Training Log: 24.4

Saturday, 4/19: 20 miles in 2:47:52 or 8:24/mi (PMP +:19); Long Run

The longest scheduled run of my training program is done. I may do yet one more 20 miler or a little more, but as far as my plan goes...I have reached high camp, spent time in the death zone, and am in striking distance for my summit attempt 5 weeks from today. FIRST called for this run to be done at PMP + 30, and I was under that, but not brutally so. Mission accomplished.

I learned a few things, as one is supposed to on these long runs. First, I got up and ran on the day and at the time that the real race will be. This turned out to be quite pleasant. Weather couldn't have been better. Warm, not too windy, slightly cloudy but with a high ceiling so it was nice and bright. Lovely Spring morning.

Second, drinking about 8 oz of water for every 4 miles or so seems to be tolerable and keeps me reasonably hydrated. I lost 3 lbs. on this run, but that's not terrible, I don't think.

I believe I will need an eating strategy slightly better than the one this morning. I should have slightly more food than I am used to for breakfast, I think, but not a whole lot...maybe an extra banana or something. I felt fatigued at the end of this run, especially mile 19 and 20, and my pace dropped in the second half (alas, no negative split today...).

Since I do Type II diabetes (why I "do" it rather than "have" it is something for another post, I eat and exercise to manage blood glucose. No hammer gels. :) But I clearly need to eat something around the 10 mile mark and probably the 20 mile mark too. My blood glucose was good when I finished today, 91, which means I didn't bonk...but I think a little boost along the way is definitely called for.

Finally...my feet feel good. No hot spots. My muscles are sore, but my joints feel fine.

Training Log: 20.1

Sunday, 3/9: 15.1 miles in 2:10:03 or 8:36/mi (PMP +31).

Today's long run was a struggle. I felt slow, tired, and angry for most of it. Sick of running in the cold. Last 7 miles into a 10mph headwind; cold, cold, cold. Definitely one of the worst training runs I've had.

Still, I was on the prescribed pace for today's long run. That's good I suppose. I mapped out a course of 18 miles, but ended up walking the last three because I developed a big blister along the side of my left foot. I could have toughed it out, but my foot would have been pretty torn up. Better to slow down and train another day, I figured.

Summary of today: ugh.

Training Log: 17.1

Sunday, 2/17: 12 miles in 1:35:06 or 7:55/mi (PMP -10). FIRST week 5 (14) long run.

Ok...I admit this is too fast. But in my defense, it's the first time I've been able to run outside in weeks. I hit a brief window where the rain died down, it was 40 degrees and a bit breezy, but otherwise ok. There was even sun for the first 4 miles or so. The freezing rain kicked back in right as I was finishing up.

But wow! 12 miles @ 7:55! That's awesome. And no joint or impact pain; felt great for most of this run, in fact. Mile 11 was a struggle; it was getting cold and windy again and I felt a bit sluggish. But the last mile was good.

I measured the route carefully yesterday so I could keep an eye on my splits. My first mile was way too fast, but after that I tried to reign myself in and run a steady pace. I think I did that pretty well. The first split was 1:30 under PMP, and I only put another 30 seconds total into the PMP time over the next 11 miles. Good, steady running.

It may have been physically a bad idea, but this is a nice confidence booster. We'll see if it's worth it or not...