Every long run has a tale and this one is no different. The goal of the day was to complete 18 miles at 9 minutes per mile for 11 and insert 7 miles at 8 minutes a mile in the middle. Seems pretty tough to think about even now, but, the better shape I get in, the easier it is- but- it’s NOT ever easy.
Our run started at 4:30AM. That meant leaving at 4:10AM, dropping bottles on the way and running 5 miles in the pitch black darkness. This part was a little scary. Ok, a lot scary. Another friend had seen a Mountain Lion at this same location just a few weeks prior- so I was SINGING at the top of my lungs- “go away mountain lion”. Only one dog barked at us and scared the crap out of my buddy- she started screaming and sprinted a quarter mile away from us. At 430, when you can’t see your Garmin you either run fast or you run slow. I think we were pretty slow at this point, I can’t remember. By the time we got to the first five mile starting point into the next town, we were warmed up and ready- cruising it at 830 miles.
10 miles into town, mostly downhill went smoothly. My running buddy, Bobbi, decided to try a new sports drink today (Cytomax) and she kept saying how good it tasted and how much it tasted like Kool-Aid and to me that is a bad sign. I’m always skeptical of new hydration drinks particularly when the ingredients are NOT listed on the website. Anyway, she got VERY sick and struggled the last four miles of the run. Attempted to puke or poop about every mile after mile ten. She survived it though!
Together we managed to run 7 miles at 8 minutes a mile and complete the last mile at 830. This is amazing to me! I was not struggling at all. I did notice in the last few miles that my feet hurt and that my left shoe was bloody- then I finally realized what is causing my toes to bleed. MY SHOES ARE TOO SMALL AND THEY ARE HITTING THE SEAMS. So, on the long runs, my toes are slamming into the seams and causing blisters and lost toenails. Argggg…
Recovery was tough, though. I was immediately MASSIVELY sore! My hamstrings were tight or sore, not sure which, but I could barely walk for two days. I even played softball on Friday night, somehow managed to hit the ball a few times but I could NOT run to first base at all! Got myself a runner once I got on first base. Hamstrings were NOT letting me move at all! Next week is my first “test” of the marathon plan. We will be racing a half marathon in San Diego. Wish me luck!
10 responses so far ↓
1 MizFit // Aug 10, 2008 at 10:53 pm
OMG
you? bobbi? BEYOND HARD CORE.
um. am I right that it will get easier from here?!?
a little? with bigger shoes and no cytomax?
in admiration,
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2 Strong One // Aug 10, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Wow. No words can describe my admiration for you.
I can only imagine the sacrifice it has taken to get to that level.
(me bowing down to you)
YOU GO GIRL
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3 Running Knitter // Aug 11, 2008 at 2:01 am
Awesome job on your long run and good luck on the half!
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4 Fitarella // Aug 11, 2008 at 1:26 pm
so awesome Rach! What was the average/per mile time?
Get thee to the running store for new sneaks woman!|
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5 Cindy // Aug 11, 2008 at 3:27 pm
What what an experience! You go girl. Screaming Hamstrings and all.
6 Jill Will Run // Aug 11, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’m trying to adapt to Cytomax, since they’re serving it at my next two marathons I’m running. I think the people at CytoSport just did a poor job of creating their site when they left off the ingredients because they can be found on other sites.
Drugstore.com product page
Good job on getting through the run, even with the trials to deal with. That just makes you even more hard-core!
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7 Mark Salinas // Aug 11, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Great job!
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8 jeff // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:35 pm
like i said in twitter, great recap and well done with the long run. dropping and maintaining that faster pace late in a long run can be very challenging. it pays off in spades, though, as it trains your body to really dig deep when you’re tired.
great job!
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9 kch // Aug 12, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Great job on your run – and I’m glad you figured out the reason for your blisters. Should make for a much more pleasant experience on your next long run.
kchs last blog post..Another Nike+ Race – The Women’s Half Marathon
10 Megan // Aug 13, 2008 at 11:12 pm
So the dog freaked me out a bit! What can I say- it was pitch black!!! good job on the run- you did awesome!
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