12 miles/2:02:52

Well, that's better.

This distance was a huge psychological barrier for me, because it was the farthest I ran last year. Well, I say ran... I ran about ten miles and then went into serious stumble mode. It was the last Portland Fit run I completed that season.

So, I was nervous going into the run. I was also thinking hard about making sure I drank enough - I decided to carry a spare one litre bottle with just Gatorade powder in it to fill up when I needed more water (and I had a dream last night about how this didn't work...).

The conditions this morning were perfect - damp but not soaking, cool but not cold (in contrast to the high heat for last year's twelve). And the run went pretty well, too - I went out a touch too fast, and had to take a short walk break at 11 miles or so, but otherwise finished in fine style.

But I did not think hard enough about drinking enough - I filled my extra litre bottle at the halfway point, but didn't break into it at all: I drained my first litre at the finish, which meant I drank almost exactly half as much as I should have! I had a couple of gel shots which helped, but I think that if I had drunk enough I probably would not have needed the walk break.

The aftermath was surprisingly mellow. I was tired (still am... off to bed very soon) and my muscles needed some serious stretching, but I was energised enough afterwards to contribute to the ongoing downstairs project with some sanding and filling. There was none of the absolutely crushing exhaustion I remember from last year.

From being a big barrier, this run has turned into an enormous boost for me. I feel vastly more confident about the Helvetia Half Marathon in two weeks, and I am much more positive about making it through to the marathon itself in October.

Very positive.

Posted by Dunx at June 5, 2004 09:14 PM