Previous long runs for Marathon Training:
- One Way Ticket to Double Digitland (10.0 miles)
- Eleven with the Ladies (11.0 miles)
- A Hellish Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Fabulous Fourteen (14.0 miles)
- Sweaty Sixteen (16.0 miles)
- Screamin’ Seventeen (17.0 miles)
- Energizing Eighteen (18.0 miles)
- Easier Eighteen (18.0 miles)
- Terrific Twenty (20.0 miles)
I LOOOOVE to prove myself wrong! 
I set out this morning with one goal in mind: pace under 9:30/mile for 17.0 long, long miles. I was very nervous and thought this was a lofty goal. But guess what? I DID IT!
Before I left, I had a bowl of granola with vanilla rice milk and a Clementine:
And then I started to LAYER. It was really cold outside (by Florida standards). I love running outside in “shorts but long sleeve” weather. It’s just so refreshing.
I’ve stopped using Body Glide, by the way. I realized it wasn’t helping my chafing AT ALL because I sweat so much that it just all melts away (gross, I know). I begun to cover the outline of my sports bra with athletic tape, and it works really well!
As mentioned, I chose to do this long run by myself because I might end up running the marathon alone – who knows! Lots of other bloggers and my BFF Lauren are running it, too, but I would never force someone to stay with me if they wanted to go ahead of me. Similarly, I would never hold back just to stay with a friend (maybe for another race, but not this one). So, I felt like it was important to get one solo long run under my belt.
The first 5.0 miles were uneventful. I just chugged along at my goal pace and listened to music.
However, at Mile 5.0, I underestimated how deep a puddle was and completely soaked both of my sneakers. It was BAD. I stopped my watch, ripped off my shoes, and stared at my dripping wet socks in HORROR.
I ended up wearing my socks on my hands for about 1.5 miles, spreading my fingers apart so the wind would rush through them and dry them out faster. It worked quite well – I just looked incredibly stupid. And my hands smelled like feet. 
I put my socks back on around Mile 6.5 and it was fine! Whew! No blisters.
I took Goo Shots at Mile 4.0, Mile 9.0, and Mile 12.0. I also stopped at the grocery store at Mile 9.0 (and stopped my watch) to use the bathroom and refill my water bottle.
I was doing SO well until Mile 15.0. I felt great, light, and fast. And then….
You know how they talk about the “runner’s high”? First of all, I have never experienced this high. I experience something I call “the disconnect.” And trust me, it doesn’t feel good.
At Mile 15.0, everything instantly started to hurt. I don’t mean “I’m-about-to-be-injured-hurt,” I mean, “my-body-hates-me-hurt.” I think you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t think running 17.0 miles is painful. My back, my knees, my thighs, my butt – EVERYTHING started to ache. I took my first walking break (timed) at that point.
Pain is Stage 1 of “the disconnect.” Stage 2 is when everything suddenly stops hurting and it feels like my legs are no longer attached to my body. That sounds good in theory, but I have now decided that really hate this because I feel like I have no control over myself – I’m just on autopilot.
“The disconnect” lasted until the very end of the run! But I was SO proud and SO happy for it to be over. I really can not believe my mileage splits – for me, these times are a-maz-ing.
- Distance: 17.0 miles
- Duration: 2:40:40
- Average Pace: 9:27
- Mile 1: 9:30
- Mile 2: 9:26
- Mile 3: 9:28
- Mile 4: 9:26
- Mile 5: 9:28
- Mile 6: 9:44
- Mile 7: 9:39
- Mile 8: 9:19
- Mile 9: 9:31
- Mile 10: 9:32
- Mile 11: 9:22
- Mile 12: 9:23
- Mile 13: 9:25
- Mile 14: 9:14
- Mile 15: 9:15 (with “the disconnect” and a walking break!)
- Mile 16: 9:40
- Mile 17: 9:16 (booyah!)
‘Twas an excellent and emotionally fulfilling run!
I came home, showered, iced, and made a quick Breakfast #2:
An egg and cheese sammie and leftover Chinese food. Yum!
What’s on the agenda for the rest of the day, you may ask?
Proofreading and fact-checking! This is very exciting.
Have you ever experienced a workout “high” or do you experience something similar to my “disconnect”? Or something else?
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Congrats, girl! I have experienced a workout high AND I guess what you could call a disconnect – just feeling like poop.
holy jeez. awesome job. You know you can do anything now.
Mine is more mental–I’ll be running, and suddenly I’ll be like, “Whoa, when did I run that last block?” I just zone out and don’t pay attention to my surroundings and then I freak out when I “wake up” from it. I always worry because it seems unsafe, but so far so good.
That happens to me when I drive sometimes! It’s scary!
ditto! road hypnosis. It’s a real thing.
When I ran my track 5k PR (18:52, yippee!), it felt like an out-of-body experience. I just kept me eyes focused slightly upward and forward and the laps passed by so quickly. I didn’t even feel that drained when I finished. I can’t really explain it, but it was the closest thing to a Runner’s High I think I’ll ever get!
I completely know what you mean about that body disconnect. In the summers I hike a lot! I’m talking an average of 16-20 miles for each hike. I work as a Park Ranger in Grand Teton National Park and the backcounry is out of this world and I LOVE spending as much time in it as possible. At the end of a long hike my body feels as if it is on its own and my legs are almost numb (?) and I am on auto pilot until I reach my car. I hate that feeling too and just want it over. Honestly it scares me a little. Way to go on your run though, you are one touch chica!!
dang girl!!! 16 mile hikes?! you are loco, i love it.
SWEET run!!
I’m doing my first 18 this weekend and a little nervous. My pattern so far is mile 1-3 warming up, 4-12 in the groove and feeling great, 13-16 negativity creeps in. I’ve GOT to get a grip on that. Any tips? Matras?
i think its important to acknowledge that negativity does not do ANYTHING good. there is really no reason to engage it in. also, my fav mantra is “pain is temporary, quitting is forever.” because its true. you can never get a disappointing run back.
true true…
SO true, SINCERE thanks for the reminder. Honestly, I stopped all of the negativity in ALMOST all areas of my life (eating, body images, etc…). These new distances are challenging my phyche and I have to remind myself that I’ve conquored negativity in all other areas and INSIST that it doesn’t invade my FUN running!!
CONGRATS ON YOUR SOLO RUN!!!
Sounds like it was a tough one but you made it through and in excellent time……..that is amazing, though I am not surprised you always amaze me with your running!
Have a great weekend! =)
I absolutely know what you mean about the “disconnect.” Whenever I do a long run, there is some point where nothing hurts any more and while I feel like I could run forever, I also feel like I have no part in what’s going on. In about a mile or two I kind of breakthrough to that “runner’s high” part and then I feel GREAT!
I get a disconnected feeling all the time, and I run minimally, like under 5 miles. I can’t feel my legs and I wonder how I am moving, and if I’m going to fall over…sometimes I don’t think I could run long distances and put up with that feeling for hours.
Then again, I disconnect easily at my desk, and just walking around. My head might just be weird.
I have had both the highs and lows. And its amazing how you get both multiple times during a marathon, or at least I do. Just when I think I can’t do it anymore, all of a sudden theres a rush from the crowd or from inside that makes me feel pumped all over again. Thank goodness for those moments!
CONGRATS on the great run!! And very exciting about the editing and final draft! Can’t wait to pick up the book when it comes out!
I have to hear more about this athletic tape in the sports bra! And the visual of you running with wet socks on your hand just cracks me up! I also have to say, reading about your runs makes me excited to start training for my second half (and maybe full this time!) marathon!
I know how you feel, I have a Half and I’m doing it with others, btu I wouldn’t want to hold anyone back…so some runs are nice by yourself, just in case I end up on my own.
I’m SUPER impressed!! Great job!!
glad to know i’m not the only one who has never experienced the elusive runner’s high. i have GREAT runs, but never euphoria!
GREAT JOB! i know that feeling! it’s what keeps me going back for more long runs
during my 16 miler, prior to injury a few weeks ago, i was singing along with kelly, “my life would suck without you” aloud…it felt GREAT! now everytime i hear that song, i get that same euphoric feeling i had when i was running. in fact it was on the end of glee and i almost started crying! part of my “high” comes from certain songs 
I get a runner’s high… but mine are very short and temporary! Like, I’ll be 4 miles into a run and all of the sudden be like “wow, I could run forever this feels so awesome” and then 1 mile later wondering if the run will ever end. Probably mental
Awesome! Way to push through it.
Congrats on another successful run!!
When I’m out running for a little while, I get in my “groove” — it’s not so much a runner’s high as a general rhythm where my arms and legs are moving the way I want them to and I’m not struggling for air. It feels nice for as long as it lasts!
Congrats on the great run!
awesome job! That’s so exciting! I’m just starting to run and I ran two and a half miles yesterday and felt thrilled! I enjoy it and I want to push myself but I am nervous to get an injury by going too fast. SO I decided to just pace myself and take it slow. Thanks for all the injury avoidance tips. It’s really helpful!
Wow. Amazing split times… that is SUPER speedy for that distance! Do you think you can keep it up for the last 9.2 miles? That would be AWESOME!
no! no way in hell LOL i was thinking that exact same thing on the run… “i could never do this for 26.2 miles”
well, not with that attitude!
Congrats on the long run! You are going to rock the marathon!!
amazing run, girl!!!
I have definitely experienced the workout high during a 10k that I did in central park last spring. I had been running the same loop for a few weeks and ran a PR…the whole time it felt like my entire body was “in it”…I mean just in the zone and it was great. I rarely know which runs will produce the runner’s high.
Great job on the long solo run. I have one planned for tomorrow morning and hopefully I won’t chicken out in the cold weather that we are now getting in NYC.
I’ve had the “runner’s high”, but I’ve also had the “runner’s low”
I’ve had that disconnect many times on my longer runs, esp when i was training for RNR San Diego. It was brutal. but great job on the run!
I have experienced the workout “high” on a run before. I think it was one of those things that I was so happy the run was going so well and I just didn’t want it to end. But, I had to finish it before I was sore, because I was afraid I was going to injure myself (since I hadn’t really worked up to that mileage).
Way to go, Caitlin! And to finish with a sub-9:30 average pace! WAHOO!
I’m so motivated by these long run posts. I’ve decided to sign up for the Denver marathon next year solely from reading about your training. YIKES. It seems so incredibly rewarding… Keep up the hard work girl!
YAY you can do it!
that’s awesome.
ha-ha! long distance cyclists say “auto-pilot?” – nope, barn fever!
omg in my 1/2 mary training, I had an 11 miler and I ran by Lake Michigan too close around mile 1.5 and a huge wave splashed me. I had wet socks, and shoes the entire run..therefor got blisters that bleed. I also was hit by a “ride by biker” on that run…what an eventful and emotion 11 miles I had LMAO. OH!…. then I had to go into work and it was a double shift, and was the bsiest day the restuarant had seen. I wanted to die all day
(jokingly speaking of course)
so proud for you do have run 17 miles! Next up 26!
xoxox
Lo
awww i cant believe a WAVE got you!
Congrats on the long solo run!
I’ve experienced everything from a runners “high” to a runners “low”. It just comes with the sport.
I LIVE for the runner’s high. The low? NSM. Ugh.
GREAT RUN, btw!
I experience a “runner’s high” on a fairly regular basis, I think. I’m usually just so grateful for the ability to run and proud of myself for getting out there! “The disconnect” sounds pretty bad. I’m sure once I start running longer (10 miles is my distance PR right now) then I’ll start to experience something like you described.
Amazing job, Caitlin! Those are enviable times!
I don’t think I’ve ever experienced “the disconnect,” but I do get a runner’s high sometimes. Not as often as I’d like, lol. But sometimes.
When I run, I’m always very attuned to my body and just how it feels. When I experience a “high,” I have this crazy, amazing idea that my body knows no limits–I’m fast, pain-free, dyanmic, etc. I LOVE this feeling; it is undoubtedly what keeps me running. Other times, my connectedness to my body feels a little limiting; I’ll become hyperaware of any minor ache or pain, and will feel as though my run has been compromised (even if it really hasn’t been). Sometimes I wish I could make the mental break from my body, and just run without feeling. I’m not sure I’d actually love the reality of this, but the fantasy is kind of appealing.
I get a runner’s high after I run if I push myself. A regular training run puts me in a good mood, but after a challenging run or a race, I’m always happy happy and talking a mile a minute about how much fun that was, and basically feel like I’m top of the world. Then of course, I get tired and need to lay on the couch and/or nap.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a disconnect, but during a couple of runs, I’ve just randomly felt really emotional to the point where I tear up and cry a little.
I can’t say I’ve ever experienced the runner’s high, but definitely something similar to your disconnect!
Great job on the solo 17! I really enjoy running with others, but sometimes it is refreshing to go out and see what you can do on your own.
I’ve never experienced runner’s high or even high energy after a workout. I’m usually just pooped!
Congratulations on 17 miles alone!! That is such an accomplishment and you should be very proud
I hate those running lows, sometimes i swear that running is one of the most mental sports! How can you run 5 miles easy one day, and then two days later you can barely put out 3? (for me at least) gahh so frustrating!!
congrats on the run!!! What a great job, even with having to run with socks on your hands
Good luck with the reading/editing today!
I used to get a runner’s high all the time when I first started running. Now, it has dwindled down to maybe once every two weeks. My head feels like it is going to pop off my neck and my whole body gets goose bumps. It is quite amazing.
I have also hit a wall where my legs go numb and just like you said I’m on autopilot. Everything is sore but numb at the same time. Really weird.
Good job on your solo 17!!
And, quick thinking to take your socks off and put them on your hands so you could finish your run. Whatever it takes!!!
I don’t get a runner’s high either. I definitely get the “disconnect”!
Editing and fact-checking?! HOW FUN! I miss my days with a red pen dearly…
wanna come do it for me?
If you need another set of eyes, let me know! I’d be glad to help.
Congrats lady, you should be VERY proud of yourself. Killer run and wonderful splits.
And also so exciting about wrapping up your book. What an awesome time of your life right now
I’ve never experienced the ‘high’ either. I think a lot of intense exercising is mental. So I definitely hit the ‘wall’ when I go on my long runs and have to mentally push through it.
Awesome run!
Good thinking with the socks– you’re like MacGyver
I definitely experience the disconnect more than the runner’s high, especially during the run. After the run is when the endorphins kick in for me.
Congrats on your solo 17! I would have such a hard time running that by myself. I don’t think I’ve ever run fast enough to experience a disconnect, though.
I have to say, your blog has helped me so much! I used to run, but have asthma and have had some serious lung problems in the past year. HTP was one of a few that made me really commit to healthy living, but yours alone is probably the biggest inspiration for me to run again.
A few months ago, I needed an inhaler to run a mile, and today I just finished my fastest four-mile pace ever, even when I was younger! I’m signed up for my first race EVER in March, a 9k for an organization that trains and assigns therapeutic dogs in my area, and I’m so excited!
Thank you, and please know that you’re doing wonderful things!
that is amazing – its awesome that you’ve been able to safely overcome your lung issues and run races! you should be so proud.
great job on the run! love the chinese food for breaky
jenna
I’ve had both experiences. Lately I get more of the high than the disconnect but if I’m pushing myself I definitely disconnect from my body and its weird.
Good luck on the proofreading
I knew you would be back at it and better than every after your frustrating runs this summer. You are rockin it!!
You ran 17 miles and you have a draft of a book! That’s amazing! This should motivate me to bust out a statistic paper today!
Great job!
holy crap that’s far.
I’ve gotten a runners high before. Just once but it was actually this week! I basically felt like all of a sudden I was excited, happy, enthusiastic and could run for the rest of my life without getting tired. So amazing!
I’ve gotten the runners high before, usually after an hour or so of running. To me the disconnect sounds like the “wall” you hit during running a Marathon. Around mile 20 in my first one and mile 22 in my second I definitely experienced something similar to this. My EVERYTHING didn’t just hurt, it hated me, and parts of my body I didn’t know could hurt were screaming at me that they were done.
Sorry, hope I didn’t scare you off. lol.
I’ve definitely felt that “high” when I just get in such a zone with my music and just RUN. I can feel a giant smile on my face
And I’ve also had the disconnect. I remember one long run specifically when at miles 18-20 I hit that wall. They were the hardest miles ever and my whole body just ached and had the chills. I felt like I had the flu or something!
Congrats on your solo run. What a way to reconnect with yourself
I experienced something like your “disconnect” in the last 4 miles of my marathon in October. My whole lower half ached and felt like it was just moving at its own pace. No matter how hard I tried to speed things up, my legs were only going one speed. I literally fought my tears back about 3 times.
Haha I totally did the puddle thing a little while ago too. Completely underestimated how deep a puddle was and got SOAKED!
Glad to hear it didn’t hold you back though
I have experienced the runners high, it’s one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had. Such pride, satisfaction, confidence and contentment!
Yesterday I experienced the “disconnect”… It was awful. I already had a hip injury but made a choice to run anyway- BAD idea..
My hip ached the whole way, then my quads started to cramp up, and then my knee started to hurt REEEALLLY bad (i had to stop for a while… I NEVER EVER stop on runs!) and then my butt began to hurt. I wanted to stop so bad and walk home but I made myself finish.
Eventually, he aches just kinda went away, I stared at the pavement and zoned out until the end.
It wasnt something I’d like to experience again.
First of all – Congrats on your run! I love your creativity with the socks. Very brave of you to stop mid-run and take off your socks.
As for runner’s high – I got my BEST one when I did my first 1/2 Ironman. I felt like I was floating above my body and everything was peaceful. It was incredible. I usually get them when I run for more than 2 hours now.
As for the pain/disconnect feeling – I don’t know if you plan your music but I think that helps. I always have really inspirational songs at the end of my run or readily available on my iPod. They help me get through the last few miles. Also, you might want to try to vary your running style a little when you feel a lot of pain. Try stretching out your legs, kick your heels up a little more, lift your knees, run diagnal/zigzag for a block. Anything to break the routinue. It might help with the pain at the end.
Also, have you heard of the vibram shoes? I highly recommend them for cross-training and long distance runners. It’s good to run in them on your “off days”
Well done Caitlin! I like getting some of my longer runs in alone as well- it is peaceful, I can go at whatever pace I want, and it really does prepare me for having to run alone at races.
I have to be honest- I’ve been running for almost 4 years now and I’m not sure I’ve really experienced a true runner’s high.
Go you missy! I would’ve never thought of doing that with my wet socks! So smart. I usually just keep running in the wet socks until my feet go numb from the cold. The feet-smelling hand part I don’t like, but hey, sacrifices.
GREAT job! My runner’s high usually comes when I’m finished with a race b/c I’m so friggin’ happy to be DONE! hee hee Way to go with keeping up a great pace and going it alone.
Wow you KILLED THAT RUN!
http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/
Great job on the 17 and what time! That is terrific. You’ll be a marathon all star.
I’ve really cut back my running lately. Snow has hit the ground, the sidewalks aren’t plowed and it seems the drivers are out to get any and all pedestrians. Runners make faster and more intriguing targets.
I enjoy running in the cool air as well, but when it hits the single digits around here, it gets a bit “painful”.
Look forward to your next running “journal”. So enjoyable.
Joanne, there is an interesting article in the Jan 2010 Runner’s World about road saftey! I wrote about it a bit here. I would love to hear your feedback!
What a run!
I admire how you always stay positive on your runs. If my socks got soaked like yours I would have probably would have cried. I love yo’ attitude, girl!
You kick ass man. Awesome run!!
I think I’ve gotten the disconnect you feel. I don’t have to think or feel…everything just does what it should, like auto pilot. Kind of weird.
Congrats on the run!!
Kudos to you for the solo 17!!! Wowza 17 is hard too do with a partner much less solo. I have yet to do that. I consider my “runners high” to be when all of a sudden I just feel good, everything just flows, the legs, my rhythem, the mental aspect like everything is in tune. Sort of like auto pilot I guess, but I love it, I run with a smile then!
Wow, first your pace is impressive. I couldn’t pull that pace for an entire 17 miles – way to go!! I’ve experienced a runner’s high only twice in my 16 years of running. It’s AMAZING and don’t know why or how I got them but it was a long time ago.
Way to push through. You’re going to do great at Disney. I love the image of you running with socks on your hands.
Great job Caitlin! I do get the high – when I am running slower.
Congrats on running 17 miles solo
Runner’s high is def. one of the best feelings I have ever expierenced. I also feel on the verge of tears after experiencing… congrats on your RUN!
i always feel so good after finishing a race that ive ran hard in, its the best feeling in the world!
Congrats on your run!! I don’t run so I’ve never experienced any of those things!! I think it’s amazing that you can run that far though!
Awesome job!! Congrats!! Love the left over Chinese for breakfast! We could be fast friends! Keep up the great work!
You are a charger! In Charlotte those socks would have frozen solid and given my fingers frostbite!!
Way to go on the run! I can’t wait to read the book, it’s going to be sssooo exciting!
Girl, that’s *awesome!* I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…your so inspiring! I can’t wait until I’ve worked up to such impressive mileage!
I’ve had the disconnected feeling and the feeling that everything is easy and wonderful and I don’t feel tired at all. I usually get an actual ‘runner’s high’ quite often, usually near the end of a run where I’ve pushed myself hard, either in distance or speed.
It may sound crass, but the only thing I could compare it to would be orgasm
It’s a very physical sensation and is eerily close to that. It usually lasts a couple minutes at most (which is not to say that I don’t still feel good and strong afterward). I run for the moments of happiness but the runner’s high is the icing on the cake. It’s so sad how many people haven’t had one 
OK then I have DEFINITELY never experienced runner’s high! LOL
Congrats on the run! I came across your website today, and it makes more sense than a lot of the other websites I’ve visited in a long time.
I’ll def keep reading!
Congrats on the run! I definitely get a runner’s high, or just any exercise high
so this is probably only marginally relevant, but on my college basketball team we used to have to run “240s” (length of the football field and back, including endzones) and she just kept ‘em comin… the first time i ever did it i was so nerved up i clenched my fists really tight and by the end, not only was i seeing spots, but i had NO control over my arms… they were just dangling and flapping at my sides.
i’m sure that’s the day i really impressed the coach!
haha
Congrats on 17 miles! And the first draft of your book!! WHOO HOO!
I’ve experienced a high before but yours sounds kind of scary! Mine is never painful, I usually just feel like I’m floating or like I’m running on clouds, ha ha.
I experience exercise “highs” all the time — it’s one of the reasons I workout
but I haven’t heard of “the disconnect”. Where did you learn about this… I wanna know more!
i made up it
hahahaha! no wonder when I tried to google it, nothing came up!!! too funny
Awesome job! And great idea with the socks…I would never have thought of doing that!
Honestly I love how you describe how you feel during these runs because it’s nice to hear honesty during the stress of a long run. Obviously running long distances and training for a marathon is stressful on the mind/body, but it’s nice to hear exactly how you’re feeling so that when others are training they don’t have to feel like something is wrong, you know?
And, as I always say, you ROCK! Have a good night!
Okay, you look super cute in those pics
Congrats on the solo seventeen!!! That feels like such a loooong time to be out running by yourself. That was some good thinking with your socks too. I’ve never heard of the “disconnect” before, but I bet it’s happened to me. I’ve definitely gotten a runner’s high before 
OMG – it is so amazing to see your book there!!! Wow!!!
You look really young in those pics BTW
hehe now that is a complement. i’m hope i continue to look 21 for many years.
Congrats on the solo seventeen! I never would of thought to try to dry my socks out, so smart! Love your race shirt too
As far as a “high” goes, I always feel better after working out. Gotta love the endorphins! It’s how I motivate myself sometimes to get there. I just remember “I’ve never regretted going to the gym, but usually regret not going.”
Anyway, I have a TMI question. Sometimes when I run, my nipples hurt. I think it’s chaffing. Do you have any suggestions?
hmm i know they have nipple guard! http://www.nipguards.com/
Maybe I’ll try it. It only happens sometimes. Maybe I should pay attention to what I’m wearing and what time of the month it is.
Thanks, sorry for the TMI question. I figured you look like a runner with boobs . .
haha boobs are good. i think a good sports bra is prob your best bet – i think the fiona by moving comfort is awesome.