12 miles/2:15:33

I knew this was going to be a hard run, and I was not disappointed...

First of all, I hadn't run much in the two weeks since the ten miler because my knee had been so sore. It was on the mend before this run, and I'd been doing the cycling to keep my aerobic performance in shape, but I was still pretty concerned.

Secondly, it was going to be a hot day. It had been hot in Portland all week, and Saturday was no different in that respect. The later-than-planned start time meant we were running in rapidly increasing temperatures also.

I arrived at OSF in time for a bit of a warm up and a good stretch. My knee was behaving itself, and I was feeling good (if beginning to get a touch warm even at 7:40). The first few miles went fine, and in fact I was really enjoying the early running - up to about mile four I was in pretty good shape.

Things started to get tougher after that, partly because the route gave us much less shade. We were running into the sun, and trundling along the Springwater Trail with the hot sun beating down on you is hard work. It also transpired that the water we'd been told would be at the turnaround point was not; this was of less concern for me than it should have been because I was not actually drinking enough anyway (I thought I was, but even at the end of the run I still had fluid left in my pack).

I started to really struggle over the last three miles. I was able to run less and less, and although I was still drinking fluids I think the damage had already been done by my not taking in enough early on and I was (as I have put it before) dying on my arse. I'm sure that the gel shots helped, but not enough... I wasn't even doing 4+1s at the end; I was just running a bit and walking a bit to make it to the end. I did actually push myself a good deal harder than I have done in the past, and in fact I died a mile later than I did on the ten miler two weeks ago, which I really am quiet pleased about.

So, my average pace over the whole route was a little less than 11:13 per mile overall, although I did the first six miles in 1:02:39 (10:27 per mile). So, not quick. I'm very glad I finished, though, and it was a great exercise in mental toughness to get to the end rather than collapsing in a heap by the side of the road.

Things learnt:

1. drink! I am just not taking in enough fluids during the run; my hands are swelling towards the end, which is a classic sign of dehydration, and I am, of course, dying.

2. eat better - I've given up on the eggs before a run, because the protein apparently takes water to digest, which I can ill afford. The waffles I've been eating instead have been better, but something more long chain will be better still. Think about that.

3. try wearing a hat - I think I overheated a bit out there in the sun, and even though I was wearing sunglasses which cut down hugely on glare, it would have been much better if I had worn a hat as well. But... I've never worn a hat before while running! It will take some adjustment...

I'm just very pleased to have finished the run, and to feel like I can do Helvetia in a couple of weeks. Glad to be running again.

Posted by Dunx at June 7, 2003 12:06 PM