12.11.2005

17.1 Miles

Rain dripped off my visor as I pounded out 17.1 miles this morning. By myself. I survived.

I almost did not go because it started to drizzle and I calculated I could go later in the day when the forecast was for clearing. That sounded to me like the genesis of a poor excuse not to run at all. I HAD to go long today. It was vital after slacking a couple weeks. My mileage slipped from 42 miles the week of Thanksgiving to 31 including the half marathon and then just 27 last week.
I was dressed to go and fueled up. I sat at my laptop and plotted a double route run. The first lap was tight around the lake for six miles and then a scenic diversion route of 11.1 on the second lap, my usual Sunday run.
The first six miles were easy for me. I was thinking I'd try to keep it slow for the first 14 miles. I stole the idea out of January's Runners World to go slow, then lower the pace by 10 seconds each of the last three miles. I stopped at M6 for some Gatorade. At M10 I had half a pack of some tasty orange Gu and water. It may not have been enough fluid. From M12-14 I was cramping in my right calf a lot and showing poor form. Then the rain started coming down too. I told myself this was good; that I needed some adversity to prepare for the full marathon.
At M14 I stopped at a park, with a steady drizzle, and found somebody's cooler with an ample supply of Gatorade so I had a good 10 ounces with the rest of my Gu. It didn't take long for the glycogens to restock and keep me moving, cramp free. I covered the last three miles at an increased pace, although I didn't mark time to measure my splits.
As soon as I got home I grabbed a Gatorade, peeled off the wet shirt and everything else and jumped in the shower. I couldn't wait. My hands were so cold the water felt like it was burning them. I threw on some shorts and a t-shirt and got back into bed, under the covers with my knees elevated. I fell right to sleep for 30 minutes.
Stretching was easy except for my right calf and Achilles. Even my back felt good. I did concentrate on good running form many times out there today.
A PB&J sandwich with water and some yogurt revived me. I have to say it was a sneak peak at what 26.1 may feel like. I covered the 17.1 today in 2:43:38 which is a 9:34 pace (which included a couple stops). That's my goal pace. I was supposed to run slower than that today but didn't. Oh well.

10 comments:

Michelle said...

Good for you putting in the distance. It's a tough time of year to put in the miles between the shopping, eating and merriment!

Anonymous said...

Good job on your long run. Especially considering the weather. I'm a former Orlando resident, and Rollins College grad,and ran many times in Winter Park. Miss my visits to the Track Shack running store down there. Stay Strong. From Steve at ChristianRunner.com

Rae said...

Great job and awesome pace!! You never know, it may be raining in Miami!! (HOPE NOT, though!!)

So, this Gatorade cooler you found, was that random or do you know the runner who stashes it there??

Oldman said...

i kinda like running in the rain but not a down pour. have you tried the new gaterade endurance? i like it.

Noames said...

good for you, getting out there and pushing through, despite the rain. And that's awesome that you maintained your race pace, despite the rain, the dehydration and the cramps. At this rate, you'll totally rock the marathon.

it's not going to rain in Miami, right?

Jon (was) in Michigan said...

Nice job, David. Nothing like a good run in the rain.

But, uh, "...and found somebody's cooler with an ample supply of Gatorade..."? I hope you know whose it was and I hope it wasn't opened already. Ewwwwww!

Dawn - Pink Chick Tris said...

Nice job on running in the rain.

Unknown said...

Good job on the long run. Which marathon are you training for?

Unknown said...

awesome work on getting out there and knocking out the 17 alone! the harder it is during training, both physically and mentaly, the easier it'll be on race day.

jeanne said...

Nice!