The Nitty Gritty Details of My 18 Mile Run and the Rest of My Latest Workouts

I was really nervous about my 16 mile long run last week.  I was worried that I wouldn't be able to run the whole way and that it would hurt really bad.  Well I ended up running 18 miles and it did hurt pretty bad.  But, this run was a confidence booster and I want to share all of the wonderful (and unpleasant) details with my readers.

My Latest Workouts

Wednesday 10/15- I ran 18 miles.  I used a vacation day because my parents were heading into town later on that afternoon.  I dropped my kids off at daycare and I headed out to run. I didn't have an exact route picked out, and  I wore a brand new long sleeve shirt.

I loved the kangaroo pocket in the front.

I regretted wearing long sleeves about 5 miles into the run.  It got warm really fast.  I also forgot to wear any body glide and I chaffed up so bad!!  Between the sweat and the long seam running down the back of the shirt it made for a really painful shower after my run.

I made a point of not stopping my watch whatsoever.  I got pretty lucky and I hit most of the green lights during my run.  I didn't even stop my watch when I ran into convince stores to buy water.  At mile 10 (?) I got a phone call and I started fumbling around with my phone and without thinking about it I stopped my watch.  I quickly remembered and stopped messing with my phone and I started my watch again. I also ran the first 11 miles without music.  Here's the Garmin data

Even though the Las Vegas Strip is pancake flat,
the rest of the valley is either on an incline or a decline.

I started my run by going four miles up hill, then some gradual downhill,  I was hoping to finish the last four or five miles at Tempo pace.  With the downhill I was able to pick up the pace, but at mile 14 I had to run three miles back up the hill to the starting point and they kicked my ass.  It was definitely mental because I ran  miles 13-17  all on the same street, and from mile 13 I could see the big ass hill that I had to climb starting at mile 15.  I'm  happy that I didn't stop to walk up the hill.

For food, I ate some Gatorade energy gel chews between miles 4-5, at mile 12 I had a Heed orange energy gel.  This flavor was gross, it didn't really taste like orange at all.  But, my stomach handled it fine and that's a good thing.  I think I could have eaten another gel during the last part of the run.

The last mile was down hill and I was feeling pretty loopy by then,  I crossed the street without paying attention and I almost got nailed by a car.  Pretty idiot thinking on my part...  For my upcoming 20 miler I'm going to chose a route that is a little bit more isolated.  I chose to do this run during the morning commute and it finished around 10:45am.  I ran on very busy streets and it's not a wise thing to do if you can't pay attention to the road. I'm grateful another driver honked their horn at me and got me to notice the car headed in my direction.

I've ripped on distracted drivers before, but in this case I was a distracted runner and that makes me feel shitty.  I promise to be more careful when I am out on the roads.



Thursday 10/16  REST- I took my kids to the pumpkin patch

Friday 10/17  I ran almost 5 miles at recovery pace around my neighborhood.  (4.87 miles @ 9:12 pace)  My legs felt tired. This run felt like a chore.

Saturday 10/18   I ran a little over 7 miles.  My legs felt a little better, At this point I feel like I am just logging the miles in.  I would like to run faster tempo paces but, my legs are also getting used to running longer distances.   The second half I tried to pick it up the last two miles.  I also ate a Heed vanilla energy gel halfway through the run.  I really liked the flavor.  Here's the data.

Sunday 10/19 REST

Monday 10/20  Two a day's.  I didn't have time to run 5 miles before work.  I ran just under three before work (2.89 miles @ 8:42 pace) and then just a little over three (3.18 miles @ 8:55 pace) on my lunch break.  On my lunch break I went to Cornerstone park for the change of scenery.  The park has a few different jogging paths.

How can you be in a bad mood after running around this?

 I usually stay on the outer paved loop but, today I ran on the inner loop which has  a dirt trail.  The trail felt nice under my feet.  It was also a nice toasty 80 degrees.

Tuesday 10/21-  I ran 6 miles and I took it easy during the first half which had a gradual uphill climb, and then for the last two miles were downhill with a tailwind. I ran those at tempo pace.  It had been awhile since I had seen 7:30 pace show up on my Garmin.  Here's the data

Today I accidentally left my Garmin at home.  I plan on running six miles on my lunch break, tomorrow will be a rest day, and, then I have 20 miles on the calendar for Friday.  Bring on the carbs!!!  Then it's time to taper and freak out.  

Thanks for reading.