Notes
This was a long run for sure. I'll fill this in some more later because I'm too tired right now. It was so great to finish it with the rest of the team. I feel like I could sleep for a couple days right now. I'm feeling sore overall, but no problem areas at this point. We'll see how well I'm walking around tomorrow.
I need to break this down for future reference:
As usual, I did not have the best night sleep before this. I always get a bit nervous before these really long runs. I think that's to be expected. When the alarm went off at 6:15, I did not want to do this, but I got up and went though my routine and ate a normal breakfast and about a half cup of coffee.
Got to Pete's a bit late, but I still figured I was ok on time and I could shorten a few minutes if I had too. First 6 miles were mostly uneventful running to the Towpath, but I realized I was going to have to pee which I expected because I made sure I was extra hydrated from the night before, plus the morning coffee. Soon as I got the towpath I stopped to pee and then had my first half sandwich and walked for a couple minutes, hence the 10:22 mile. These kinds of walk breaks are good practice, because I plan to walk while eating during my 50.
Ran along the tow path past Zarephath which was new to me. I haven't been up this far north on it. Including today, I think I've run on at least 15 miles of tow path which is pretty cool. I hit the turn around point just short of Davidson which made me feel like I had run pretty far a way because I was so close to 287. No problems so far. I had my second half pbj and did a bit more video. I had been going a bit faster on the tow path (mid 8s) so even with the walking break while eating and taking some video, I still managed a 9:30 mile.
A couple miles after this, my legs started feeling sore, and I think the affects of my saturday 10 miler were beginning to present themselves. At first I was a bit concerned because I could feel it in my shins and I was worried I was going to get a shin splint or even worse a stress fracture, but I think I was just being paranoid. And now in retrospect, I was definitely being paranoid. The truth is, that at these longer distances, all sorts of aches and pains start forming and you have to just accept that.
After a mile or so, I started to feel really good, and my legs were feeling great. I got off the tow path and ate my 3rd pbj half while walking up a slight hill and took some more video. This was a 10:07 mile. I was feeling good, but already looking forward to meeting up with the team back at Pete's. I had about 5 miles to go and I was a bit tired but not too bad. I got through the 5 miles with no issues, including a small walking break up the steep hill over the train tracks on hamilton. I met up with the group at 21 miles in 3:05:02, 8:48 pace. There is no way I could continue this for a 50M, but I think I could have kept it up for a 50K.
I ate 4 pbj halfs with a water and a half water/half gatorade. I think that worked well, but I have no idea if that's what I'm going to do at the 50m. I definitely need to order some s!caps. I had some salt lines on my face when I finished and this was half the distance and at cooler temps. I will need to supplement sodium and potassium for sure. I don't know if I'll need other food or mroe food for the later miles either. This still remains the thing I am most concerend about although the PBJs have been working great.
Looking forward to the 50K in two weeks!