| Distance | 9 |
| Duration | 1:30 |
| Pace | 9:57 |
| Weather (°F) | 65 |
The run started off with my legs/hips being very tight. My legs loosened up after 4-5 miles and I found my stride/pace. My headlamp was used for the first 30-45 minutes of the run and then there was enough daylight. I kept it around my neck for the duration of the run (turned backwards)
I consumed around 4.25L of water (48oz of that being an electrolyte mix). I consumed an Rx Bar right before the run. It was beneficial.
I felt great from miles 11-20. I stopped at Monday Night Garage for water (didn’t need much). I had blocks/gels every 30-45 minutes. I used caffeinated Cliff Blocks around mile 10 – I felt very tired/sleepy. 2 15mg caffein blocks brought me back to life. I ended up eating the remaining 4 blocks around mile 15 by mistake (I thought they were the non-caffeinated blocks) which is probably why I felt so good.
I took roads where the BeltLine wasn’t complete. My favorite stretch is still the unfinished south east part of the beltLine – hard packed double-track with trees overhanging the path. It’s a little slice of solitude and nature that I haven’t had in many years.
Around mile 22, I started to feel the distance and the heat. This part of the BeltLine is not shaded and I started to heat up. I had to slow my pace to try and keep my heart rate in zone 2, which turned out to be very difficult, even at a 11min/mile pace. Around this time, my water bottle, near my shoulder on my vest, decided to explode in a glorious fountain of water and electrolytes. The “natural effervescence” of the Nuun tablet overcame the seal of the bottle, causing it to scream and spew. It scared the crap out of me and provided quite the show for a few runners in the opposite direction.
After mile 25, I started to accept the constant pain from my feet, legs, and oblique (which has been an ongoing injury for months). With the acceptance of the pain, a calm came over me, providing a second wind and a freedom from focusing on the pain of my body. I felt like I could tack on several miles but decided against it, considering that my longest run a few weeks ago was only 16 miles.
Key take-aways: Eat! Without the gels/blocks, I would have blown up. Drink water consistently, even if you’re not thirsty. Mix up your stride every 3-4 miles (butt kicks, strides, high-knees, etc). Preform an active warm-up! I think this would have helped my first 2-3 miles. Run in nature, it is good for your soul.