20 miles

[marathoner452]

20 miles this morning starting at 8:30 at mile 0 on the NCR Trail.

Gels at miles 4, 8, 12, 16. Gel at 16 was caffeinated, hence I ran 9:16, 9:18, 9:06 for the last 3 miles for a final run time of 3:19:41/9:59 pace. I have never, so far as I can remember, run that far that fast without being in a race. I never felt tired, and I actually could have run farther. Definitely bodes well for race day.

Celebrated afterwards with blueberry pancakes and orange juice at Bagel Works and coconut custard from Snickerdoodles where my sister works.

Marathon is 11/25. Goal is under 4 hours/9:09 pace. 5k next weekend, 21 miles the weekend after that, then taper…just 5 weeks to go!

See more progress on: run another marathon

Comments

[cookiesr1.livejournal.com]

That's cool...I skipped my long run this morning since I didn't do much this past week, but went out for about 4...I feel like I"m getting faster or something too. What kind of gels do you use? I haven't really tried them yet and not sure what I'm going to use for my marathon...

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I'll bet you are getting faster. I'll bet you're going to amaze yourself in your next race...by the way, have you decided whether you're doing the marathon or the half-marathon yet?

I'll use any kind of gels available. I like the vanilla, berry, and lemon-lime ones better than chocolate and tangerine, but that's just a personal flavor preference. In my experience, the different kinds of gels work about the same, but I'd try them out before race day in case one kind or another doesn't sit well with you. I'd be wary of using too many of the caffienated ones because caffiene is a diuretic and you might have to go to the bathroom/get dehydrated, but they're great for the end of a long run when you're running low on energy.

I think if nothing else, the gels keep you from running too low on carbs, and since your brain runs on carbs it's harder to stay mentally focused when your brain's running on the edge of glycogen depletion. I get up early before a long run to get a full breakfast too so I'm sure to have enough energy.

You ask me a question, you get an essay. :-)

~Bethany

[cookiesr1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like those sport beans too, do those work the same way pretty much? I'm signed up for the marathon so I'm going for that...

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I just bought a few bags at the Baltimore Marathon expo, so I'll give them a try on my next long run and let you know what I think. They probably taste better than gels, but they look like they're not quite as easy to open.

~Bethany