The Road to Ultra

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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Catching up with Clif

Today's Run: 12.1
Run Time: 2:19:35
Total Miles to Date: 308.5

Thoughts on the Run:

I had a very busy week. While I'd love to say that I couldn't run because I was too engaged in my projects, I would be lying. There were a few opportunities to get out and hit the pavement, but I kept talking myself out of them because they all involved running in the dark and running in the cold. The dark I don't mind so much, but I really don't enjoy the cold. I'm getting better at it and know I need to get used to it, but it will be much more pleasurable once I get the right gear and gear just hasn't been a priority.

Anyway, I knew when the weekend rolled around and the temperatures "soared" to the 50s that it was time. What would I be able to do? The scheduled run was 12 miles. Perhaps I could do more. I really wasn't sure.

I sat down and sorted through my priorities. I CAN do those early morning runs ... the short 4 - 5 milers are perfect for the treadmill. The long runs? I've got to make the time and suck it up and get out there.

The one advantage to going a full week without any running was that I started this run without any pain or soreness. It seemed in the weeks prior, I was always dealing with sore quads or a stiff ITB and it was nice to hit the pavement and not feel anything sore at all.

I wish I could share the meals I had this week with you, but again, in that department I finally threw my hands up because it was so touch-and-go with everything going on that I stopped tracking them. It's not that I ate unhealthy, aside from a couple splurges here and there, I just was too busy doing other things to take the time to track it.

So, I laced up my shoes, filled my water bottles with Succeed! amino and packed an S-Cap. I wasn't sure if I'd need the sodium but figured it wouldn't hurt just to be safe.

I started out at a nice steady pace (10-minute mile) and halfway through the neighborhood loop. The second mile takes me out of the neighborhood and onto a main street, that was done in 10:10. There, I stopped to drink 8oz of Amino and then entered the next neighborhood - 10:57. I looped out and into a third neighborhood for 10:34. The next mile is perhaps my favorite - a nice, long downhill that ends abruptly with a sharp uphill near the end, that was negotiated in 11:50. 11:14 minutes had me out on the main street and then turning back for the straight shot back to my house. It was 12:26 to go up the long hill I call "Goliath" and then 10:05 for the downhill to my doorstep.

Eight miles under my belt. I could feel that I was "running out of steam." My gut didn't hurt but my legs were a little sore and starting to feel like dead weights. I refilled a water bottle and on a whim, grabbed a Clif Bar and ate that, too. I haven't been taking any solid foods during runs so I thought I'd try it out. It tasted delicious. With the bottle refilled and the Clif Bar down, I stepped back outside. It felt strange to be contemplating another loop after having run for an hour and a half, but I was only "just getting started."

I hit the first mile and felt some excitement. Maybe I would actually do the full 8-mile loop again and push 16 miles! Why not, I thought. The mile was done in 11:36. The next mile was 12:36. I started to slow down. This is when I started feeling it. The uphills were suddenly draining me and I had to stop and walk them. My legs weren't running, they were more stumbling, and I was willing them to move with each step. I struggled through another mile at 13:47 and decided it wasn't time to push for the full 16, and that I would just make it to the scheduled 12 instead. I looped back and took a merciful downhill trot back to the house in 13:03.

I'm not sure what causes me to hit the wall but I find it is consistently at 10 - 12 miles. On flat ground I can push a lot further, the hills drain a lot. Maybe because I'm a "Clydesdale runner" at 210 pounds, I run out of fuel sooner. Maybe I need to change my fueling strategy - some people say, "Fuel less, teach your body to burn the fat." Others say, "Fuel more, you're crashing because you're not getting enough."

I'm going to consider the latter first and see about eating more on the run (Clif Bars, etc, I seemed to get a positive burst of energy when I had mine) and perhaps increasing the amount of powder I put in each drink. I may try the former as well but I'm not sure I believe that is the right direction to take.

Walking home, I was a little disappointed at the slowdown near the end, but then I had to laugh out loud. The truth is, I just finished 12 miles. Complain? No way, celebrate. I did and did it injury free.

I'm resetting my goals and as I mentioned being much more focused on getting my runs in during the week. A single long run on the weekend is better than nothing, but doesn't cut it.

I'm also excited because I ordered two new supplements to add to my regimen. I already take what I believe is the best multivitamin on the market. I am now adding pharmaceutical grade fish oil (because I haven't been consistent with taking flaxseed, it's easier for me to add a pill than to remember to take the oil) and a glucosamine supplement. I look forward to seeing what impact that may have on my joints and recovery.

That night my wife and I had a lovely date. We went to an Italian restaurant, had a glass of Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon and started with garlic rolls and an antipasto dish. Then we shared a "Tour of Italy" (lasagna, linguine, and chicken parmesan). We finished with a slice of Cannoli Cheesecake. It was delicious!

Looking forward to posting more frequently this week,

Jeremy Likness

posted by Jeremy Likness | 4:21 PM

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