Zombie Run

So, thinking back to my last 14-mile run, I think I have coined a new phrase. These really long runs don't easily fit into a morning. In fact, they will probably result in wanting to take a big long nap during the day, which is no fun at all. So the Memorial Day weekend presents an interesting opportunity: try another zombie run.

For me, a zombie run is an LSD run that you start after the kids go to bed. That would be 9PM or so. For this 18-mile run (gosh, it seems strange to even type that), you get moving on your loop system and finish past midnight. This--in theory--does less damage to your regular sleep patterns. During the 14-mile zombie run a few weeks ago, I talked to Marti and my Dad. They were trying to get out of the hospital for the first time, and I took my cell phone (don't usually do that) so I could stay in touch with them.

We have Dad's burial service on Saturday. We'll stay over that night and come home Sunday. I'll do the 18-mile zombie run after we put the kids to bed. Luckily, Monday is Memorial Day, so I get an extra day to rest.

Kid Miles

The first thing Julia said to me at the Crim finish line was: "Can I go running with you?" Both kids wanted to run today, so we did a mile.

Owen = 10:34
Julia = 10:55

If either one of these kids can kick it up a notch, they will beat me in 6 months.

Crim/Rebuilding

My father's death was obviously a priority for me: helping him before he died, being there for my family after he died, etc. So I lost about 3 weeks of training. I ran during each of those weeks, but I didn't get my long runs or scheduled workouts in. My plan was to just keep my head above water until the Crim, run my marathon pace for that race, and re-assess the situation after the Crim.

Well, the Crim went very well. I set a goal of 90 minutes, and tried as hard as I could to get exactly that time. My thinking there was to finish with lots of gas in the tank--hopefully enough to feel like I could do it again right afterward. 10M is an important distance for me in how I perceive the marathon: I am going to approach the marathon as 3 races: 2 ten milers and a 10k. If I can do the first 2 ten milers at 9:00/M, I will be in striking distance for a 4:00 finish. That means my average speed could go down to nearly 10:00/M at the end and I would still finish in under 4 hours. So, I finished the crim in 89:54, which is about as close to 90 minutes as you can get. My splits were exactly 8:59/M the whole race. Very even pace, very consistent. Exactly what I was going for. I finished feeling strong; maybe I couldn't have done the same pace for another 10 miles, but I know I could have gone 5.

Another important thing is that my logistical stuff continues to work. The hydration/nutrition strategy I used for the half marathon worked perfectly in the Crim. The only downside was some nasty-tasting hose water in my handheld. I need to see if I can get better water. It wasn't so bad. It just had a nasty taste, and it was gone in 3 miles and I got some additional water. I didn't crash or bonk, so I must have done okay.

For the record, I've been doing 8oz of fluid every 3 miles, and one Gu Chomp every 12-15 minutes. My stomach handles this much better. For the Crim, I did 3 mile splits, mostly because the watch I was using is a piece of crap. I will have a replacement for my watch in a few days.

But one thing I need to remember: a time goal is probably not a good idea for me given my interruption in training.

Rebuilding

So the big fork in the road is what to do with the long runs on my schedule. I have no worries about going to the longer weekly runs. They only go up to 8, and I have been doing runs as long as 6 while out of town. But this coming weekend calls for an 18 mile run. Is this a good idea? My last long run of 14 miles was 4 weeks ago. It might not be advisable.

So one option I am considering is just using the schedule with modified long runs. Right now, I am scheduled to do two 20 mile long runs. Perhaps I revise that down to just one. Here are the remaining weeks (the one that starts tomorrow is Week 11):

11: 18
12: 13
13: 20
14: 12
15: 20
16: 12
17: 8
18: RACE

Here's an option that keeps the two 20s:

11: 13
12: 15
13: 20
14: 12
15: 20
16: 12
17: 8
18: RACE

The Monday of the following week is Memorial Day, so perhaps there is a creative way to use that to catch up.

Still Struggling

Trying to get back in. While in the hospital, I really wrenched my R plantar fascia in an odd place. I was moving my dad in bed and put all my weight on a terrible spot. The good news is that I don't run on this part of my foot at all. During yesterday's 7 miler it hardly hurt at all (well, at the end it really hurt, but I felt comfortable running through it). I just did some CWT with the double bucket. Today I am supposed to do a 14 mile LSD, but I was really out of it this morning. Since dad has been sick, I've been really depressed in the morning, something I really need to shake. Look, that's not going to help anything--get moving.

So I wonder about today's 14 miler. If I do it, I am back on track with the PLAN, and that would feel good. I could do it tomorrow. I know it's going to take 2.5 hours or so with a slow training pace. So maybe I do it after the kids go to bed. I could go CWT on my R foot again.

I don't have to be at work at the crack of dawn tomorrow. Perhaps doing the run tonight is a good idea. I don't usually like to run at night, but getting back on track is a strong motivator.

Also, I am having my GC drained on Tues. Hopefully that helps.