

Shannon said...

um, holy crap! way to go girl!

Jason said...

You
Rock

As Lindsay would say that is a great runmute....way to go.

You are now Marlene The Green Runner....yeah!

funderson said...

awesome! I tuck my potentially frozen straw in my shirt and it seems to keep the ice at bay.

Aysha said...

You are a machine! Enjoy your vacay :)

Anonymous said...

That is just plain cool. Wow.

Heidi said...

Awesome, and great time!!!

Karen (Toronto Girl West) said...

You're a machine Marlene!!!! Crazy impressive!!!!

And on another note - enjoy your trip!!! :o)

Take lots of pictures that make me ooooh and ahhhh!!! lol


Toronto Girl West
http://torontogirlwest.com

Nicole @ Haute Runner said...

Glad you made it in one piece!!

RunToTheFinish said...

i agree, i love point to point runs!! have fun in antigua!!!!

Jim ... 50after40 said...

WOW - that's amazing, and work too! Great job!

Aron said...

LOL that is what I almost warned you about yesterday, sitting through work after = not an easy task! have a FANTASTIC vacation!!

Nicole said...

Woot woot! Nice job on running to work! Mad props your way! Have an amazing vacation!!!! :)

Jamie said...

You are amazing! Point to point runs are fun but I can't imagine having to work after that.

Have a wonderful, fabulous, fantastic vacation!!!

Indi said...

Wow..awesome way to start the morning!! of course minus the wanting to nap part :) have an awesome time and soak up sunny beaches!

Anonymous said...

What a way to kick off a Friday! Awesome run! I wish I was a bit closer to work, so I could run commute instead of being stuck in the car for 2 hours everyday!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

you seriously are all kinds of my HERO. i seriously can't imagine doing a long run before a workday. what time did you have to get up? sheesh. i want to give you a medal. or a gold star. or SOMETHING. truly amazing woman!

ajh said...

That is so awesome! How did you get home? I love things like that. I ran once to work and back and have biked but both ways are not even half of what you did. You are really something!

EndorphinBuzz said...

I remember that feeling of shock when people realize that I just ran 25km while they were idling in traffic. Totally priceless. Plus there was a good feeling of accomplishment before the day even got really started! Good work!

(I have tips for winter hydration, the best is a camel pack between layer 2 and 3 if you can manage that :)

Unknown said...

Antigua??!! How fun! You always take the most interesting vacations like Cuba and now your new destination.
Enjoy!!

Lindsay said...

lol. yeah i don't think the coworkers will ever get it. i love runmuting! 18 miles of runmuting is awesome :) hope you were able to stay awake... have a great trip!

Eunice K. said...

that is so awesome - way to go - especially in the cold and in the morning BEFORE work. I would have been knocked out at my desk halfway through the day!

sef

MCM Mama said...

Crazy girl! Glad you made it safely!

Richelle said...

Wow! I'm so impressed. And I thought running a mile to the post office last year was hardcore... :)

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

Crazy!

teacherwoman said...

That's awesome, girl! You rock!

Anonymous said...

You are a freaking rockstar! That is so awesome that you ran to work then worked a full work day! You are my hero! :)

Runner Leana said...

Wow, congrats on 18 miles before work! That is one mega long run before having to work. Nicely done!