After a late start thanks to forgetting something at home (ashamed to admit what it was), I finally got going a little after 10am. Should have done the math better because even if I had done the 20-25 miles I had set out to do, it would've meant that I would be done 1-1:30pm at best. All I had to my name were a couple of tacos + a beer the night before, and part of a Clif Bar and some coffee earlier this morning.
While I loaded up my Ultimate Direction hydration pack with plenty of fluid (Nuun), what I forgot to pack was more Gu (I had one). Oh, and a couple of salt tablets.
I'm going to break from tradition and spare you a lengthy report. Let's just say that it was a struggle and I just started feeling really weak and lethargic from about miles 12 and on. Had to hike a great majority of it. Stomach was screaming for food. Chest felt tight too. I just really bonked. The nightmare was over after 17 miles. Have I told you how much I'm starting to loathe running in shoes now? Seriously. I feel so much more engaged when I'm running barefoot or at least, in my Vibrams.
Anyway, I treated myself to a BIG meal at McDonalds to save the afternoon (Big Mac meal + a chicken sandwich). Felt somewhat normal after that. Squeezed in a brief power nap. Got hungry a couple of hours after. Went to work. Watched the Lakers eek out a victory tonight over the Magic. Went over to moms who fed me a big home cooked meal.
All was not lost.
14 comments:
Way to tough it out. got to love the tacos and beer carb load ..lol
Home cooked meal - Yum!
Billy,
You're looking pretty thin man. Have you lost some weight? If so, color me jealous :)
Make sure and get a couple good LR's in on the pavement to get your legs ready for the pounding at SF. Oh also, FWIW, when I'm running late I drop some Gatorade bottles in my yard and run loops around my house. This doesn't work well for everyone and it certainly is monotonous depending on the loop length but it has allowed me to get my runs in when I've been in a pinch.
I love a hearty dinner after a LR. We made enchiladas and Mexican rice last night after a hilly 17. It hit the spot!
Hi Billy!
Yep, I think there comes a time when you HAVE to ditch the shoes because they get in the way of your new and improving stride.
Hey, at least you got 17 in...that's good! :)
17 sounds good to me especially when you were low on fuel!!!
Gosh, at least you kept going. We all know hungry hippo myself would have high tailed it out of there and traveled to the wonderful mc donalds well before schedule. :) Nice work and sorry about the boink.
you are becoming a hippi with your vibrams...
i don't think i could've held on for 17 miles so i'll give you some credit there. i don't think i would have aimed for 20-25 to begin with! hopefully one day (soon?) i'll be back to real, actual long runs. sigh.
Very interesting about the shoes.
You've ramped it up significantly, I can't believe you! Fuel up and be safe out there. You are amazing. :)
WOW how you got through those 17 miles without much fuel is beyond me... i would still be laying up in the hills :) awesome job on both your trail runs this weekend! getting ready for those sf hills?!? ;)
Man, barefoot running just sounds painful to me =).
I would have died without proper fuel. 17 miles is a long way with one Gu.
Your post pretty much sums up everyone of my runs. I am never prepared.
Have you tried the NB 790s?? I wear those shoes because of the minimalism of them. Try them and I think you will be converted. They are the closest thing to barefoot other than vibram I have found.
so you ordered #4, would you like fries with that? come on! you just ran a hilly 17+ --- chow down some fries dude! ;)
Wow, well at least you pre-earned it ;-)
man that pic looks like you're running through the desert...and with no real fuel to speak of? man, i don't think i could run 7 miles in that, let alone 17...way to go..
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