30 km Long Run .. A First

The morning was beautiful, although I knew it would be a bit warm but at least it wasn't raining.  I had received my new Hoka One One Bondi 3s Thursday and had gotten 2 shorter runs in with them, and I was going to try them out on the long run.  I would do almost anything to take some stress off of my legs.  

I dressed in a Tshirt and some CWX long shorts that I had gotten on discount, filled the bladder of my Nathan pack, packed my Honey Stinger chews, charged the iPod and Garmin and applied some ReSkin to my poor toes.  I was set.

I met the Running Room group at the store (this was my warm up, walking to the store as DH had the DDs at a ball tournament so that I could do this).  I met a friend who was going to do a long run also.  So our goal going in was to run the 10 km loop that the rest of the clinics were doing, and then run another 10ish loop and then add another 5 and so on.  She said at the store that perhaps she would be doing a bit shorter but we will see, so that is where the strategy came from... And seeings how this was the first time in my Shoes for longer than an hour and the shorts for longer than an hour I knew I could be in for stopping sooner than planned too.

So we started off, a nice easy 8ish km before we separated from the group.  During this 8 km I had to take off both ReSkins from both toes, and adjust a few things a few times.... nothing critical.  I was weary that my toes would be turned into huge blisters but for now I had no choice.  It was a good first part, other than those minor annoyances.

As we separated from the group (realistically we already were separated because we were so behind) we decided to head the the ball park where my family was.  I had stashed a change of socks in the backpack they had and a pair of shoes in the car, just in case.  Those km took a long time! And it was not nearly as many as we were hoping.  We strolled into the ballpark, probably looking a little beat up (which is humorous because it was only 12 km in) got some fresh water, I changed my socks and we used the facilities.  Then off we went.  

We decided to do a paved trail that goes for a few km to make a large loop that would hopefully bring us between 20 and 25 km.  It is called the Discovery Trail here and it is really quite nice, quiet, out of the way of listening to cars constantly.  Although there were gnats or something similar everywhere and we ate a few, it was refreshing.  During this time I was having knee flair ups.  Sore, hot, ups and downs.  I have had them a few other times.  When it started I really had to concentrate on HOW I was running.  This seemed to work, it lasted a few kilometers and I somehow managed to will it mostly away.

During this section I also realized I really enjoyed the Hoka's.  I hadn't felt anything 'wrong' besides a rub from the tongue after I did our pit stop and I changed socks.  This rub did end up producing a new blister but I think it is a completely preventable spot for next time, I was probably rushing at the park and didn't take the time to put my shoe on just right.  During this section I also realized that my feet were sore, but not as sore as I thought they would be since I have previous blisters that were taking a battering.

We finished our Trail section and saw a few friends a long the way, it was quite nice.  Then we started back across town towards home.  During the first couple km of this I was tired.  I was thirsty, I wanted cold water, I wanted more km, I mean how could it only have been 2 measly kilometers!!!!  We pushed on.... the last couple of km back to the store I began to feel human again, like a second wind. (or 3rd or 4th?)  I picked up my pace the teeniest bit (Well I felt like I did, I don't know that the numbers say too much... oh wait, I don't have my numbers... more later). And I had a 'strong' or 'fast' finish.  I apologized to my friend at this point because I knew I was pushing it a bit and I wasn't sure how she felt about it.  We finished up 25ish km right on the mark..... She headed her way and I headed home.

I ran / climbed (huge hill) home.  I passed home.  I was at 26 km.  I knew I may as well try for 30, I had the time, so to speak.  My feet felt like they may or may not be hamburger.  They were either so sore at this point that they were fallen apart and numb, or, they just weren't so bad and were numb/'ok'.... I didn't know, I wouldn't know until I was done, I assumed the hamburger option.

At this time I changed to a run 3 walk 30 strategy.  (the first 26 km we were run 10 walk 1)  I ran about 2 km out. By then my Glympse app had shut down (as I had started it more than 4 hours earlier and with pit stops etc I was past that mark) and had a few friends message me saying 'great job, you are done!'.... I really enjoyed the messages, as simple as they were, they were encouraging.  My reply was 'I just need to make it back, and it better be 30 km!!!'  I got a couple 'how are you feeling?' texts too.... to which I replied, I am okay actually.  Surprisingly. LOL!!!

So the last 2 km back I tried to lift my spirits, not that I was feeling broken or abused, but only that it was that last 'boring' couple of km back home, the same km you inevitably have to run past every single time  you do a route from your house.  I found a good song and just rolled with it.  This always helps me when I am on my own for the 'boring' and 'tough' sections.  I got to my house and.......... not 30 km! freaking hell had to run down the road a bit more and back.  

And I did it!!!!! I am not sure I can say it was easier or harder than I thought.  There were a lot of confused thoughts when I was done... possibly also because my brain was mostly shut down.  But I did it, and I am pretty darn proud of myself.

I stretched outside in the sunshine and came inside to assess my hamburger feet situation.  I was fearing there would be a bloody pulp in my socks..... THERE WASN'T. This was probably my largest achievement of the whole thing. ;)

Upstairs, plug the Garmin in, and hop in the ice bath..... 

I see on strava that my run is ready.

I click it.

I see my treadmill run from the day before.

Where is my 30 km.

.....

I finish my ice bath.

I run to the computer.  

ITS NOT THERE.

I check my watch history and.... ITS GONE.

Like it never happened... except I took a picture of my watch, you know, for instagram, so I had that.

Like it never happened... on paper.  But in my heart, you bet your ass it happened!

I will try again in 2 weeks for another 'super long' run.  This weekend I have BMO Vancouver Half and am still debating actually racing it (for a PR maybe? my current is 2:13)  i have been running so slow that I am not sure it is possible.  We will see the morning off if it is a training run or a push it run. :)

Will be back to report after that!!