17 mile run

I completed my 17 mile run last night!  I started around 5pm since we helped a friend unpack their moving truck and ended up getting back later than expected.  The run started out really well- I had to hold myself back from running too fast- sometimes a good sign.  I had my phone in a belt on my waist with my Pandora stations- on shuffle at first, then I had to pick a station since it kept playing Christmas music and classical- not appropriate for this run!  The clouds of bugs were the only unfortunate incidences along the run.  I dry-heaved after inhaling one and had to hold my breath and dodge the clouds after that incident.  I HATE running into bugs.  It's the worst when you are breathing hard.

I completed 2 loops of my planned route then it got too dark to be able to see on the dirt trails near the lake so I had to stick to well-lit sidewalks so I wouldn't get abducted.  I'm not even joking about that... I would periodically glance behind me to make sure I wasn't being followed and ran (like I always do) with only one earbud in. The dark slowed me down a little since curbs were tough to gauge their depth and my effort to lift my leg to actually clear the curb increased as well as the run went on.  I had my phone on me so I was occasionally giving updates to Matt about how far along I was and how my run was going.

The run was beautiful in the sunset light.  The sun lit up a field of gold and threw dramatic shadows over the trail from the yellow and red aspen.  The temperature dropped shortly after the sun went down. My upper body was warm enough even though my top was damp from sweat but I was still only wearing my tri shorts.  The only part of my body that was cold were my kneecaps, which became a little painful around mile 13- most likely because of the cold.  Around the same time my legs began to cramp.  My quads and calves were painful with every step on the unforgiving concrete.  Instead of looping back to the car to grab some water to wash down my salt pills, I kept going with 'only a few miles left' and 'only a little longer' repeating in my head. 

Since I didn't really know the layout of the neighborhood I hadn't planned on running around I had to tell my calorie-deprived brain to look at the road signs and remember what streets I was turning on.  Luckily I have a gift for navigating and can usually find my way back from anywhere without too much effort.

I got back to my car with less than a mile left so I ran a little further to make up the distance.  The second I finished all I could think about was taking some salt and figuring out what to do for dinner.  I called Matt and, on my way to Jamba Juice, saw a Cold Stone and decided that was a better idea!  Thai Basil is next door so I was able to get dinner and dessert in one stop- even though the hunger hadn't set in yet, I knew it would soon.

It took a long time to fall asleep last night.  I donned my compression socks and winter running compression tights after my shower.  The tights were a good idea but I found it hard to sleep in them because of the tight elastic band on the stomach.  I ended up taking them off before I FINALLY fell asleep.  Maybe it was the adrenaline still coursing through my veins, or it could have been the dull ache in my legs that prevented me from falling asleep.  Either way, I completed it and broke my mental barrier.  During that last mile I remember asking myself, "Could I do 9.2 more miles on top of this?- Definitely.  Especially if I have spectators ringing cow bells and yelling encouragement. 

Emergen-C, Roggen Roundabout and 17-mi Run Preparation

I have been religiously taking Emergen-C (3x a day as directed on the box) and the lymph nodes soreness and sore throat has gone away!  Not sure if it was the extra vitamins or not but I'm grateful it didn't go into a full blown illness.

Matt and I are signing up for the Roggen Roundabout for Saturday- a 200K bike ride starting from Superior, CO and going out to Hudson, Keenesburg, Roggen, Platteville, and back to Superior.  It's a little of an overshot of our 100-mile bike ride for this weekend, but we don't want to go it alone without support.  The ride is one of RMCC's brevets.  It should be challenging but fun.  The other 100-milers seems to snake up into the mountains and I feel 100 miles is already enough of a challenge and preparation for Ironman Florida.

Tomorrow is my long 17-mi run!  I planned it this way so I can recover enough before our century bike ride.  Matt will likely be riding his bike next to me for support (and as a pack mule for my gels and water).  I've already mapped my route- it's a 6-mile loop I will do 3x.  The benefits of the route I chose are: 1) minimal elevation change 2) Never too far from the car- weather, etc. 3) Most of the run is on gravel trails 4) Very close to home! I can cut the last loop short by a mile by cutting out the left half of the figure-8.  Even if Matt doesn't accompany me, I can drop water bottles or keep extra stuff in the car for refueling.   This time I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!  I also downloaded Pandora on my phone for new music to listen to- really looking forward to that!

I've done long runs like this before, and I don't know why this year is any different.  I guess I'll just have to run with it and keep motivated. 

This bottom image is the shortcut on the last lap to make it 17 miles instead of 18.

Training Peak

I wrote this post a few days ago and never posted it...

We are down to the last month of training and the peak of our training program before the big taper.  I woke up a few mornings ago with a sore left lymph node- a sign of the beginnings of getting sick.  I have been drinking Emergen-C, water, and tea like crazy.  A new Emergen-C came out with Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint health- why not?

Matt and I completed a trainer ride this evening after the thunderstorms threatened our workout.  I remember now why I just ditch the workout on rainy days...the trainer is a mental marathon.  Minutes seem like hours.  Part of me wants to do more of these for the convenience, but the other part is screaming "NO WAY!".  Why is it that I can endure what my husband calls 'mind-numbing' laps in the pool for over an hour but yet I can't sit on my bike on the trainer for an hour?  I have the same problem with running, even outside.  I can't get my mind into running further than 6 miles.  I know my body can do it but my mind slows me down.  Anyone have a quick-fix for this or should I just read some motivational articles before I go out?