August 28th - Long run failure

I felt pretty good this morning - Although I continue to sleep way to much.  I am going to have to set an alarm on the weekend another 10 hours of deep sleep.

For me the key to long runs (30+ miles) is the pacing and nutrition.  This morning I just could not dial down the pacing.  With my current fitness level (Low) I should be running 8:15 pace for a 35 miler. 

For these long runs I find a nice 7 mile loop with a bathroom on one end and my truck on the other works well logistically.

Loop#1 - I felt pretty sluggish and slow.  By the end of the loop I had relaxed and warmed up - A beautiful morning - High 50s and low humidity.  Time 54:48 (7:50) - Too fast for my fitness, but wasn't going to kill me if I ramped it down the rest of the run.  I drank Endurox at the truck, grabbed my handheld and 2 gels and I was off.

Loop #2 - A nice breeze off the lake kept it cool.  There were a lot of people out running and walking.  I ran a mile or so a bit fast as I do not like to get passed (Stupid I know).  54:46 (7:46) - Again I could salvage this long run, just back down.  Endurox at the truck and 2 gels to go.

Loop #3 - At this point I started to think of all the Budget work I had to do today and how I could not really afford 5 hours of running.  The mental garbage started to build, so I decided that 21 would be enough and picked up the pace the last 3 miles.  Not really fast, just an enjoyable faster pace than I had been running.  51:56 (7:25)

So the long run turned into just a nice marathon training run.  21 miles in 2:41:06.

Next time I need to start a lot earlier than 7:00am, although I am not sure I will have the time before the end of September to go long again.  Maybe I will pick a week night and get it in??

Good running to all -