The 16 Miler That Wasn't

Photo found at http://completerunning.com/archives/2007/02/27/photo-of-the-week-after-the-race/



My spirit was willing, at least until around mile 6, but my body was weak.

I rolled out of bed at 5:40 am to hit the road at 6. I was a little late getting started but not too bad. I felt good at the start and not so tired like I had felt getting up the previous 2 mornings. Still, by mile 2 my heart rate was already 158. I knew it was going to be tough going. At mile 3 I took my Clif Shot - knowing that I was going to need them more often today than my usual every 4 miles. At mile 4, I noticed my mile splits were coming in kind of high - over 12 min/mile. Still, I was geared up for a long run.

Around mile 5 I was getting the feeling that the run may be cut short, and by mile 6 I knew that it was likely to be only 8 miles. At mile 7 I was having a hard time just finishing up the run and ran it in for 8 miles.

8 miles out of a planned 16 mile run. Only half.

I unloaded the Camelbak and found some relief. I had cinched it pretty tight around my waist to keep it from shifting. I wondered if this had constricted me and thought briefly about heading back out for a bit more - but that did not change the fact that my stomach did not feel well, my legs felt like lead, and I felt just plain tired.

Was it the lack of sleep (got to bed a little late - around 11:30 pm)? Readjusting to a normal schedule after vacation (I was not back into a rhythm)? Trying a new gel (I tried a new one - Hammer Gel before I started - then switched to Clif Shots. I hated the taste of the Hammer Gel)?

Or was I just weak today?

My splits:

Mile 1: 10:48 (typical since I don't walk in the 1st mile)
Mile 2: 11:38 (my target pace)
Mile 3: 12:08 (a little slow but ok)
Mile 4: 12:34 (a bit too slow)
Mile 5: 12:01 (better)
Mile 6: 12:37 (getting tired)
Mile 7: 12:54 (taking a Clif shot)
Mile 8: 12:25 (done)

Today I was the bug (verses the windshield). There is always tomorrow.

We will give it another go next week.