RUN 20 miles in 3hr 13 mins, ave pace 9:44 and ave HR 139
Once more and done…the last long run of this training plan!
The plan did specify a 3hr SLEazy run but I was too close to 20 to quit. That
and 20 miles has a sort of magical appeal, it’s an even number and it’s got a “2”
in front of it. Most marathon training programs are in part evaluated by how my
20-milers there are. So I couldn’t quit before 20.
While I couldn’t quit, I also had trouble starting. My sleep
has been poor lately. Even though I’m going to bed early at 830-9pm and not
getting up until 530 I’m still not feeling rested. Lot of factors at play here
or course, and the first one that comes to mind is the fact that I drink a lot
of water right before bed. As in, while I’m sitting in bed waiting to turn off
the lamp I drink a bottle of water! Duh! Why can’t I drink it at 7pm? Good
question, hadn’t really thought of that until now…
So all through the night I’m up delivering the water baby. I
fall right back to sleep, yet it’s still a disturbance. And it’s frustrating
because I wake up and don’t really process the time, I just think it’s time to
get up! So last night at 10:32pm I woke up thinking it was time for coffee and
my morning banana!!!! I was so disappointed that I had to go back to bed! Then
again at 3am, and again at 4:30am. I’m in a half-awake/half-dream state and it
seems so frustrating to have to go back to bed, yet so inviting to do so… Gawds this IM thing has me messed up!
Anyways, my hydration was low yesterday too. And I didn’t
eat lunch, I just ate breakfast and dinner. And not a great dinner either, it
was a eat-this, eat-that, eat-this too munch fest trying to get satisfied. It
doesn’t take a lot of brain power to realize I was actually thirsty! I just don’t
have that type of power that late in the day. So right before triathlete
midnight I was eating a devil bar and recovery bar serving. Yes I needed the
calories for the run, but still…I could do better than dried fruit and nuts.
Further, I think all the dried fruit, nuts, and protein
powders are what’s messing with my stomach. I really gotta work on that…
Anyways, I wake up for good at 530 but still don’t get out
the door until a little after 7. Breakfast was a banana, peach, some greek
yogurt…gotta work on that too…and off to FP for the planned 3 loops. I was
ready to run but lacking the itch to really rock it. More along the lines of
Just Get It Done. I had my new Brooks Adrenaline 12’s on—their first miles will
be this run—so I was excited to test them out. I had my old ones in the truck
just in case the first loop proved them not a good idea.
The day was beautiful. Blue skies, mid-60s, light winds, and
those super high whispy clouds that seem impossibly far away. What more could I
ask for?
I started off doing the loop c-clockwise. The first loop
went smoothly with a few stops for water. A gel and I was off. 6.6 miles in 1hr
3mins.
The second loop I went clockwise just for fun. That’s my
idea of fun these days. I still felt good, the feet a little sore, some hip
muscles talking to me, and really only boredom as a complaint. Still a gorgeous
day, how could I complain? A gel and I was off. 6.6 miles in 1hr 4 mins. Steady
as Eddy.
The 3rd loop was also clockwise and after the
stop at the VC and truck (to swap the 2x espresso gel for a peanut butter one)
my legs were stiff and reluctant to be moving again. It took some time to
settle back into the run. I had 53 mins left for the 3hrs, and after some bad
math and struggling, I realized I could run to 2:34 and turn around for 3hrs.
Or I could run 3.5 miles out then back for 20. Or I could just keep running the
3rd loop and see what happens. I was so tired, that’s what I did.
The other options took too much mental energy.
The PB gel wasn’t sitting well, which is funny because I can’t
eat real PB or nut butter for a run and PB is an ingredient in the gel, but it
can’t be all that much. My legs were starting to wear down and when I stopped
at a fountain they started to do that rubber band-feeling crampy-pain they do
when the burn is starting to add up on them. When I stopped, they tightened and
pained, and a few times I thought my left calf was going to lock up. As long as
I kept moving I was OK. Simple answer there…keep moving!
The last loop was loooonnnggg….but coming down Skinker hill
another walker going up gave me a short round of applause. Huh? Just a few
claps and a smile that said “go” or “awesome” or something like that. I gave
him a smile and a thumbs up. Admittedly going downhill I probably looked like I
had a lot of energy. That was the only conversation I had all morning with
runners, unlike last week I didn’t see anyone I knew this time.
When I finally hit 20, I walked, actually it was more of a
trudge. A shuffle. My legs immediately started hurting and complaining,
especially my calves. Keep walking. Get cold water. Then finally I was OK to
sit. I was thirsty and oh-so-hungry but my tummy was NOT ready for food. I decided
against going right to work and instead went home for food, shower, and maybe a
nap.
Later at work (I didn’t manage to nap btw, just eat and
shower) I was barely moving. Unlike in the run, in which my body shut down
before my mind, my mind was doing OK at work while my body rebelled against
even a walk down the hall. Recovery from
this one will be long, I’m afraid.
Ironically, this 18-20 mile goal run is the longest for the
IM training, but is base long run mileage in my 50-miler training plan! YIKES!
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