I really wasn’t planning on going this far today, I like to do something around 8.0 and not too tough a course on Fridays. Instead I decided to go around the River Road, which turned out to be exactly 10.0 miles according to the GPS. I did some experimenting today to see how things would work.
1. Ran again with hydration pack, I do think that I run slower with it on, but it carries everything that I want to carry comfortably, so it is a trade-off that I think is worth it on longer training and definitely on trail runs.
2. Didn’t run in my compression Tommie Copper calf sleeves. They do make a difference, my legs are toast tonight and when I wear them, I really do not feel nearly this bad. Note to self – runs longer than 6.0 miles wear the compression sleeves. Disclaimer Tommie Copper provided these calve sleeves at no cost for a previous review of their product.
3. Didn’t bring any energy gels. They do make a difference on runs over 6.0 miles. I really started to bonk after the 1 hour mark as you can see by my time dipping so much after that point. The hills might have had something to do with it too.
I wanted to stay in the 9:00 minute range for the run tonight, however, I ended up being a lot closer to 10:00 minutes. When looking at the above chart, I can see why I was getting so freaking tired over the course of the last part of the run. I haven’t run hills like this for a long time and they got me pretty good at the end. The hill at the 1:10 mark just about killed me, but I didn’t walk at all during the run.
This is going to be a good course to check my fitness levels and hopefully next time I don’t have to run into a 20-25 mph headwind going up the Lyons Road (where I really started to drop my time.
THE GREAT NEWS this morning was that I cracked the 160 barrier and weighed in at 159. I haven’t weighed this little since before 1990, so it has been a long time. You know something I am pretty damn excited about this. I know that I will probably bounce back over 160 tomorrow, but I am definitely heading in the right direction and only have 4 more pounds to reach my first goal weight.
I know that I am definitely toast tonight and my body is done. The homemade Pepperoni, green pepper and garlic pizza tasted fantastic, along with the glass of Merlot that went down way too easily. No I am sitting with Bennie in my lap, having a cup of green tea and a chocolate chip whoppie pie. A great way to relax, now to turn on the TV and watch some more of March Madness 🙂
If I really wanted to work hard, I could get 40 miles this week – will have to think about it :-).
Harold's Blog 
Darn hills!!!! I like the hydration pack too because you have everything handy.
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I like my hydration bag too….everything I need fits in so well!!!! Who cares if it slows you down. It’s a training run! 🙂 And those darn hills…gets you everytime (and me!).
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The more I use it, the more I like it, getting closer to being in hill shape, next time I will have my compression socks on and have a gel or two for the run 🙂
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Your posts are quite interesting. A few questins if you don’t mind. How long have you been running and do you do these 10 /15 mile regularly?
I’ve only been running about a year or so but I do MMA training 4 times per week and play squash as well. I don’t think my body could put in that many runs.
Fnally…what the heck is ‘chocolate chip whoppie pie’ and where can I get some??!
Happy trails to you…
Doug
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Doug – thank you for your compliment. I have been running since 1972 – mostly as a recreational runner/not a racer, I had knee surgery last May and retired early last June to get my health back – which had deteriorated pretty significantly and we were worried about it a lot.
As you can see it has worked and I am in the best condition I have been in many years. I just started going over 10 miles a few weeks ago. I plan to try a half-marathon in June and see where I want go from there – I would really like to run Marine Corps in 2013, it would be 30 years after I finished it in 1983. I hurt myself playing racquetball, so I just run and work around the house being a gardener and lumberjack (we burn wood).
I go by how my body feels and change my schedule as necessary to ensure that I am ready/able to do a certain run.
A chocolate chip Whoopie Pie is the food of the gods. My wife makes a great large chocolate chip cookie and then whips up some vanilla frosting and puts it between two cookies – making a sweat/decadent cooking sandwich or a knock-off of a Whoopie Pie. 🙂
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You have very interesting posts. A couple of questions if you don’t mind. First – how long have you been running? and second – how regularly do you do the 10 / 15 mile runs? I’ve only been running a year or so but can’t seem to find the energy to run that regularly. However I do MMA training and play squash also.
Finally, What in the world is a chocolate chip whoppie pie, and where can I get some? Happy trails to youuuu…
Doug
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How awesome. I am a runner, bike and row. I was sidelined for a little while and now I am getting back to running like I am getting paid. Your post was encouraging to me. Keep it up. Nice post!
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