Long Run Chronicles 002
December 15 - December 21
Total Miles: 32.65
Total time: 9 hours and 10 minutes
Total elevation: 3,212+ feet
Long run: 18.63 miles (cooked)
17 weeks till Canyons 100k! Another successful week of upping the mileage and pushing my body. Ran 5 days this week. Did some strength training, mobility, and core. I didn’t get to do a full leg day. I’m trying to see how to build that into my new 4 days/week at the office schedule. A few weeks ago, I was able to hit speed and strength back to back. I fueled quite a bit before, and that initial speed session was easier than the succeeding weeks. I was pretty cooked after Wednesdays hill work and only managed to hit a few barbell squats after, instead of a full session like I wanted. I was pretty fatigued and didn’t want to push it.
Did an hour long run the day after, which is another win.
Saturday was the big one. I was pretty nervous all week leading up to it as the weather forecasted for lots of rain. I was ready for battle but only got hit with a tiny bit of mist. I ran with people the entire time (4.5 hours) which is just so unlike my usual solo efforts. I loved it, but was getting a bit fed up at the end and wanted to be alone instead of forcing conversation while I hit a wall.
I fueled this run with probably 60+ grams of carbs per hour with, Stinger energy chews, Carbs Fuel, Tailwind, and half a croissant. I am not sure who the culprit is, but the last 6 miles were ROUGH. I was already feeling pretty fatigued from the vertical effort, but then I started feeling pretty gassy. At first, it was mild flatulence. Then, it started to turn into “oh I need to actually go #2.” Running was actually uncomfortable and it felt like a fanny pack of literal shit sloshing around my stomach. It almost felt like cramps. It was preferable to actually walk uphill. I had:
- Honey Stinger Chews
- Carbs Fuel
- Tailwind
- half a croissant
I’m thinking the Chews were the culprit as it has the highest fructose. Also, I haven’t had issues with Carbs Fuel or Tailwind.
Anyways, the GI issues mixed with the fatigue turned into “please don’t make me talk.”
Another pain point: my back. My lower back seems to give out first on these big efforts. I’m thinking two core workouts is not cutting it. Going to try adding a third this week and see how it helps over the next month or so. It was the sorest part of my body the day after.
Overall, training is going well. Doubt crept into my mind during this last run. It was pretty brutal and I thought “how the well am I going to do this for another 40 miles?” The training is hard too. I’m only getting started, so it’s going to really test me.
During the run, I talked to a more experienced runner who said that the last two months of training consume your life entirely. It’s going to be a lot of miles. Big vertical. Lots of sleep. Lots of food.