11.75 miles
I anticipate the struggle bus to arrive at some point during training but not this early in the game. While I did plan for 8 miles, I misjudged where I was and ended up with close to 12, and no, I wasn’t going to keep going because I was ready to get off the bus.
When I said I needed to up my mileage just a tad for the GVRAT, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I meant an extra mile here and there. Not 4.
I got to the trail at 8 AM and the temperature was warmer than I expected. My feet felt hot and raw early on. The Hoka Speedgoat 4 has been the go-to trail shoes that I wore with Feetures socks and some Run Goo that melted off quickly, but no blisters.
The last 3 miles were a slog fest that I walked.
I thought about the last time I trained for Chicago (2016) and the fact that I wasn’t actually training for it.
That year I was focused on the Javelina Jundred 100 mile and every run was geared towards that race.
Every long run with back-to-backs was on the trails, and I had the best marathon experience in Chicago without having any long runs on the roads.
Of course, my body was different 6 years ago. I was stronger and slightly leaner and a few several pounds lighter. Thanks to that lovely gym membership I once had and I think I paid more attention to what I ate. I think.
But comparing then and now is not going to help. Nor berating myself isn’t going to help either. But I am sticking to the trails.
I know every run regardless if it’s long or short, is a chance to learn what works and what doesn’t, and it’s the run that doesn’t go as planned where you learn the most from. I’m grateful that was this run today because I know there I things I need to improve upon (hello hydration) and this is just the beginning.
There is much work to be done, but I did it before and I know I can do it again.
Note to self for next time: bring more fuel and electrolytes, wear the wide-brimmed hat, maybe go back to Injinji socks, and dig out the tanks that have been hibernating.
Thank you for reading my daily post on my Chicago Marathon (October 9) training.
