Month: August 2021

Another “long run Sunday.” Fortunately the weather was nice. Temps in the high 60’s, mostly cloudy and no rain. This is the third Sunday in a row that I’ve run at least 24 miles.

Today’s run was a 26.16 mile mix of rolling hills and flat stretches. Pace was 10:13, which is about what Alaska was. Weight was 145.8.

Today’s run was a 10.6 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:50. Weight was 147.2.

The weather was good training weather but that’s about it. At 4AM the feel-like temperature was 82 degrees. No wind and 110% humidity (or at least it felt like that). It was like running in a steam bath. I told myself all throughout the run “these is good training conditions.” Had to, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have even started.

Today’s run was a 12.5 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:31, and the heat and humidity made it feel like a royal struggle for that. Weight was 146.8.

Back to the grind. I’m not too sure how much of a post-race break is needed, so I figured a few days.

Today’s run was a 5.1 mile hills route in very warm conditions. Nothing like Alaska. Pace was 9:34. Weight was 146.4.

Today is race day. I felt surprisingly confident. No clue why. The weather was perfect: 49 degrees, mostly clear skies and not much wind at the 8AM race start time.

I ran the race at a cautious pace — nothing too crazy at all. I did not want to get to around 20 miles and feel like the tank was empty. I’ve never run 30+ miles before. I had a Clif bar at 5 miles, a SIS energy bar at about 12 miles. a SIS caffeine gel at about 19 miles and a regular SIS gel at about 24 miles. I also had my Camelbak with 20 ounces of SIS Beta Fuel plus about 20 ounces of SIS electrolyte.

Results: not a problem. Shockingly not a problem. Right at mile 30 there’s a hill. Ran up it with no issues. The joints were hurting a bit but that’s it. I crossed the finish line strong. The pace ended up being 10:15, which is about 15 seconds faster then the 24.4 mile training route I ran a week ago.

Bottom line is that I think I have the fueling plan worked out. Now it’s time to try to inch the pace up a bit faster.

Today’s run was a 10.6 mile rolling hills route. The last run before Sunday’s 49K race. Pace was 9:14. Weight was 146.8.

Today’s run was a 7.15 mile flat route. Pace was an easy 9:45. Weight was 146.4.

Today’s run was a 5.1 mile hills route. Pace was 9:39. Weight was 148.4.

Last “long run Sunday” before the Anchorage 49K ultra. I really wanted to get in something more than just 18 to 20 miles.

Today’s run was a combination of a 17.3 mile rolling hills/flat route and a 7.1 mile rather flat route. Total distance was about 24.4 miles. Pace was a very doable 10:29. Weight was 147.0.

Today’s run was a 13.1 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:41. Weight was 147.2.