The Daily Log 12/14/08

Distance: 12.14 miles
Time: 1:53:52
Pace: 9:22/mile
Weight: 196lbs
Terrain: Rolling Hills throughout
Temperature: Cold and very windy
Gear: Long-Sleeved Adidas Climacool Running Shirt, Adidas Long Running Pants over Adidas running shorts, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes, Gobbler Grind Running Cap
Hydration: Water, Strawberry-Kiwi Vitamin Water
Fuel: None
Medical: Left calf
Recovery: Stretches, Aleve, ice
Shoe Mile Count: 193.00 miles
Days until Marathon: 35

When I took the dogs out after getting up, it was windy but mild. However, I knew cold weather was coming. Predictions were for the temperature to drop some 40 degrees during the latter part of the day, but I figured if I went for my run earlyish, while I'd still have the wind to deal with, at least I'd miss the cold front.

I was wrong.

By the time I went out, at around 11:30am, it was cold enough that I immediately went back in to put on my long training pants, and when I began by running straight into the wind, I knew I was still underdressed for the occasion. I kept going, figuring I'd warm up enough to get by, but never really did. At least most of the route was relatively sheltered, but there's no doubt a fleece and stocking cap would still have been much appreciated, even miles later. Although it was just about bearable most of the time, there were certainly some very unpleasant stretches whenever I was running west.

Weather notwithstanding, this wasn't the most comfortable of runs. Nothing was causing me undue concern from an injury standpoint - perhaps the biggest issue was the left calf which was a little sore during the middle portion of the run - but I felt very heavy legged and lethargic compared to most of my other recent runs. I soon figured out why... I spent a good four hours on my feet yesterday doing Christmas shopping, and also went out in the evening, so with hindsight I was probably asking for trouble. I won't be doing any more of that before my long runs. 12 miles is one thing, but I'll be tackling the daunting distances of 18 and 20 miles this week and next. They're both close enough to the marathon distance that I'll need to prepare for them like I will for the race itself ie no Christmas shopping and late-night bowling the day before.

Despite the weather and fatigue, I kept a pretty consistent pace throughout, and 9:22/mile was a good speed. I was ravenous at the end, and would have needed to get some food if I'd wanted to go much further. Usually I can go longer before getting to that point, but again, I think a combination of fighting the elements and poor preparation were factors there.

I've now run 10 miles or more six times and am due to run three more biggies (18,20,13) before finishing with an 8 miler a week before the race. Five weeks till game time. It's not long, but with the weather beginning to turn ugly and the mileage piling up, it sure ain't short.

Odd coincidence of the day... Today, on 12/14, I ran 12.14 miles. What symmetry.

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