Can’t even eat it…
With my VTP (Virtual Training Partner) @JessyR1978 hitting 17 miles last weekend, training is ramping up for Chicago. Now I’ve completed over 13 miles with minimal issues, but I need to start logging the miles and in my brain today was the day. I set out on an absolutely spectacular morning with the goal of matching that 17 and maybe pushing the total up a little. Attention Chicago Marathon Organizers, I would like to order today’s weather for October…
Post dinner Gelato…
Everything started off pretty well (I thought). I didn’t have breakfast (gasp), but I had a good base from last night’s dinner and I had a Gel before I even set off. The plan was Gel at 0Km, 7Km, 14Km and then Chomps (gummies) at the 20Km mark. I had lots of water (Camelbak HAWG) so I was set. I even had a route set that would put the majority of the big hills prior to the 15Km point. There would be a climb at the end, but that’s the lay of the land…
The first 10Km went really well and aside from some stiffness in my hips I was pretty stoked. The climb to the 15Km mark was tough (an uphill) and my legs decided to start complaining too. It didn’t matter what running style I was using, I couldn’t find a tempo that was pain free or smooth. Still I wasn’t tired, but my legs were starting to ache. I did discover that there were a couple of Gels that I have outgrown or will never get again, mainly Hammer Peanut Butter or GU Salted Watermelon (never again!).
With the 20Km approaching and thankfully downhill, I was still ok. I was having an increase in the dead leg feeling, but I was having lots of water and fueling on schedule. As I rolled through Half Marathon distance I realized I was in trouble (and still 5Km from home). I had to stop and take a second to try and recover and then started to feel a rumble in my stomach. I stopped at a Tim Horton’s for a plain bagel but I wasn’t producing enough saliva to eat it. Roh Roh (in Scooby’s voice). Ok, one more push, get what you can and then end the run.
I ended up stopping just short of 15 miles (23.15Km) in 3h03m58s with an average pace of 7m57s/Km (it was at 7m40s before I came unglued). It was a long walk up a stupidly big hill. Now I could feel that I wasn’t right so I grabbed a Recovery, some cheese, the rest of the bagel and headed to soak in the tub. 20 minutes later I was vomiting what can only be described as my last Gel, whatever water I had and the bagel. I thought ‘Pukie’ was only supposed to show up after CrossFit Workouts.
I was not well…
@savannahjessie stopped on the way home to pick me up some lunch and stayed with me while I lay moaning and trying to sleep off whatever the heck this was. Yes, she is a saint. Think ‘Man Cold’ from that commercial but with sore legs too. I feel like I’m bouncing back now though and getting ramped up for the Game of Thrones season finale tonight.
Beez
BTW, how is your Challenge going? Stick with the Stretching/Mobilizing as we come into this last week of August. Take the 5 minutes and take care of your body… I’m going to do that now…
