Last Long Run

This weekend I did my last long run before the 50K.  It was probably a bit longer than I would have gone if my training schedule went exactly to plan, but I missed a few long runs due to colds and I wanted to get one more in.  I weighed the pros and cons of doing it two weeks out from the 50K, but settled on the fact that if I backed off a few days after and made sure I recovered well from it, it would be beneficial for fitness and fueling practice.

The local running club, Monadnock Regional Milers, host a winter race series appropriately called the Winter Chillers.  The location varies and this weekend the race took place 14 miles from where I live so I used it as motivation to get out the door and get going early Saturday morning.  The temperature wasn't too bad and although it was really windy, I was pretty well protected from it for most of the run.  Starting around 6:25am, I ran to where registration was being held and then added on about another 20 minutes of running before registering, using the loo, and grabbing some Hammer gel.  From there my brother and I ran another 1.5 miles or so before the 3 mile race, which I didn't race, but continued along at a similar pace.  My brother and I then ran the course again with a bit added on at the end of it.  It worked out great for some motivation, mentally breaking up the long run, being able to fuel at regular intervals, and have company for part of it.  I averaged a little quicker pace than expected, finishing my 3 hour run with 25 miles. 

It was great to get in another long run and feel pretty good doing it.  I practiced taking in fuel at intervals similar to what I'll use in the 50K and it worked well.  I used Hammer HEED about every 3 miles and Hammer gels (I went with the flavor potpourri approach: vanilla, huckleberry, tropical, and raspberry) about every 6 miles.  Everything sat fine in my stomach, while keeping my blood sugar and energy levels stable so I'll stick with this plan come race day.

I took it easy on Sunday to make sure I recover fully.  I'll do a tempo run this week, race the Jones Group 10 miler (Amherst, MA) on Sunday, then onto the 50K on March 6.