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April 9, 2006
35 Miles in Today!
On Saturday I was planning to do a workout but my friend was still sick so instead I ran an easy four mile with her and one of the athletes I coach, Jennie. It was the first time all week I felt great. I was tempted to run more and would have but we all talked so much after the run that by the time we realized what time it was we all had things to do. Saturday was technically still grouped in my easy week category so I was not worried about it and I was just relieved to feel good.
This morning I got up and drove to Burlington with Mark. We arrived at 8 a.m. and there were at least 20 people at the health club for the morning long run. I was happy to find three people running my pace (8 minutes) for 20 miles and decided to join them. I ran the first 20 miles with two individuals who are training for the VT City marathon. I felt great. I had had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast and finished a large bottle of water during the 20 miles. The temperature was great and I was definitely over dressed but I did not feel terribly uncomfortable. I could have worn shorts and a t-shirt but instead had tights and a long sleeve shirt. I spent a bit more time refilling my water bottle with 1/2 water and 1/2 poweraid and gathering my snacks (half a peanut butter sandwich and some jelly life savers) and lost about 10 minutes of time (I was also socializing). I suddenly knew I had to go. I went back out on the bike path for another 15 miles. I slowed my pace down a bit because I was worried about being really tired at the end of the run. I was running 8.15 which felt really slow but I knew I could finish at that pace. I ate a 1/4 of my sandwich at 3 hours and then nibbled on a few jelly life savers every 20 minutes or so. I was waiting to hit the wall. My goal was to finish half of my drink in the first hour and the second half in the last half. I was able to do this and experienced no cramping. The only pain I felt was a bit in my calves with three miles to go but then I ate some jelly's and felt fine and in the final down hill my knees were sore, otherwise I had great energy.
All in all I ran for about 4 and a half hours, maybe a bit less, 4 hours and 20 minute. Ideally I wanted to run for 5 hours but I was really pleased with 35 miles and especially happy with how I felt. I liked running on the bike path because I saw people the entire way and having company for the first 20 helped so much. I talked the entire time. I feel like I could run a good 50k right now. I feel more confident about the 100k coming up but know I will have a few more miles to add. I think the rest week helped a lot because I felt fresh and energetic and I don't think I will feel too beat up tomorrow. The flat terrain makes the recovery a bit easier. In May I will do my super long runs on the trails and try to continue a 20 mile run once a week in Burlington for company and to feel some turnover. I am very happy to get this first long run out of the way because I was procrastinating for much too long. I do have one little blister on my toe but it is the one area where I always get one. It should be fine for tomorrow but I plan to monitor it. Now, time to rest for a bit. Oh, I think I ran more today than I did all last week! :)
Posted by mary at April 9, 2006 2:16 PM
Comments
Great discipline, Mary, and excellent running! I'm looking forward to meeting up with you again at Vermont, this time as a fellow runner (and with a similar goal-- completing a 100-miler before turning 30!). What 100km are you doing on the 23rd? Enjoy your rest and recovery from today's effort...
Posted by: Sarah at April 9, 2006 5:19 PM
Wow Mary!! A 35 mile run--that's so awesome. I don't know how you do it...Very impressive!!
Posted by: Caitlin at April 9, 2006 7:36 PM
Wow! I bet having company for the first 20 miles made the first part go by much faster. I think that if you're going to work on doing extra long runs every other weekend or so you'll probably need to take it easy going in to it and the first few days out of it.
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at April 9, 2006 7:59 PM
You're amazing!
Posted by: Alison at April 9, 2006 8:12 PM
Mary I'm so glad you got in such a great long run. The pace sounds very fast and legit for such a long long run. Great thinking to go up there for company. Very nice job . I was looking forward to reading your blog! :) see you soon Liz
Posted by: Liz at April 10, 2006 12:28 AM
impressive to say the least. Thank-you also for nutritional info. cheers corrado
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at April 10, 2006 10:26 AM
Wow Mary - 35 miles is awesome! How strange to finish a 20 miler and THEN go out for another 15. :) Great job! I hope you are recovering well!
Posted by: Beth at April 10, 2006 8:28 PM