So this run didn't feel nearly as good as the 18 miles. I started out about the same, but within a few miles was having mild abdominal cramps. Those cleared around mile 8, and I felt pretty good. At mile 13 I started to feel some pain in my joints, especially my left knee. I kept looking for landmarks, but it took forever to get to where I thought I should be. With four miles left I could tell I was slowing down. I'd kept my pace between 9:00-9:15 most of the way, but I really hit a wall. Okay, maybe not a wall, but a fence. One of those old rusty fences that wobbles when you try to climb over it. You know you can do it, but it won't be pretty. I finished without even trying a kick and figured I probably could have kept going, but it wouldn't have been fun.
So what was different? I didn't eat as well as usual yesterday. I had light pasta for lunch, but then got talked into going out for dinner. Burger. Bleh. I think that had to do with cramps the next day. Also, I didn't get as much sleep this time either. Then, because of the cramps, I didn't eat any energy gels until after half-way. I did drink 24 oz. of Gatorade and water (48 oz total). What else? It was 2 degrees warmer? 76, I think. Oh, and no glasses! That was cool.
I'm thinking I'll go to my new shoes. I'm only at 300 miles on these, but that seems to be where I really start to feel it.
I feel pretty good about the run. Not a great time, but I made it through several things that worry me. Cramps, pain, just not feeling good. I know I can hit a wall and keep going.
By the way, what kind of response do you get when you tell people, "I ran 20 miles this morning?" I mostly get, "That's crazy." or "Why." I think I get more of that or even, "That's stupid," than I do. "Wow. That's awesome." Just wondering.
Stats:
20.02 miles (wasn't looking at my watch and went over a bit)
3:05:52
9:17/mile
Mike didn't draw first blood. They did.
When I did 20 miles (oh so many years ago), I got the "Wow! Why?", but generally never "that's crazy". Most people assumed the marathon training, I think. Actually, now that I think about it, most of the time I would say something like "I am training for a marathon and ran 20 miles this morning." to which most people were just amazed, I think because I didn't look like someone who could run 20 miles...
ReplyDeleteGreat job. If I remember correctly, 20 miles was a shitty run for me and C the year we did it.
It was never fun running 20 or more miles.
ReplyDeleteMIKE- GREAT RUN...9:17/mile is very good and respectable. Especially knowing you can do it closer to 9:00. I'm shooting for a 10:30 pace again and hoping I can keep that going for 20. Should be at 3:30 if we keep that pace. Gu Chompers and Gatorade. Starting at 7am tomorrow morning. High of 76 for tomorrow and should be well under that when we finish. We'll see.
GREAT JOB MIKE! YOUR CRAZY! 20 miles?! Hell of a run!