When I was ready to go out for my run, I decided to give my Saucony trainers one last shot at a longer distance. I had been put off attempting a long distance in them, something gave me the impression they wouldn't be good, but because today was to be done on an 8:4 run/walk, I felt I could afford to chance it.
I wore thermal tights and top and chose a cap instead of a hat. I quickly regretted that as the pain in my ears from the cold was terrible. I carried a weighed out measure of 1 litre of water in my Camelbak (being careful not to overdo it on the extra weight). I chose a route I find difficult... out and back along Castle Eden road. It's very undualting (in some places there are a couple of quite sharp hills), but it's the perfect route when it comes to testing out how you're feeling because the run home is so much easier and you can cope with most situations fine because it's mostly downhill or slow declines with only 3 sharp hills to conquer. I decided to attempt 2 hours (which I was due to do) with the proviso that I turn before the hour if all wasn't feeling good. I also took my phone in case I needed to bail and ring for a lift. After all, the last time I did this route it was my last LSR before I ended up being injured which benched me for the 8 or so months. Psychologically, it was a good route today to chose too, to put a few demons behind me!
The first 8 minutes was straight into a big hill which goes on for half a mile and is very steep. I coped quite well and was on the downhill when my 4 minute walk break came. At 17 minutes I was gasping for air and I couldn't breathe. The wind and cold had really got to my chest so I took my inhaler. I tried to run through while taking it but after about 5 seconds realised this wasn't going to do me any favours and I walked. I didn't have to walk for long though and within 30 seconds the inhaler had done it's job and I was feeling great again. Another downhill and it was a walkbreak and then the very steepest part of the route I had to run... typical. I did manage to recover on the flat afterwards before the next walkbreak was due so it was all good.
I mostly felt pretty good, but I felt a bit sick for the first 45 minutes or so. Needless to say, that put the idea of almond butter sandwiches as fuel on the back burner!!! I had no signs of any injuries, no niggles and my breathing was OK, but my legs were pretty tired from the outset. I was also absolutely freezing and I wished I had wore more clothes. I think going to the spa so often is probably getting me more accustomed to feeling the cold more, which, in the long run, will be good ready for Cayman.
At close to the turnaround point I became aware that my toes were hurting on my left foot. Blisters were definitely forming, so I ran through the long grass so they would get wet. I know most people suffer terrible blisters when their feet get wet but it is a huge relief for me. I remember Florence marathon when everyones' toenails were black the next day and people were covered in ugly blisters... my feet were probably the best they have ever felt after such a distance.
Wetting my trainer (and in turn, my sock and foot) brought instant relief and I was able to continue on my way. The turn back felt great as I was running down a gentle slope, very comfortable at about 9.05mm pace. My legs were really really achy and tired after about 6 minutes and it made me think about how differently I approach things now, after having done the ultra in Bangalore. I would normally have a walk break when my legs were really aching, but after being in the agony I was and keeping moving forward in India, today I would have felt like a right wuss if I'd walked... so I didn't. :-)
The rest of the run back went fairly well, I had to use water from my Camelbak to soak my left foot a number of times, but it turned out to be the right thing to do because when I got home my foot was fine. Unfortunately I hadn't been aware of anything untoward on my right foot so had not wet that one at all, but I got home to see a little blister on one of my toes. It's not bad though and has already burst, but my inclination for not wearing the Saucony shoes for long distances has been confirmed!
So I got to 10.8 miles in the 2 hours, averaging an 11.07mm. I would normally be disappointed in this pace, but you can't really moan when it's your longest run for about 11 months and you've walked 1/3 of it, can you?
No comments:
Post a Comment