Long Training Run Number Four: 13.3 Miles

Weather Report: Sunny and 65 degrees

Thirteen Miles was on the agenda for today and I ran the same local route where I first experienced my problem with ITBS.  I remember running this route and then all of a sudden I had such a horrible pain on the side of my left knee and I just could not run!  I had to walk/hop/hobble a grueling three miles to get  home.  Since then, I never ran that route again because I did not want to be reminded of that horrible day that changed my ability to run for quite some time. I decided to start today's run much earlier because the warm weather has been killing me lately even though it has only been about 10 degrees warmer! I guess I am just used to running in temperatures of 60 degrees or cooler.  I woke up at 5:30am and was out the door by 5:55am, since I knew this was going to be at least a two hour run.  I had a few new running items to try out today so I was kind of excited to run.

My old running belt was a one size fits all and I don't think that I ever really got it to fit me quite right.  My new one fits so much better and it Velcro's in the back instead of the side. I also purchased a small container, that attaches to my running belt, to carry my GU in. My idea behind this container was to be able to cut the GU packets open ahead of time and not have to waste time struggling to get them open.

I also experimented with Trislide for the first time.  I usually use Body Glide or just plain vaseline on my feet and they have always done the trick for me.  Many people swear by Trislide so I bought a can to try ($17.00). I wasn't incredibly impressed with it but I didn't get any blisters! It is much more sanitary than Body Glide but I would rather save some money and spend it on a race!

I owned the road today!  There were hardly any cars on the street and I was loving it!  I decided that I would start out as strong as I could today and then just slow it down in the end and try to maintain a pace of at least 9:00.  By Mile 2.5 the sun was shining brightly but the temperature was still tolerable. I made sure that I drank plenty of water and I dropped an extra bottle of water off at Mile 5.  On this particular route, I pass the same spot twice so I dropped the water off at Mile 2.

Mile 1: 8:27

Mile 2: 8:05

Mile 3: 8:08

5K: 25:20

By the time I had reached Mile 5, I had almost finished one of my water bottles so I stopped to GU and refill my water bottle with the spare that I had dropped.  It was so convenient to have my GU all ready to use and have a place to put the empty packet. This idea worked out really well for me! To be honest with you, I usually throw the empty GU packet on the ground if there is no trash can in sight! 

Mile 4: 8:01

Mile 5: 8:18

Mile 6: 8:19

10K: 50:08

Miles 5 to 7 were uphill so the GU break came just in time!  I was about a half mile up the hill when I noticed that I was missing one of my water bottles, so I had to turn around and look for it.  This added about a 1/4 mile to my run but those bottles are not cheap so I had to go back and find it!

Found it!

I finally reached the top of the hill, which is Foothill Blvd, at Mile 7.5 and the rest of the route is pretty flat and manageable. I usually feel a sigh of relief when I reach this point, but I had amazing energy today and I wasn't even pushing myself that hard.  I'm not sure if it was the GU, the hydrating, or the spinach I had for dinner the night before???  Whatever it was, I need to repeat it because I don't normally feel this energized at 6am on a Sunday morning!

Mile 7: 8:06

Mile 8: 8:13

Mile 9: 8:12

Miles 10 to 12 were downhill so I caught a break in the end.  I took another GU shot at Mile 10 and headed on home! I was pretty happy with my progress today. I would really love to beat my time at the Disneyland Half Marathon in September and achieve my goal of running a half marathon in under 1:50!  I could have earned that PR today if I had been running a race, but you never know what kind of day you are going to have......

Mile 10: 8:06

Mile 11: 8:19

Mile 12: 8:05

Mile 13: 7:36

       Garmin Stats

I had another good week and managed to get all of my scheduled runs completed.  I have been slacking on going to spin class, but I try to make it up by doing my stability ball workout at home.

I am hoping to have my running partner back with me next week.  I think shin splints are contagious because she is now experiencing them right as mine are starting to get better. She has been taking good care of herself and bought new shoes so I know she will be making a come back real soon!

Obtained from www.cartoonstock.com