The Long Run

33.56 mi, 5:31:47, 9:53 avg

Long Play Ultra 33 1/3 mile race

I got lost a little bit but just by about a quarter mile, so 33.56 miles for me.  Weather was perfect, a little bit chilly at the start, it warmed up a little bit but there was a lot of good shade and sometimes a breeze.  I started out pretty steady and for the most part kept between a 9:00 and 10:00 pace, with a couple miles under 9:00, and unfortunately a few over 10:00, some by alot due to getting slightly lost at one point or fiddling too much with my fuel belt.  It was peaceful for most of the run, a good day to contemplate a lot of things, and taking stock of where I am in life and what is important.

At about mile 13, I almost got lost.  The course ultimately runs past a place called Silver Lake, but the course does not go directly there, so where the sign points to Silver Lake you are supposed to go the other way - the race director had marked the turn with flags but some (un)helpful individual had removed them.  But, I remembered this turn.

I almost tripped really bad at one point on a section of trail with nasty "vine-roots" - roots that are sticking up and laying on top of the dirt, sort of like vines but anchored.

Closing in on mile 26 I could see a car parked up ahead and thought I was getting close to where the trail comes out and crosses the road, but it wasn't the right road, it was a cul-de-sac and I noticed that there were no trail markings.  I stood there for a second and turned around and walked until I could see a woman coming toward me about to make a left turn and asked me if that was the right way.  I told her yes and thanked her for showing up and pointing the right way.

So, just after that is an aid station with about 7 miles left to go.  This is where the race begins and I was able to make up some time ut not quite enough to get under 5:30:00 like I was hoping for.

With about two miles left to go I saw a runner ahead wearing a bright orange top.  I would close in but then the runner would pull ahead not matter how much I sped up. I think she looked back a couple of times, so hopefully I was giving her a helpful push forward.

Splits: 9:34, 9:40, 9:25, 9:57, 9:33, 10:07, 9:42, 9:00, 10:00, 9:25, 8:54, 9:23, 9:05, 9:44, 10:43, 9:25, 9:49, 11:50, 10:13, 9:39, 9:34, 9:52, 9:42, 11:29, 10:42, 13:07, 11:33, 9:05, 9:53, 9:36, 9:23, 9:08, 8:46, 0.57@8:11

7.09 mi, 1:02:01, 8:45 avg

Run with the Striders, starting near Longleaf.  Mostly easy paced run, legs feeling pretty good after Sunday's 33 1/3 mile race.

7.3 mi, 1:06:24, 9:03 avg

Ran from my house, shortened t-shaped route along the golf course for just over 5 miles.  Came back home, woke the kids, walked Sammy and Stella, then ran Stella little over 2 miles.  I was able to get her into a gallop a few times.

7.28 mi, 55:43, 7:39 avg

Ran at Longleaf with the Striders.  Started out with Joe and Daisy for first 2.7 miles up to the water stop.  But, no water today.  I had planned on a short tempo run and decided it was cool enough to be ok without water and also decided to just take the powerbar gel I was going to take even though there was no water.  Joe had run from home and said he'd do some of the tempo run with me.  I was hoping to try and get under 7:00 for each mile and was also ok if I didn't hit 7:00 the first mile because it's hard sometimes.  But, it went well and Joe stayed with me the full first mile for 6:48 pace, then he ran a little bit longer into the second mile and waved me off with a "have a nice run", then I hit the second mile in 6:45.  I was afraid I might not hold it but then hit the third mile at 6:41.  I'm usually good at the last mile and struggle with the second to last mile or one of the mid miles if doing a longer tempo (6-8 miles).  But, I kept on picking up the pace and then saw Bob B. and Claudia up ahead.   As I get near they picked it up (there were just getting to the last half mile of their tempo run), then as I got closer they stopped - having just finished their fast miles and I kept on going and finished mine in 6:19.

Tempo splits: 6:48, 6:45, 6:41, 6:19

I have been filled with extra adrenaline this week, there has been some good excitement and keeping my fingers crossed that the pieces keep fitting together.

Stopped by Havana Dreamers (usually skip this on kid week) to talk to Keith a little bit - he is a wise friend with experience and knows me well.

6.72 mi, 58:26, 8:42 avg

Ran with Joe in the neighborhood.  He came by my house and we did one neighborhood loop (1.7 mi) and stopped by the house so I could make sure Andy was awake so he could go in early to school (sort of, actually for senior water wars).  When I stopped back at the house, leashed up Stella and took her with us.  She ran pretty well with us as long as she was out front otherwise we would have tripping hazards from the leash.  So, nice 5 miles for her.

I talked to Joe about some of my upcoming plans.

7.7 mi, 1:15:19, 9:47 avg.

Took Stella to Starkey Park and ran the off road trails with her.  Nice morning, cool but not cold.  First mile I had to stop a couple of times but didn't stop my watch so it was like a 13 minute mile.  We ran out on the orange trail to the power line dirt road, turned onto that and then right onto paved bike trail just far enough to get to the water hut.  Turned back and then went a little bit north on the power line road before turning around and heading back the way we came.

Mile 6 she really wanted to speed up and even though there was a good stretch of slight uphill sugary sand we ran about an 8:20 for that mile.

This was her longest run ever and there was absolutely no sign of her getting tired.