Bits and Splits

It has been four days since the marathon and I am still basking.  I'll be sitting in my car at a stop light and all of a sudden I'll think, "I ran a 3:45," and I'll grin.  I've also found it difficult to cut the timing chip off my shoe.  So I haven't.  And when I put my shoes on or happen to look down and see the bright orange strip, I grin.  Sure, this will wear off eventually and be just another thing, but for now...I'm still grinning sporadically throughout my day.

Last night I attended a TRX Circuit Training class at the gym for the first time.  Ordinarily I would not have done this right after a marathon, but it was for an actual class I am taking at UAH (more on that later).  This was a two part class where we spent 45 seconds on the TRX section (don't ask me what that means, but if you know please share) and then 45 seconds on the circuit part which was out in the gym.  The instructor helping with the circuit portion saw me halfheartedly doing some long jumps (the exercises in the circuit were somewhat insane for even the freshest of legs) and so she came over to me.

"You've got some big leg muscles, you can do better than that!" she said.  I tried to comply, wondering if "big leg muscles" could be taken as a compliment.  Afterward she came over to me and my classmate and told us we'd done a great job for first timers.  I must admit, despite the difficulty level and my tired legs, I had a great time attempting it all and laughing at some of these attempts.  But whenever I found my legs simply would not follow instructions (such as high knee tucks on the bosu), I looked down at the orange strip on my shoe and... I grinned.

A few of my friends have requested splits and so I am including them here.

Mile  1 - 9:02
Mile  2 - 8:50
Mile  3 - 8:33
Mile  4 - 8:46
Mile  5 - 8:45
Mile  6 - 8:45
Mile  7 - 8:52
Mile  8 - 8:34
Mile  9 - 8:07
Mile 10 - 8:54
Mile 11 - 8:32
Mile 12 - 8:34
Mile 13 - 8:25
Mile 14 - 8:45
Mile 15 - 8:44
Mile 16 - 8:39
Mile 17 - 8:41
Mile 18 - 8:59
Mile 19 - 8:56
Mile 20 - 8:43
Mile 21 - 8:40
Mile 22 - 8:23
Mile 23 - 8:37
Mile 24 - 8:41
Mile 25 - 8:40
Mile 26 - 8:17
Mile .2 - 6:49 (pace - not sure of overall time)

It wasn't quite the speed-up at the end I was hoping for, but it was enough.  If I tried to bring some of those 8:50s down to 8:40s, a few more minutes could be shaved off with a bit more training and focus. Not that I'm quite ready to begin that just yet...but it won't be long. 

Two new things I did for this marathon involved hair and Gu (but they have nothing to do with each other).  First of all, I have a very short haircut with multiple layers.  I think my hair guy was tired when I went to my last appointment and well...it is interesting to say the least.  Too short for a pony tail, but too long to just let it sit on my neck (not to mention the really short curls that stick straight up on top of my head).  So what did I discover?  Pig tails!  They were tiny and a little uneven, but they stayed in place and kept me cool and comfortable throughout the race. 

Jason taught me the Gu trick, although most other runners may already know it.  I knew I wanted 4 Gus for my marathon and I knew there would be some out on the course, but I still wanted to take some with me.  My shorts did not have pockets and I can't stand things jumping around on me when I'm running, but Jason had the answer.  He pinned my Gu to the outside of my shorts and then flipped it in the inside so it was against my skin.  I only carried two with me, but four would have worked just fine.  They did not move or jump or chafe, and they were easy to pull off while running.  My flavor of choice is Espresso Love.  Due to the coffee-like flavor, it is the only one I can tolerate. 

Those are the bits and splits of my 3:45:52 (you knew I had to throw that in again) Mercedes Marathon. 

Uber Ultra Planning and Such

I am now 5 days away from the North Face Endurance Challenge Gore-Tex 50 Mile and I believe I have planned the event to the nth degree (or at least it feels like it).  I know for a fact I have never planned this much for a race, not even the Dizzy Fifties 40 Mile I completed last November. 

I'm pretty excited, but just like the 40 mile, I have no idea what to expect.  Will I be able to go the distance?  Will I hurt myself?  What experiences will I have along the way?  What will the "creek crossings" be like?  Did I train enough?  These questions run through my mind multiple times a day and I try to answer them all as positively and confidently as I can. 

My training peaked at two consecutive 60 mile weeks, followed by a 52 mile week, and then last week was 40.  This week I am trying to keep the mileage low, maybe getting in a nice, leisurely 3 miles a day.  I'm hoping to do that tonight with Jason as I try out the two headlamps I have, to make sure one of them will be enough to light my way for the first 2 hours of the race.

So now, because this kind of behavior should be documented, I am going to dip into my 50 Mile file folder (yes, I have a blue file folder in which to organize everything) and record for you here all of the "planning." 

Gear Bag Drops

There are 3 aid stations where I can have a gear bag dropped, so I have written the location and what I want in each bag.  I may combine the first and the third bag.

Mollyhugger: Mile 16.1 - socks, tank top, honey stinger bar squares, ibuprofen, lip balm, toilet paper, small baggie of potato chips

Tower: Mile 28 - socks, shoes, tank top, honey stinger bar squares, ibuprofen, lip balm, body glide, toilet paper, small baggie of potato chips

Mollyhugger: Mile 42.5 - socks, tank top, honey stinger bar squares, gloves, small baggie of potato chips

As for other gear, I will wear my headlamp for the first 2 hours, my Garmin the whole time, and I will carry a water bottle with some Powerbar Gel Blasts in the zipper. 

Cutoffs

This is my great fear, being told I cannot continue.  While I really do not think this will be a problem unless something unforeseen comes up, I want to be prepared for these just in case.

Aid Station # 4: Mile 23.1 - I must reach this point by 11:26 a.m.
Best case prediction: 9:40 a.m. (12 minute pace)
Worse case prediction 10:00 a.m. (13 minute pace)

Aid Station # 7: Mile 37.5 - I must reach this point by 3:23 p.m.
Best case prediction: 1:00 p.m. (12:30 minute pace)
Worse case prediction 2:00 p.m. (14 minute pace)

Finish Time Estimates

I have a total of 14 hours available to me to complete the race (5:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.).  That is about a 16 minute pace.  If I use my 40 mile time, which was an 11:56 pace, these are my finish time estimates for the 50 mile.

Best case predication: 3:00 p.m. (12 minute pace)
Next best case prediction: 3:30 p.m. (12:30 minute pace)
Worst case prediction: 4:40 p.m. (14 minute pace)

And what I mean by "worst case" is that this is the slowest I hope to go.  It does NOT mean that I will be disappointed if I do, in fact, finish the race around 4:40 p.m.  Finishing the thing is the goal.  I am only paying attention to time because there are cutoffs. 

Weather Watch

Yes, I have been a weather watching fanatic these past few days.  Here are the dates I've checked and the weather readings for Saturday, October 16.

10/7 - low 46, high 76
10/8 - low 47, high 80
10/9 - low 47, high 79
10/11 - low 43, high 78

I am hoping for the temps to drop, not rise.  The colder the better, in my opinion.  Depending on the final weather prediction this Friday, I may amend my gear bag items and my wardrobe choices (though not much).

Miscellaneous

I am getting my hair cut Tuesday.  I have no idea why, but I like the idea of beautifying before a big race.  I usually get a pedicure, but for a trail run, there is really no hope of it lasting the race.  I will paint them myself for free.  Probably green.  I will also pluck my eyebrows.

I am planning a shopping trip to the local Fleet Feet store to buy a tiny body glide, honey stinger bars, and possibly a cute celebratory racing top and a splurge on another pair of Balega socks. 

And that, my friends, is my complete 50 mile planning list...for now.  Did I miss anything?