Going Long

This week was the biggest week I’ve ever had running…ever. To think it’s just the beginning is a little daunting, but as I’m writing this post, I feel fine, nothing is really too sore, no chafing, blisters or anything else of the sort – so I’m pretty proud of myself.

I ran 84 miles this week. For those on the metric system that’s 134 km. That’s a lot of running, and most of it (57 miles to be exact) was over a three day period Friday-Sunday, when I ran 17, 20 and 20 miles. The purpose was to start simulating the race mileage – and the first three days of the Sahara race cover that mileage, more or less (plus the heat, more weight and a lot of sand, but that’s just details )

My Friday run was in Rancho San Antonio Park, and I wrote a separate post on that run.
On Saturday I decided to run a flat run, and went for a long run along the baylands. Running on a flat surface with no weight suddenly felt easy, and I covered the 20 miles in 2:45 hours, without feeling too tired or beat up.

On Sunday I wanted a change of scenery from my usual runs, so I decided to run a long loop around Portola Valley. I started at the edge of Stanford campus, ran to the dish and looped it once, came back out and ran to Arastradero, across to Portola Valley until I reached Sand Hill, and then back to Stanford. The course turned out to be exactly 20 miles, which was nice, with rolling terrain and surprisingly not as much pavement running as I thought there would be. Most of the roads had a little trail running along side them that allowed me to give my feet a break from the pounding.

After 2:40 of running on Sunday, I reached the end of the run and my week, and was pretty pleased. I ran the last few miles at a 7 min/mile pace, and I felt strong and confident. What I lack at this point is a stronger eating and drinking regimen. In the Sahara, I’ll be drinking a lot more during the day, and probably eating more too, so I have to get used to that sooner rather than later.

This week will be a rest and cross-training week. I’ll run 1-2 times, swim and bike a little, before picking it up again next week (I need a 6 hour run at the beginning of January). I’ll also be adding another 3-5 pounds in my pack next week, so that will probably have an effect as well.

Happy holidays, Chanuka or Christmas, whatever your fancy is,
Cheers,
E

My Portola loop: