Notes
9:52 9:38 9:34 9:19 9:05 9:16 9:18 9:05 8:59 9:00 8:59 8:56 8:48 8:44 8:48 8:54 9:08 9:07 8:54 8:27
This was not what I intended or expected so I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about it. Started out with Robin, Maria & Karen. It was good to have Maria out again! She left us after about 5 or so & the three of us continued back to Forum where Karen left and Robin & I met Dan and continued on the trail. Robin cut off at Twin Lakes and I ran with Dan for a little while, keeping up just a little faster than what we had been doing. Dan took off on his own after a bit & finished, and I continued on solo. My original goal was a slow, long run maybe 9:20s - 9:30s. That lasted 3 miles, but I was feeling fine. At 10 I was getting nervous because of the 9 min. pace. Although I still felt good, I vowed to slow down for the last half, which is the opposite of how I like to run long, but no real big deal. (I lied) I guess it was about mile 16 that I started to feel tired -- and emotional -- which made the running even harder. This feeling reminded me of the beginning of my struggles at the Lewis & Clark Marathon. For the first time in a long time it became a mental effort. By that time I had also put the added pressure on myself of trying to average off at marathon goal pace since I had already come this far. I was starting to wonder how I really was going to finish off 20 though as I felt I was losing energy. Dan came along on his bike about mile 18 and stayed with me till I finished. Apparently, I was fine physically as the company and motivation got me going again. I really did feel pretty good. I tried out my new teeny tiny water bottle (actually a GU bottle) on this run which worked well. I had GU at about 5 and sports beans slowly after 10. Maybe that's not enough. I was losing energy, and doubt I could have continued on 6 more at pace. I will experiment with more intake next long run. I've been subdued today thinking of the run, but I've actually learned a lot. Without a taper, and following a fairly heavy run week, I did 20 at goal pace. I realize I need to try to take more fuel. My teeny tiny water bottle worked well, and when I start to think I might be cooked, I'm really probably not. I took a 15 min. ice bath afterwards and had a massage later in the day. I feel good, and I don't ache. I am going to keep an eye on my intensity though in the next few weeks and continue bi-weekly chiropractor visits. Oh, and the next massage is already scheduled . . .