04 April - Session 83&84

2022 BST -  On LSD Sunday I did 20 miles at 65-70%. Second time at this distance. This time I took along a water bottle and some energy gels. The water bottle has a strap that you stick your hand into so you can easily carry it. I wasn't too keen on it because I don't like carrying things. I'm not too keen on wearing a  canteen belt or anything either though. At least I wouldn't have to stop to drink from the hand carried one. Plus I already had it and didn't have to buy anything new, although I did look for something different at a couple stores. I tucked a couple energy gels into the little pocket on the hand strap.

Seemed to work out ok...I drank all the water and wished I had a little bit more. It wasn't as bad carrying the thing as I thought it would be. I took along 2 gels and ate one at about the 9 mile mark. I would have eaten the second one at about 15 miles (was getting tired!) but I didn't have much water left and wasn't sure there was enough to wash the pasty gel down! I ate about 3/4 of an energy bar I bought before I started. It tasted kind of yucky so I didn't finish it.

The energy bar, gel, and water must have helped because I had a great run. I finished about 10 minutes faster than a couple weeks ago when I did 20 miles the first time. The last 5 miles were just about as fast as the first, and even though I was getting tired, I wasn't as tired as the last time and I wasn't working as hard either. Much easier to maintain pace at the desired intensity. The prescribed intensity was 65-70%. I did want to see how fast I could do the run in so I kept my HR closer to 70%. I think I averaged 139 bpm which is just about midway between.

Like usual when I started out I was concerned about needing a toilet at some point...to be blunt about it! I wasn't sure what I was going to do if it happened...I figured I could find a good place in the bushes as there aren't many toilets around here. There is one in Chipping Sodbury about 6 miles or so into my route. I always figured it'd be closed early in the morning but the last time I ran past the lights were on. This time I figured I'd stop quick and see if it was indeed open. Didn't matter this time though as it's now under construction. Anyway, I did have the urge to go, but it wasn't bad. I kept going and eventually I got to the point where I couldn't wait any longer. I was lucky and happened across a hotel. Not quite like you find in the city. This was a country hotel. I was concerned that the main area wouldn't be open, but I was even luckier when there was a man standing inside by the door and let me in. Crisis averted thank goodness!

SO over all it was a great run. The weather was beautiful...the temp was about right and it was sunny. The sunrise was nice. Being early in a Sunday there wasn't much traffic to speak of so it was quiet. I enjoy that too. Not to mention it's safer too.

I'm pretty excited about my performance and what I could potentially do in a few weeks time at my first marathon.

I rested today which was good because my legs were still a little sore from the weekend.

Edinburgh Marathon Training Session 83