20 miles: Pollen or something else?

Photo: From around mile 14.5 on map below

I ran 20 miles today (560 calories, 2 endurolytes, 2.5 liters of water). I stuck with the plan of running 20 if it was cooler and using the shorter run (not 30) to work a bit on speed. My average pace per mile was about 2 minutes faster than my last 30. It wasn't so much that I was fast today as that last 30 was slow.

I've had that feeling that sickness is coming. However, it might just be pollen. My wife told me its a very high pollen day. My wife and son are both effected about the same. I don't get it that bad but it could just be that. Either way, spending a bit less time on my speed seemed like a good idea.

5 mile free run

I did the Starbucks and back free run this morning. It was warm and sunny. The run went fairly well. My pace was good and steady, about the pace I would want to have in a half-marathon race. I wasn't sure how it would go because my legs were a bit sore and stiff. However, they warmed up and felt good after about a half-mile.

Up next: two days of rest. Wednesday anywhere from 20-30. If it's sunny and warm I might push for a slow 30 to train in warm weather; if it's cooler and overcast, I might go for a faster 20 mile run to work on distance speed.

5 mile run

Photo: From around mile 4.1 on map below.

Today I ran 5 miles (about 0.8 liters of water, 0 calories). I felt fairly well considering I ran 30 yesterday. I may have done more mileage today but was wearing an old pair of shorts that keep sliding down. Five today was probably enough anyway. The run was to the library to drop of a book and then a quick loop into town and back.

Up next: 5 miles on Sunday.

30 miles: another 5000 calories burned.

Today I ran 30 miles. It wasn't easy as the heat returned with some humidity (82F, 54 humidity), I didn't sleep well, and it was 30 miles. This was my second 30. I started the last 30 with hat and gloves on just 13 days ago. It was a big shock to my system to have the weather switch so fast. I took in about 5 liters of water (w/3 endurolytes) and about 760 calories between gels and solid food.

I tried again to find what hills I could as the 40 miler is described as hilly. As you can see on the map above we don't have great hills in town. Miles 6 to 16 were on a bypass around the town that has a nice shoulder and rolling hills. The ending of the run was the same as the last. I ran loops around the local park. By mile 24 I didn't really want to think about where to go or my interaction with traffic. I hit the 30 mark about a half mile from home and just walked back from there as a cool down.

Up next: Saturday- I'm not really sure, anywhere from 0-12 miles. Sunday- 5 miles

7.4 bad miles

Today I managed 7.4 miles. It was a bad run. I went to the dentist this morning and my mouth was still numb when I went running. I'm not sure that was the best idea (the run or the dentist); plus I had not eaten in a few hours. The rough plan was 12 miles but was not happening.

Up next: Friday I'm running 30.

5 mile free run

Today I did the 5 mile free run. I could not get out of first gear and had no running rhythm. I felt out of shape, of course I am in shape for a five mile run but just could not get it going today. My last mile did feel a bit better and I'm sure if I had run ten today, my last five would be have been much better.

12.8 miles

Today I ran 12.8 miles (1 liter of water, 180 calories). The main goal was to map a two mile loop close to home and a few bathrooms. I wanted to map a local run for days when it rains really hard and I can't take my iphone but really want to know the distance. I found a good two mile loop (see mile 6 and 8 are about on top of each other on the map). It takes about a mile to get to this loop and so I can string getting there and back and many loops together to make a long run.

Up next: Saturday's run is canceled. I forgot I have an all day event I need to attend. I may run a bit longer on Sunday (7.5 vs 5) but maybe not. So this really will be a down mileage week as I planned at the start of it.