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Can I walk a marathon in 12 hours?
Mar. 1st, 2016 11:01 amThis coming Saturday is the 10th annual Delano Park 12 Hour Run, and it will be my 8th year participating in the event. However, it's been a couple of years now since I was any sort of real runner (numerous setbacks for all kinds of reasons), and so I will be coming into the event basically untrained and as a walker. During the past six weeks, I've done a 4 mile race and a 10k, and maybe a couple walks per week of a couple miles. Sure, it's something but not what you'd consider long distance training. I also currently weigh over 200 lbs; just saying. But I want to be there to see just what I can push my mind and body to do, and there is no reason for me not to.
One of the best things about timed events is that the goal is simply to accumulate as many miles possible in the time given. For instance Delano is 12 hours on a one mile loop course. If you do a single mile; you're an official finisher. Depending on your goals and race strategies, you don't have to compete against anyone but yourself. No undue pressure for exact distances or cut off times. Being a loop course, there are runners of all different gaits and speeds continuously circling the track. One never feels being slow or even DFL (Dead F**King Last) in the same agonizing way a point-to-point race can wear you down when you end up being the lone stangler brining up the rear all by your lonesome for miles. (Even if one may find oneself counting the times you get lapped by the top speedsters) The comraderie of the loop race, especially at Delano, is a good boost; everyone is congenial and supportive, even from the eltite runners who are out there to outright win.
I proudly hold the distinction of being the second place female with the most Accumulative Miles in the event, due to the fact of my 7 year streak. And I should be able to hold on to that place (by the skin of my teeth) for yet another year. Lol..maybe next year, I'll make a laurel wreath or a tiara to hand off to my sucessor. Sure, it's just a numbers game, but I do get a kick out of it---it's the only event I can say that I'm placed second behind the likes of elite runner Liz Bauer. Here's the current leader board for Female Accumulative Miles , listing total miles and number of years as participant.
1)Liz Bauer: 392 (5)
2)Heather Whiteside: 308 (7)
3)Heather Coon: 250 (5)
4)Tammie Massie: 244 (4)
See, perseverance pays off!
I have heard (well, read online mostly) trolls deriding slower runners and walkers by saying, for instance in doing a marathon distance of 26.2 miles in 12 hours, "ANYONE could do that; all you have to do is walk a measley 2.18 miles per hour." But, let me tell you, the last 27 minute mile feels nothing like the first.... NOT evenyone can persist and keep walking and walking. I don't believe everyone, just pick a random couch potato off the couch, will have an easy time or be capable of doing so. This year, I'm going to pay close attention to the experience of doing an untrained long walk. We'll see what's what. Hopefully, it will spur me to get back into actual consistent training. What I have going for me are my years of experience as an ultra runner, and the mindset that comes with this experience. What I don't have at the moment is the physical training level, so we'll see how far prior experience and mental positivity can get me.
A marathon is a nice milestone distance to aim for as my personal goal this year, I'll be more than happy if I get there.
Also, adding to the fun is that I entered my four year old grandson Desmond (for his second year at Delano) and he'll be out there walking a few miles with me. (Actually, I'll bet he runs me into the dirt for a couple laps). In his first race, he totaled 2 miles and his big impetus for finishing a lap was the "gator juice" (Gatorade) and snacks at the aid station!
I've decided to embrace what I am---part of Team Turtle. I even bought myself a "TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle" tshirt to wear during the race. I chose the one for the character "Donatello", but his "D" stands for Delano to me! I also found this pic of a girl TMNT online at the DeviantArt site. I like how she's all full and curvy, and if you replace the nunchakus with waterbottles, she could be a distance turtle! :)
Yes, realistically, I'm looking at my lowest mileage ever in this event, but you know what? I'm excited about getting out there to do it. This Token Fat Girl on Team Turtle is looking forward to a long day of walking in circles. :) Turtle Power!
One of the best things about timed events is that the goal is simply to accumulate as many miles possible in the time given. For instance Delano is 12 hours on a one mile loop course. If you do a single mile; you're an official finisher. Depending on your goals and race strategies, you don't have to compete against anyone but yourself. No undue pressure for exact distances or cut off times. Being a loop course, there are runners of all different gaits and speeds continuously circling the track. One never feels being slow or even DFL (Dead F**King Last) in the same agonizing way a point-to-point race can wear you down when you end up being the lone stangler brining up the rear all by your lonesome for miles. (Even if one may find oneself counting the times you get lapped by the top speedsters) The comraderie of the loop race, especially at Delano, is a good boost; everyone is congenial and supportive, even from the eltite runners who are out there to outright win.
I proudly hold the distinction of being the second place female with the most Accumulative Miles in the event, due to the fact of my 7 year streak. And I should be able to hold on to that place (by the skin of my teeth) for yet another year. Lol..maybe next year, I'll make a laurel wreath or a tiara to hand off to my sucessor. Sure, it's just a numbers game, but I do get a kick out of it---it's the only event I can say that I'm placed second behind the likes of elite runner Liz Bauer. Here's the current leader board for Female Accumulative Miles , listing total miles and number of years as participant.
1)Liz Bauer: 392 (5)
2)Heather Whiteside: 308 (7)
3)Heather Coon: 250 (5)
4)Tammie Massie: 244 (4)
See, perseverance pays off!
I have heard (well, read online mostly) trolls deriding slower runners and walkers by saying, for instance in doing a marathon distance of 26.2 miles in 12 hours, "ANYONE could do that; all you have to do is walk a measley 2.18 miles per hour." But, let me tell you, the last 27 minute mile feels nothing like the first.... NOT evenyone can persist and keep walking and walking. I don't believe everyone, just pick a random couch potato off the couch, will have an easy time or be capable of doing so. This year, I'm going to pay close attention to the experience of doing an untrained long walk. We'll see what's what. Hopefully, it will spur me to get back into actual consistent training. What I have going for me are my years of experience as an ultra runner, and the mindset that comes with this experience. What I don't have at the moment is the physical training level, so we'll see how far prior experience and mental positivity can get me.
A marathon is a nice milestone distance to aim for as my personal goal this year, I'll be more than happy if I get there.
Also, adding to the fun is that I entered my four year old grandson Desmond (for his second year at Delano) and he'll be out there walking a few miles with me. (Actually, I'll bet he runs me into the dirt for a couple laps). In his first race, he totaled 2 miles and his big impetus for finishing a lap was the "gator juice" (Gatorade) and snacks at the aid station!
I've decided to embrace what I am---part of Team Turtle. I even bought myself a "TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle" tshirt to wear during the race. I chose the one for the character "Donatello", but his "D" stands for Delano to me! I also found this pic of a girl TMNT online at the DeviantArt site. I like how she's all full and curvy, and if you replace the nunchakus with waterbottles, she could be a distance turtle! :)
Yes, realistically, I'm looking at my lowest mileage ever in this event, but you know what? I'm excited about getting out there to do it. This Token Fat Girl on Team Turtle is looking forward to a long day of walking in circles. :) Turtle Power!
