Sunday, September 20, 2009

Taper me baby

I officially started the taper at about 1:00 Pacific Standard Time. Project Suck It - can Suck It! I think it served it's purpose, but I'll be proving that in exactly 14 days.
Pre-run: My alarm clock has a satellite signal that automatically sets the correct time to whatever time zone your in, but last night I noticed that it said the time was 10:00pm, rather than the actual 9:00pm it really was. I corrected the time - noted that it thought we were in Mountain time and set it for a 5:30am wake up call. Fast forward to the morning. 5:30, alarm goes off. Get up. Forget about the alarm clock discrepancy. Get coffee. Go pee. Fill coffee cup. Sit down and start checking facebook. 15 minutes later look at the time on my computer. 4:45. fml. With all that extra time in the morning I went poop 3 TIMES. That's alot even for me. (Sorry to the weak hearted but you know these are important details to endurance athletes)

Mt. Rainier peeking out of the clouds on my drive this morning.

Run: 22 miles planned. Nice country roads for the most part. Perfect starting temp - 48*. Started out very slow. Goal pace for the first 20 miles was 11:00 pace. (:40 slower than MP), then with a couple of miles left, push it a little. It was pretty good. I was going through a few spells where I was feeling great, and then a couple miles later, "let's just get this damn thang over with so I can relax for the next couple of week." Hitting my gels and salt tablets like a good little girl. Around mile 15 I started getting that stomach gargling action. You know the one. Wtf? Again. I'm thinking I might dehydrate or lose 10 pounds in less than 24 hours at this point. Frantically start scanning the woods that are covered in bushes (meaning 10% friendly fire bushes, 90% sticker bushes). Finally find something that works. Ahhhhh, relief. Minimal scratches. A mile later I am starting to slow down and I end up running into (literally) a couple of guys that usually turn out for our group long runs. They were stretching out on the side of the road. I said, "let's go boys" and kept going. It was a good pick me up at that point, and I sped up a bit. Around mile 18 I started getting 'fuzzy' almost tripped and fell on my face (still to this day I have no idea how I managed to stop myself without using my hands which had a gel in one and a water bottle in the other). I really wanted to get this thing over with. I just put my head down so to speak and gutted it out. I didn't quite make it to 22 miles when I got back to the cars and I didn't feel going 3/4 of a mile was going to make the difference on marathon day. Post-run: I regret that decision at this moment because I feel like I took the easy way out. But really, is 21.27 miles ever easy? Legs very tired and very sore after this one. Btw - NEVER, NEVER use a pumice stone on your feet the morning of a long run. Holy blisterage! There's a reason why runner's feet are so nasty. It's called protection. 16.03 miles/11:11 av pace/151 bpm 5.25 miles/10:13 av pace/171 bpm

Start and stop of the long run. Deschutes River. Old Olympia Brewery in background. The salmon are fiercely trying to make their way up the river right now. I'm going back on Wednesday to try and snap some sweet shots of the flying salmon with my good camera. Will post pictures if it's a success.

Now I get to sit back and relax a little for the next two weeks. It's a great feeling to know all the groundwork has been laid. Here's to tapering.

22 comments:

Amy - the gazelle said...

part of tapering involves carb loading with beer & wine, right?

nice run! I don't think that 21.27 is the easy way out EVER! I did 13.5 today (I only had one 20 for my training) and am just hoping I'm half as prepared as you!

You are going to be fantastic! Have a good taper & I can't wait to read your race report.

Niki said...

Yay for tapering! Great job on the run girl!

Unknown said...

So sorry about your feet but I did giggle because I've totally done the pedicure thing right before a long run and regretted it immediately! Sounds like your run was fun and you did it...ah, have fun relaxing a bit! Love taper time! Check out Taper Madness(google it)for some funny thoughts on tapering...

Katie said...

I had to giggle a little about your "relief" mid run... So glad you felt better! I agree with the gazelle, 21.27 the never the easy way out. I admire you and your stamina! Here's to tapering!

Tara said...

LOL. This post cracks me up. Three poops? Wow girl. I was also having the stomach problems yesterday for my long run. No fun!!
Ahhhh....the taper. And rest. Yum. I am not doing anything for like at least two months after my marathon. I'm going to eat and ride my bike!

joyRuN said...

Happy happy taper!

Excellent job on your LONG ASS run, girl.

ENJOY your taper :)

Ali said...

Woo Hoo for taper!

Well done on 21+, don't feel guilty you did great

Alisa said...

3 poops---probably way TMI but man, I'm jealous.

You are so ready for this mary! I think it speaks volumes that you could pick up the last 5+ miles so significantly. Way to go!!!!!!!

Kelly said...

I think you are okay at 21.27! I don't blame you for not going farther. Have fun tapering!

Kathleen said...

I always get the poops on long runs, unfortunately. And 21.27 miles is a looonng way to run, so its understandable. Have an AWESOME taper- carb-load galore :)

Amy said...

Cheers to tapering! Great last long run and I call that 22 for sure. I'm glad you got through it. Now, the question is, did you celebrate w/ a Deschutes beer afterward?

jenn w/ 2 n's said...

Just stopping by. I was inrigued when I saw the title of your blog on Miles of Kate. I too love the vino.

Good to know I'm not the only one looking for a "safe squat". I'm new to running and haven't quite mastered what to eat to try to prevent that. heehee It's bad when you try to plan your runs around where the safe/clean bathrooms are. Or at least where there's plenty of coverage. If you get a chance run by my blog and read about why I don't do Cameron Park. Funny bathroom story.. Good luck on your race!!

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

So jealous of the 48 degree start. I need to move to the northwest. Enjoy the taper if you can. Tapering is not my favorite.

(note from your comment on my blog - I ran the 5k on Sat. The 20 miler was Thurs. So, not fully recovered, but had fun running it)

Jamie said...

Yay for taper time! Awesome job on the 21+ miles - that is incredible. The 3/4 of a mile is not going to make any difference at all.

Stay away from the pumice stone!!!

X-Country2 said...

Yay for tapering! Soudns like you're ready for race day.

Chic Runner said...

DAng! GREAT job on that run! that is a long way to go and you rocked it! :)

YAY for tapering!!!!!!!

Aron said...

hey you went over 21 miles and that is FAR!!! great job!! now enjoy the taper and get those legs ready to race!!

Missy said...

I'm telling ya that pumice stone and the cheese grater that I like to use are hell on the feet. Tread lightly on those.

Yay for the taper and everything else is booked. Congratulations, the race is the reward. You've earned it.

NY Wolve said...

There is never anything bad about running 21 miles!

Ashley said...

Nice work!!! And I'm glad I'm not the only one that shares bodily functions with others. ;)

Running and living said...

ANy run over 20 is going to help. 21.27, 22, it's really the same. So cut yourself some slack. Enjoy the taper, don't go too nuts (like I do).

Unknown said...

I hope you had a great first week of taper!