Hydration + Nutrition = Great Success!!!

A few days later than I wanted, but it still counts:

It really happened!  The longest run of my life - to date - was a success.  With the proper eating/drinking strategy and a healthy pace, I was able to get it done!

Okay, so I learned a few things from my last 18+ mile attempt, and I applied them to this run.  If we recall from that time, I was dehydrated and hungry - completely zonked.  I attempted a few remedies, not knowing if they were going to backfire.  Since they didn't, I will now share them:

1. I drank no soda today - had a decent lunch (with tea).
2. Carbo/protein loaded 3 hours before my run.  (bag of beef jerky, granola bars and Gatorade).
3. (2) Energy Gels pre run - spread out by 15 minutes
4. Consumed (5) more on the run.  That really kept me going. 
5. Carried and consumed water - lots of it.  I refilled at least 3 times. 
6. I kept my heart rate in check - starting slow and working my way through.

It all made a big difference.  I started to get a little hungry around mile 18, but with the help of a gel, I bounced back.  My knee was also giving me some grief throughout the run.  This is nothing new, but it still makes me a little concerned.  I took one Naproxen before the run, and I popped another at mile 6.  I'm not sure if that made any difference, but after a short episode of pain at mile 15, it sort of got better.  That said, I could hardly get out of the car when I got home!  Running with a water bottle is tough, and I have to wonder if that affects my form to the point where it makes my knee twist.  Not sure, but I'm looking forward to aid stations.

On water bottles - I have to carry it in my left hand.  This is my "Ellie" side - she's always in my left arm.  Not sure what it is about that.  I'm right handed, but I have a hard time holding her, or my water bottle in the right hand.  I'm guessing there's a connection there... oh well.

This was a MUCH needed boost to the esteem level.  After the disappointing 18.5 from last week, I really needed this to get my confidence back.  The weather was again a factor - starting in the low 80's and ending in the low 70's.  As soon as the sun dipped, however (about mile 10), things started to get much nicer out.  I also took off my shirt around that time and really started to cool down.  I cooled down so much so, that I was basically able to hold the same pacing throughout the entire run - NO slow down!  

Matt ran with me for the first 11.5 miles.  His friend Jim ran the first 9 or so with us as well.  We did the first 6 miles at a fairly tame pace, which was much nicer than last week and probably went a long way towards helping me get warmed up and established.  Our next 2 miles was pretty fast - faster than I wanted.  However, we then moved towards a relaxed and recoverable pace for the next 3.5.  I ran alone from there - keeping a clip that was average to the whole run to that point.  Overall, I averaged about a 9:46 mile pace.  I felt like I had a lot more to give after the first half-marathon, and I have to believe that if the temps were in the 50's and 60's, I could do a lot more.  9:46 gives you a 4:15 marathon.  Surely, if the weather cooperates I can beat that - only time will tell.

Okay - it's late, and that's about it.  It was a confidence builder, and I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

D

Running Total:
May:  65.61
2012:  235.13