Hello blogging bffers. As some of you may or may not know-one of my buddies came down to run a huge 50k in my area (no I did not run that dear god) and so I have been playing good hostess (or at least trying to be). I’ll write up a weekend post sometime soon. 🙂
I have to say that my blog is becoming very running focused lately, but in all honesty that is what I’m doing currently right now. So that is how the cookie crumbles. I’ll post other random things too…eventually. Anywho-
Today I ran 18.23 miles and yes that .23 is important. I went to spectate the Seashore 50k (the race that my friend from school Justin was doing). He finished in 4:07, but that is for another blog. Since I wouldn’t really be able to watch the entire race, the dad and I thought we would do a run out there while Justin was running. It was only supposed to be between 10-15 miles (well that is what my day called for) but the daddykins had other plans.
You see the real plan in his mind was to run two loops of an eight mile track. I was going to switch into my flats at mile 8 (granted I felt okay), have a gel and delayer. Perfect-I thought so.
We watched the start of the 50k at 8am, and then went back to the car and got ready for our run. The first few miles were uneventful-I just told dad about my last few weeks of school, he asked me if I had a new boyfriend yet (as he always does) and he talked about home life.
Around mile 4, we decided to go a different loop and kept going straight in the park. No big deal because we could still loop around.
Around mile 6, my dad in his glazed eyes said “are you feeling good today?”
“Decently,” I replied.
“want to run to the hot tuna and back?” (the hot tuna is a bar on the oceanfront which is about 9 miles away from where we started”
“Let’s do this shit.”
And that is how it happened. We ran the 9 miles there and back.
Things I did during this run:
- Ran the last 3.1 mile stretch of the race I got my stress fracture at.
- Drank an entire bottle of Gatorade without getting sick.
- Hit a huge wall at mile 16.
- Saw the leaders holding a 7 minute pace for a trail 50k.
- Had a 70 year old man tell me I had a nice ass.
- Never delayered and ran the entire run in my Newtons
- Jogged the entire area where my 20k will take place in January (the one I’m gearing up for)
- Saw many of my DM friends do awesomely.
Oh and yes this was my longest run to date (previously 16.25 miles).
Where does this take me in my running now you ask?
I’ve had 3 back to back 65+ mile weeks (this week will be closer to 80 actually). That means I am taking a cut week and running between 30-40 miles of easy running to let my little muscles regrow and blossom.
Maybe I’ll get into the pool but that is a big maybe.
Questions for you:
- 1. Do you take gels?
- 2. Do you ever spectate races?
I’ve never spectated a race… we don’t really have any big ones here to spectate. But, I was stopped at a light while the cops were directing traffic for a half marathon some of my friends did so I cheered for them by name from my car. I guess I looked funny doing it, but that’s the closest to spectating I’ve ever been (aside from just watching my friends come in after me which I always do that at the finish).
So awesome that you just up and ran 18 miles! I haven’t missed running over the past few days bc honestly I haven’t felt decent enough to miss it. But I can’t wait to get back in the game next week and run a few easy miles on Monday since the dentist said I can’t just randomly go run 4-5 miles first thing, gotta come back slowly.
Love that pic of you and your orange shoes!
You are such an inspiration, seriously. 18 miles! I think it’s so great that you run with your dad… I’m trying to convince my family to pick up running. Not working thus far. The distances I do don’t really require gels, but I’m quite certain that in my running future I’ll be relying on them for long distances – I’d probably make my own instead, though. Chia seeds and pureed dates, anyone?
You’re crazy! But way to go Holz! I like gels on long bikes and usually a carb drink in my bottle. This often takes too much planning though, since I like the mocha/coffee gels, and fruit punch carb drink…. which don’t mix lol!
And no, I never spectate races… I get too jealous.
And Hot Tuna is fun! I’ve run those trails many times… and seriously bonked on a 10 mile brick run off of an 84 mile bike from being dehydrated on that path!
Very nice run! Long runs are the best I love doing this with my dad 🙂 I’m surprised you were able to drink and entire bottle of Gatorade, this always me feel uncomfortable. So I opt for gels instead.
GREAT JOB HOLLIE! Awesome!
The only run I took gels on was my 24 miler. I don’t even drink water unless i’m doing over 15 miles. I think people make a big deal about long runs, but the pace is easy so it’s all good. 🙂
I hope you enjoy your easy week of running coming up!
YOU ARE A FREAKING BEAST!! I cannot wait to run like you some day!!!
Sooo why don’t you just go do a marathon? Seriously, just do it because you can. Actually that might really kill your legs but that’s what I was thinking while I was pool running (because I think about my blog and DM running friends, haha). And in all honesty, I love all the running talk on your blog lately since I don’t have much to say and I love to read about it.
I love spectating races and I’ve never used gels. Then again my longest run was 11 miles.
18 miles??? That’s crazy but good for you!!
Congrats on the PDR, Hollie! I can only hope to get build up to 18 miles one day…right now my PDR is 7 miles. 😛
Oh goodness I remember when I was pulling 10 milers… now three miles is a challenge. You’re a freaking beast for running 18.23!!!
I couldn’t take gel when I ran… they made me too thirsty. I used shot blocks instead. 🙂
And I LOVE spectating races!! I love cheering at people and encouraging them! When I race triathlons, I’m usually in the first wave so I finish before most people. I like to go back and find some place on the run course to cheer people on! Or just going to a marathon and finding a place to cheer people on is always fun too 🙂
wow good for you running 18 miles – you are doing sooo much running (I’m a little jealous but I’m finally working up my mileage again after seriously decrease the volume of training after I felt like some injuries could come..better safe than sorry)!!!