hot weather Archives - Run The Long Road Coaching

So the high today will only be 98 degrees. When I checked yesterday it said 102. 22 in 102 has a much better ring to it than 22 in 98. So my title is inaccurate but sounds good.

This morning I ran 22 miles. I prefer running in hot weather but today was a bit extreme even for me. I finished in 3:51 (10:30 average pace).

If I were training for a marathon, I would have considered this run an absolute train wreck with all the walking I did. But 50K training changes all that. I was on my feet for 3 hours and 51 minutes. Other than hot-as-hell Boston, I haven’t run that long in awhile which made today’s run the perfect 50K training run.

I gathered all my gear last night since I got up at the crack of dawn today.

Some things to note…a beach towel was 100% necessary. The little baggie next to my Shot Bloks is table salt. Today I experimented with potato chips and PB crackers as fuel.

Here’s how fueling went since I’m still trying to figure it all out.

Mile 4 –> 3 Shot Bloks
Mile 8 –> 3 Shot Bloks
Mile 10 –> potato chips. I wasn’t even hungry but forced these down. How can something so light and airy feel like complete lead in your stomach? I’m officially crossing potato chips off my list.
Mile 15 –> 3 Shot Bloks (thankfully, the potato chips were beginning to digest).
Miles 17-18.5 –> PB crackers. I think we have a winner here. They didn’t bother my stomach at all.

Add to this a massive amount of Nuun-infused water and salt every couple of miles. Add in the chocolate milk I drank immediately after my run and I consumed around 1000 calories. But I burned close to 2200…so I have some eating to do today!

I began the run/walk approach around Mile 10 (yes, it didn’t take long). I was able to run on a shady trail for miles 17 to 20 and when I reemerged into the sun I felt like a vampire.

It’s entirely possible that I could have weather like this the day of my 50K. I’m glad I toughed it out and I’m so glad it’s over.

Now it’s time to eat (again)…

Has the heat changed anyone’s running plans this weekend? Did anyone race?

7/21/11
8 miles easy / 1:17 / 9:37 avg pace

Time for some random thoughts!

Check out my post on the Lunch Break Blog (thanks Mike for letting me ramble about running on your blog!).
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous about the heat and tomorrow’s long run. Obviously this will be a LSD run and the perfect opportunity to test Operation Hydration! If I can refrain from entering “stage 2” dehydration on the hottest day of the year, I’ll consider it a success.
Blog search term that completely cracked me up this week: how did Kara Goucher get pregnant? Well…
This is more of a rant. I do my easy runs on a popular paved bike trail; usually early weekday mornings. Last week I had to do an easy 10-miler on Saturday and, even though I knew what I was in for, I was still annoyed. The trial was occupied by about 90% bikers (yes, I know they are called “cyclists” but I still say bikers) and 10% runners. The trial is roughly 6 feet wide. Know where I’m going with this? Groups of men (Lance wannabes) going way too fast, families of four going way too slow, and tons of unnecessary “on your left” calls. Since I generally don’t bust out figure 8s when running, why is it necessary to (often scream) “on your left” when I’m clearly hugging the right, running solo, and in a straight line? I understand and expect a verbal warning to be given under certain circumstances (say, approaching an intersection or a group of runners) but not all. the. time. And don’t even get me started on the bikers who use bells…

Do bikers bother you on a run?

Do you have any funny blog search terms to share?