Gateway 16 Miles

Tuesday, May 4, 2010:

We three went to the Gateway Trail this morning, to run "long," or what is long for us. Sixteen miles for me, similar amount of time for the sweeties. Friend Jim ran with me much of the way - good conversation makes for easy running. We took the gravel horse trails, which may drain a little more energy from the legs than does the paved trail, but it’s easier on joints. After Jim split off, at mile 11 or so, I switched back to the paved trails and probably ran a bit faster than I might have on the gravel.

Water every two miles, gels at miles 4, 8, & 12. I forgot to bring salt packets, and was reminded afterward by almost-cramps in the calves. I did stop the watch briefly three times, for water and for potty breaks.

Splits: 9:46, 8:42, 10:31, 9:13, 9:21, 10:09, 10:26, 11:02, 10:28, 11:58, 10:35, 9:25, 11:04, 10:38, 10:09, 9:31, total 2:43:00, average pace 10:11. If this had been a marathon, and I wanted to finish in 4:30 (Boston qualifying time), I would have had to run the next 10.2 miles in 1:47:00, a pace of 10:29. Hard to say if that would be possible, but it might be. I had energy left when the run was over. It’s a masterpiece!

Saturday, May 01, 2919:

Since we were unable to race Saturday morning, we went to the park again in the afternoon to get in a few more miles. I ran 5.1 miles, hoping to bump into the girls who were on a different route, but missed them. Hilly, sixty degrees, mostly cloudy, and very windy, it wasn’t an easy run. I finished in 51:08, for a pace of 10:02. It’ll do!

Breakfast, mostly organic. Oatmeal beneath.