All's Well that Ends Well

Saturday was one of those days when I couldn't seem to get anything right. I got up and as I usually do, had my morning cup of coffee. I drank almost the entire cup while doing some reading, then realized it had been about an hour since I had gotten out of bed. And I hadn't had my oatmeal yet. Since I need to wait at least an hour after having my oatmeal before going on my long run, this oversight was pushing back my start time a bit. Oh, and not to mention that the only oatmeal in the house takes 15 minutes to cook. So I got my breakfast together, then started to get ready for my run.

The weather showed it was going to be a nice day, it was already in the 30's (F) and should be near 50 by the time I was done. I dressed appropriately, then filled my hydration pack as full as it would go - today was the day I was going to begin drinking slightly more on my long runs. This is because last week I learned I was slightly dehydrated after 18 miles of using my normal hydration routine (two sips every mile). I gathered together a variety of gear in my duffle bag so that I could adjust what I was wearing at the trail head if need be. Did a little stretching - mostly calves. I find my calves are about the only muscles I can get a good stretch on before warming up.

I got in my 4Runner and headed to the trail. I guess I was rehearsing my routine about the time I got on the freeway, because it was then that I realized I had forgotten my Clif Shot gels. I had one left from last week, but for a 20 mile run, I would usually carry at least 3. Even though I was already late getting started, I decided to circle back home and grab the gels. I didn't get to the trail head until a little after 9 AM, over an hour later than I was hoping. Although this had me a little agitated, I kept telling myself it was "okay". My concern was that I was eating in to my Saturday family time.

I put on my headband, gloves, jacket, hydration pack and headed off. I was very committed to running easy today so I kept my Garmin on the HR screen. Since the first 10 miles is mostly uphill, I knew it was going to be a challenge to keep my heart rate down. About the 1/2 mile point, I realized that although I had driven home to get my gels, I had forgotten to put them in my hydration pack. Should I turn back? I still had the one left from last week. I remembered that Greg McMillan advocates not eating any carbohydrates on your long run but wondered about the wisdom of trying that on the fly. I ultimately convinced myself that the consequences of under consuming carbs was not nearly as severe as poor hydration, so I just kept going.

I planned to eat the one gel some time after the turn around point, and at 8.5 miles I spotted the location that where I would get the gel out - that would make it 11.5 miles into the run. I really had no incidents other than the persistent urge to pee that came on around mile 4. I was generally oblivious to my pace, focusing just on heart rate. I ate the gel at 11.5 miles and kept fighting the urge to pee until giving in around 13.5 miles. After that I really felt pretty good through about 17 miles. At that point it was just mental work to keep myself moving. No real pains, just some aches from doing the same thing for about 3 hours. I finished and noted that my pace was about 30 seconds a mile slower than I typically do for a long run, but really, I felt okay.

So, All's well that ends well? Well even though the day got off to a rough start, it perhpas ended with what I have been waiting weeks for - a good experience on a long run. It was still mentally challenging at the end, but I was not totally exhausted, I wasn't a little disoriented, or any of the other unpleasantries I have had before. My legs were tired and a bit pummeled by the trail, but no baseball bats this week. Just the tiredness that comes from a solid workout.

And maybe I learned that I do quite well with less carbs that I thought. I may still carry 3 gels, but I think I will plan on consuming one near the half way mark without a firm plan to consume more unless it seems needed. Also, I did well on hydration but I think I will delay starting my 3 sip per mile routine until 3 or 4 miles to see if that helps with the pee issue.

So yes, I guess I would say All's Well that Ends Well. And I'm very thankful to have finally had a good experience on a long run. All it took was a little patience and some perseverance.