So I'm back from a week in St. Kitts. It was a good trip, but not relaxing as I was there for work. You know you travel a lot when you travel to St. Kitts, and instead of staying through the weekend, you go, "Hmmm. I'd really rather just be home."
While there I ran 5 on the treadmill on Tuesday, 3 on the treadmill on Thursday morning and then 4.5 outside on Thursday afternoon. I didn't run on Friday or Saturday, and then I did 20 on Sunday morning.
The 20 felt good for the first half. The next 5 were okay, but at 15-16 I hit the wall. Just like the last 20 I slowed and slowed and slowed. I managed to finish 1 minute under the last 20 miler, but it didn't feel any better. I did better with eating this time, and I looked at what was different between my good 18 and the 2 crappy feeling 20's. The only two things I could see were the amount of sleep and the temperature. The 18 was run in the low 70's. The first 20 was in the upper 70's, and this one? I checked it when I got home: 81 degrees (87 heat index). Maybe that's why I ran out of gas.
I'm thinking I'll pace myself a little more at the marathon. Maybe not try to hit the 9 min/mile so hard in the first half.
Anyway.
Stats:
Treadmill: who knows
4.5 miles
39:40
8:49/mile
20.02 miles
3:04:57
9:14/mile
The sound of one hand clapping is Mike.
HEAT and WIND (and hills) are enemies. I can remember many tough runs where heat was involved. In fact, I believe the one hot, humid day we had this summer I actually STOPPED and walked the last 2 miles. I think you will be better off because of your experience running in this heat and humidity.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing an amazing job. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete