NYC Marathon Training: 20 Mile Run in Massapequa

This post was first published in September 2016 before my first NYC Marathon. I had to run 20 miles. Find out what happened.

——

NYC Marathon Training: 20 Mile Run in Massapequa

I wanted and needed to run somewhere different. My Facebook friend, Tim Healy suggested I run Massapequa Preserve to Bethpage State Park up to Syosset Train Station. He said it was about 10 miles each way. So, I decided to give it a shot!

Massapequa is on the south shore of Long Island, NY. The preserve is gorgeous. It’s set away from traffic and although, from time to time, you see homes, you feel like you’re running in the country.

First 10 miles

I parked my car by Linden Blvd and went north. The first 10 miles were uneventful. I listened to my music, drank from my Camelback Marathon Hydration Pack, and just felt the warmth and beauty of the park. I was feeling a little unsure of myself, never having been there before, so from time to time, I would ask people if I were going in the right direction. (As a sidebar, there are very limited facilities and water on the course, so if you go, be prepared!)

And then…

At mile 13, I started to hurt. I had 7 miles to go and I already felt pain in my hips, my legs, my feet, my back, you name it, I felt the pain! I took 2 – 3 minutes out and stretched. I actually did this a few more times during those last 7 miles.

At mile 16, I was ready to quit. I was back at my car and saw that Danielle Sullivan, my coach from Iron Fit Endurance, had tagged me on Facebook. She wrote:

I wrote to my coach, I’m not going to be able to do this. Then I wrote back, “can I take a rest?” And then finally (and I can imagine what she was thinking at this point), I wrote back, I am going to get this done!