AM - 42 Utah Hill x 3. I really don't have a lot of weekends where I can prepare for the 50 - even though it is still a few months away - so I decided to get something big in today. Picked up Steve very early and we started the first loop. The dark kept it a little slower and actually hid the hills a little. Finishing up the first lap, James and the others went by - we started a little slow and the slower pace made us late. Moved into the 2nd lap and it went pretty good. Then moved into the 3rd lap and switched directions and it went pretty solid as well. Total time from the first step to the last was 6:18 including refueling/drink stops/bathrooms- for an average of 9:00. Nothing crazy, but this type of running, I found out, is much different than anything else I've done. It's not about pace, it's about getting it done. It was kind of surreal running that long. I thought about EVERYTHING one could think of. Named every stinking climb (and there were a ton). Cheered myself at notable milestones - 22, most miles for a week; 28, longest timed run; 31, longest mileage run; 40, 2 miles left; 41, 1 mile left; 42, done! Legs and mind were the big concerns, but I am actually pleased about how I held up all around. Hydration and fueling were solid. Ate bread and honey each time back at the Jeep and had plenty of Gu's and Shot blocks. Could have used just a little more gato and water on the last loop. (Landreth black 512.6)
This was the end to a monster week for me - 150+ total (previous high was 133), today's crazy run - and I feel pretty solid, a little tired but I think I could easily stick another 8 onto it and have a solid 50 miler (especially on fresher legs and a more racy atmosphere). Goals for next week: Chill out a little (our meet this coming weekend will slow me down), and start off the last quarter of the school year well.
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