It was a pivotal day today in my marathon training program. First, it was my longest training run to date at 15 miles. Second, it was the last long run of the first half of my training plan. Third, since I’m at the halfway point, then my half marathon race is next weekend during my cut back week. So, it was a pretty awesome day, to say the least.
Unchartered distances
I ran in my typical weekend location which I’ve mentioned before has a slight incline most of the way out on this out and back path. However, I added an additional half a mile today to my half way distance. It turns out that in that extra half mile there is a sudden and steeper incline that I was not anticipating at the halfway mark. Personally, I’m calling it a hill. You can see it in the elevation chart in this post.
It’s not as steep as the hill near my house that I run half mile hill repeats on, but it was distinctly steeper than the rest of this rolling path. I made it up the hill and was so happy to be able to turn around and run back down it as I started back.
Even with the rolling terrain, hills and extended distance I was able to keep my pace steady and heart rate in my aerobic zone for most of the run. Cadence averaged out to 179.
The weather was perfect for this long run. I started at 7:30 A.M. and it was 51 degrees but mostly sunny. It got up to the low 60’s by the time I was done so it was perfect tank top and capri’s running weather by about the 6 mile point when I removed my pullover longsleeve shirt.
Fueling strategy
My fueling strategy seems to be working well. I started by increasing my hydration and electrolyte intake a couple of days before my run. Since Thanksgiving was two days before my long run I’d been eating plenty of carbs (and everything else), so I went into the run heavily carb loaded.
During the run I took in a Huma gel at miles 4 and 7.5. At mile 10.5 I took a Maurten’s 100 gel. Then, at mile 13 I ate a Van’s original waffle. I saved the second Van’s waffle for when I was finished with the run and walking back to the car during my cool down.
When I got back to the car I drank a Skratch chocolate recovery drink and ate a Nelly’s peanut butter and chocolate protein bar. Yum! There were times during my run that I was dreaming of my return to the car just to have this snack.
Run reflections
I felt so accomplished to finish this run, especially with the unexpected hill and all of the elevation gain throughout the run. Following my run I used plenty of my recovery tools like foam rolling, compression socks, legs up the wall and I also got a short nap.
My muscles definitely felt this run more than others so I added some percussion massage to my legs and feet in the evening. This run took a lot out of me and I had some residual foggyheadedness and fatigue, so I really focused on the 3 R’s; rehydrating, refueling and resting.
Workout
- 15 mile run at conversational pace