Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Boston et al

I'm at Boston Logan. Travelocity led me to believe I would be leaving for Denver at 10:40 am, but it turns out I won't be leaving until 3pm. So this seems as good a time as any to catch up on the blogging. Yesterday's race was pretty bleh. I ran 3:16, and that hurt a little more than I'd like to admit.

It doesn't bother me that I ran slowly. I told people all week I was thinking something in the 3:15-3:20 range. It was hot, I hadn't trained properly, and the last two weeks I've had the worst habits with diet and sleep that I've had in a year. I knew I wasn't going fast yesterday. I was the only person I saw in the race who consciously started in a slower corral than his qualifying time permitted. I planned to go slowly, and I was determined to avoid running 6:15 miles from the gun. I started off with a downhill mile in the 7:10 range, and it just felt so easy. And every mile until about the half (1:32) felt the same. At that stage I figured what the hey, I was on target for a negative split and a decent day on a modest effort. But right around 15, I just started feeling nauseous and then had a horrific stomach cramp. I couldn't tell you the last time I had a serious stomach cramp. From there I was strong on the ups and weak on the downs. Around 20 some BC kids offered me a beer, and I figured that since the race was already in the toilet I might as well hit the sauce. It tasted pretty good, but didn't exactly help the stomach issues. So I mailed it in for the last six.

I don't mind that I ran slow, but I'm disconcerted by how weak I was in the second half. I thought I was in shape where a 3:15 would be relaxed and pleasant, heat or no. Guess I was wrong.

I suppose this is the kick in the pants I needed to stay humble and hungry going in LT100 training this summer, which I'm planning to begin in earnest next Monday. I want a big buckle and maybe more, but yesterday makes me think Ive got some work to do to put myself in a position to get there. That's ok. I've got time. Just got to re-focus and get it done.

4 comments:

  1. Stomach cramps are totally about the heat, and probably salt. For what it is worth, there might be good lessons there for Leadville ... it could be hot there this year if summer shapes up the way it seems to be.

    Good on ya for pushing through and now go get that big buckle.

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  2. Thanks. I'm sure you're right about the cramps. I didn't even check the weather in Boston until I heard everyone talking about it on the plane, so I didn't have salt with me. Also, I seem to remember ill effects from Gatorade in the past, which I consumed as a salt replacement during the race.

    Hopefully lessons to carry forward!

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  3. Still looks good for the heat and time of year...and if it were Leadville, you woulda had 20ish hours to fix it!
    I've still got you marked down for "Big Buckle and then some" -- and as you know, the heat is the worst to/from Winfield, which you've already done and did quite well.

    Your summer and desires will help dictate pace, but as a starting point, it would be greatly satisfying to me to pace you to a smart, even race that was faster than mine.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mike. I'll be proud to have such a badass in my corner. Can't wait.

      Let me know if you're ever in the area or close and we can meet up for a run.

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