I joined Larry and Wayne for a 20 mile run along the canal road (ended up being closer to 19.5 miles). They are both planning on doing the Death Valley Marathon on Dec. 2. Although I would really like to, I probably won't run it. But there's a slim chance, so I thought I'd do the long run with them anyway. Kevin started a few miles before the turn around point and met us on our way back and joined us for the run back home. The weather was a little cold, but I never really got too cold or too warm. Since there is no water along the course, I decided to pack water. It was probably a good idea, especially to help get the gel down on the return trip, but I really don't like running with a water bottle around my waist. I averaged about 8:49/mi overall, running out at an average pace of 9:01/mi and back at 8:37/mi. At about mile 11 I took a longer than average bio break and then averaged 7:48/mi for 1.28 miles while I caught back up. The run out was very enjoyable. We covered some terrain none of us had ever seen before. The return trip was a better workout, but not quite as enjoyable for me. My legs were feeling a little tired even before I ran the 7:48 pace to catch back up. From about that point to the end I just tried to hang on behind the other three runners (who quickened the pace by about 20 sec/mi on the way back). The end of the run, and how tired I was after, felt far too much like the end of a marathon. | 