Scene of the Crime

For those that recall the Fantasy Football Draft fueling fiasco from several weeks back, I'll be returning to the scene of the crime for the weekend and hanging with the same bunch of folks, plus some extras that I haven't seen in at least 20 years.  As much of a gastrointestinal assault as that weekend was, this weekend promises to step it up a notch, since the distraction of Football won't be standing in the way of drinking/eating.  As luck would have it, this weekend also marks the longest run of my training, 23 miles.  Despite the success I had on Draft weekend with running after throwing a grenade on my liver, that was only 6 miles.  This time it's a different story.

I've switched up my weekend and plan to run the long run early Saturday morning, then mainline some ibuprofen and Accelerade while chilling my parts in an ice bath, then head straight to the debauchery.  Should make for a hell of a weekend, but on and off the running trails.

For those about to race this weekend .... I salute you.

How Long A Long Is Too Long?

Long run that is.  I know where you were heading.

This Sunday will be one month until marathon #2, and also marks the longest of my long runs for this training plan, 23 miles.  I’ve done a 20 and a 21 as part of this plan, so I’m not worried about being able to get it done.  I am wondering, however, if 23 miles is too many miles for a training run.  The aftermath of 20 and 21 wasn’t terrible, but after the 26 for marathon 1, I ended up in PT for ITBand issues.  My IT Band has held up pretty well, and my Plantar Fasciitis seems manageable right now.  I like the idea of 23 miles as a better way to get my body ready for the race-day reality.  However, I’ve read several articles questioning the marginal return of training miles beyond 20.

I know I’ll get out there and go for 23 regardless of any doubts, since I refuse to stray too far from the training plan that so far has served me well.  Mostly wondering if anyone has any practical and/or scientific insight into the point at which the return on the miles doesn’t necessarily justify the abuse on the body.  One bonus is that I’ll be out-of-town for this run, so some new scenery will break up some of the monotony around my usual long-run course.  For those of you in the Northern Virginia area, I’m tentatively planning 5 laps around Burke Lake, which should put me just over 23 miles.  I’d be open to other suggestions if anyone has any.

Decided the best way to break out of my running mini-funk last week was to throw in a tempo run targeting 7-ish minute miles for 4 miles.  Was able to hit the pace goal, and break the funk:

Tempo runs have probably been the best discovery for me during this training cycle.  I’ve really enjoyed the couple time I’ve been able to do track work as well, but don’t care for having to feel like I’m breaking into Fort Knox just to be able to use the local tracks.  Abundantly frustrating to have to jump the fences that my tax dollars built to trespass on a track that my tax dollars built at the school my son attends that my tax dollars (and my straight-out-of-the-wallet dollars) support.

BlackJack

21 the hard way.  21 miles that is.   21.11 to be precise, and surprisingly it wasn’t nearly as hard as expected.

After my week of traveling and eating like a goat, I didn’t have high hopes for yesterday’s long run.  It actually turned out to be a solid outing with little in the way of drama.  Hydration worked out well, gels/food were timed right, weather was cooperative, no blisters or chafing.

Both of my feet starting getting sore around the 10-mile mark, and were moderately painful for the rest of the run, but that appears to be the Plantar Fasciitis reality I’ll be living in until after the marathon.  My right knee felt pretty good throughout, and is somewhat sore today, but nothing unbearable.

This gave me my first chance to try my new Ryders sunglasses on a long run, and I was VERY pleased.  I’ll be putting together a review in the near future.  Tried an Orange flavored Hammer Gel for the first….and last time.  Not a fan.  When I went to get the gels on Saturday I was browsing the chews selection, and having never tried Clif Shot Blocks before I thought I’d give them a try.  Bought a pack of the Cola flavored and dug in at the 16-mile mark.  I think they can be best described as a small, squishy square of sadness.  I think my mouth cried a little when I tried to eat them.  Made it through 3 of the squares before my jaw refused to chew any more.  I wish to apologize to my Gu Chomps that have served me so well in the past.  Please take me back.