Monday, June 14, 2010

Taper Time

On Saturday I had one of those toss and turn nights. I could not fall asleep! I laid in bed wide awake for hours before finally migrating to the couch, where I eventually dozed off for a bit and then made my way back to bed. With the 4:45AM wake-up call looming, I knew it was going to be a rough morning. I got maybe three hours of sleep.

I never have problems sleeping! I'm one of those out-like-a-light-when-my-head-hits-the-pillow types, so this was highly unusual and frustrating.

Sunday morning might have been a good time to take up coffee drinking, but I settled for squeezing every last drop of caffeine out of my tea bag as I slowly got myself slowly into motion. *yawn*

I expected a pretty tough run but great friends kept me thoroughly distracted and the miles were ticking by in no time. The group was running 21K, but three of us got together earlier to run an extra 9K loop. It was nice having a quick pit-stop for a washroom break and water refills when we picked up the rest of the group. Suddenly there were 20 of us pounding the pavement together. Have I mentioned how much I love running with a group?

It was a cool-ish morning, but extremely muggy. My clothes were already drenched form the first loop (should have brought a change) and the air was thick with humidity as we carried on. Fortunately we were soon greeted with a very fine mist/rain. It felt wonderful and refreshing and thankfully lasted until about the last hour of the run. When the sun started coming out and we started feeling that thick air again, it became a bit of a mental struggle to push on. The group had broken up so I was only running with a few others at this point, but we were able to keep each other going as we counted down the miles.

It was a very hilly route and the hills started to take their toll. There had been a nice long descent at the beginning of the run, so we knew we'd be climbing our way back to the imaginary finish line. We managed to hold onto the pace and somehow picked it up ... eventually, we made it.

30.0 KM - 18.6 mi
2:55:10
5:50/KM - 9:24/mi



Our friends who hosted the group run had a beautiful backyard swimming pool, and I was in that water within minutes! Afterwards we were treated to a tremendous breakfast spread - what a spoiled bunch we are!

Having not run any long distances (+20K) since Mississauga, I'm very pleased with how it went.

Bring on Seattle! It's time to taper... again.

40 comments:

Jocelyn said...

Great runs! I have never run with a large group before...it sounds so nice! You'll rock Seattle!

Anonymous said...

u r so fast!!! thats an awesome run!!
u will do great in ur next race!

Anonymous said...

GREAT pace, especially considering heals + heat + humidity! Definitely not your typical recipe for a good run, but you guys always bust it out ;)

Julie D. said...

I don't know what I'd do if we dealt with humidity here. you all are tough! What an awesome post run party!! :) Looking forward to seattle!

Marky Mark said...

You won't have that humidity in Seattle. Way to stick it out.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

You are a long run rock star. I wanted a 10 miler this weekend (seeing how I'm running a half on Saturday) but it just didn't happen. I'll be praying all my double days of 10+ miles will be enough.

Awesome job!

Jill said...

That's an EXCELLENT time for your last long run!! Way to crank that one out! I don't sleep well at all so understand your frustration with the sleep thing. Yep, time to bring on the taper, fuel the body, rest the legs and you're going to run so strong!!

Amy said...

Great job on your long run in the humidity! I'm alway so jealous of your group runs!

Carly said...

great job! There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to sleep. I am glad your sleepless night did not hinder your run.

J said...

I hate it when I can't fall asleep! It really is no fun. Great job on the run even though you were tired! Must have been nice to jump in the pool afterward!

macnic said...

Ugg, not being able to sleep does suck! Good for you for getting out there!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Great job on the run! Enjoy your taper. You are going to do great in your race!

Runner Leana said...

It definitely sounds like you run with an amazing group. Swimming and breakfast after 30K sounds great! Congratulations on a terrific run. It sounds like you are so ready for Seattle! Happy tapering!

Gotta Run..... said...

a dip in the pool followed by a yummy breakfast...who would not LOVE that kind of treatment!

Felice Devine said...

Awesome run!
Enjoy the taper...

Lindsey said...

Seattle is an awesome race! I ran it last year and the weather was absolutely perfect, the course is diverse (I did the half) and the people are fun. You will love it!

Jess said...

Great job on another long run!

Laura said...

Pleased! Wholy crap woman..your long runs are seriously speedy.

Char said...

A big thumbs up to running in a group. Fellow runners sustain you when the going gets tough and praise you when you're running well. It's win-win.

Nicole said...

way to go lady! you rocked it!!! :))))))

ajh said...

Good job on your run. I have not been sleeping well lately! I hate it!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Awesome run!! Sounds like you have a pretty amazing group :)

Tricia said...

great run!

Unknown said...

It sounds like you had a fun run and pool party! Seattle? Already!

Teamarcia said...

Woohoo! Bring on the taper! Again! Isn't humidity the pits? Definitely not my friend.

MCM Mama said...

Nicely done! I want a running group (and a friend with a pool) like you. ;o)

Have fun tapering. (Blows my mind that you and I ran a marathon on the same day and I'm just getting my stride back and you're tapering for another marathon.)

Anonymous said...

Great job on the long run! I've also never run in a big group, other than on race day (LOL).

Heather said...

Awesome job with your long run! Enjoy the taper. :)

Sarah said...

Woohoo!!! The humidity here has been awful too. I was very happy for some drizzle on my weekend run too. :)

carla said...

Man Im in awe of your running AND your love of the run.

Im getting there.
sloooowly :)


MizFit

Denise said...

swimming and breakfast...that's the kind of running club I need! great job on the run, esp on such little sleep.

Anonymous said...

You're certainly in shape. The taper will help a lot. Remember to increase sleep before the event, too, if you have any time. Good luck!
Katherine

Being Robinson said...

so excited to hear about everyone's seattle experience. i would love to do that race someday, so for now, i'll just settle for hearing you post about it! so thanks ;)

Emz said...

you are so awesome! What a great run!

I am soooooooooooo jealous of your sleeping pattern [hit the pillow & out?!!?] I'd pay some serious cash to make that happen in my world. ;)

YAY for Seattle! I wish I could have gotten into that race!! ENJOY IT!!

Lily on the Road said...

I'm with Robin, great friends, great running, a pool party and food, it just doesn't get any better than that!

Enjoy your taper madness, ;^)

Jamie said...

The humidity can be such a killer but you did great! Sounds like a nice run and post run with friends! Good luck with the taper.

ShirleyPerly said...

Very well done on your long run!!

And, yes, a dip in a pool after a long run feels sooooo good. Nowadays with the heat & humidity at 90+ pretty much every every day, I look forward to it much more than running!!

Lindsay said...

Ohh man what I would do to jump in the pool after a run these days!! Growing up I would jump straight in, still in my running clothes at my parents house. Now... Well I don't think the neighborhood would appreciate that ;-) nor is the pool open when I am finishing a run typically.

EndorphinBuzz said...

That is a pretty awesome time for a long training run. Good work! Seattle should be fun!

kanishk said...

Awesome job!
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