Yesterday I completed the final 20 mile run in my training for the Santa Rosa Marathon coming up in three weeks. It was particularly important to me that the run go well, given that I cut my previous 20-miler short at 18 miles due to the heat here in SoCal that day. I am trying to be smart and not overwork my body just to check off the mileage on the training plan. That’s major progress for me because I get a lot of satisfaction from crossing off those workouts!
The weather yesterday did not offer a lot of promise — 75 degrees when I started at 6 a.m., and so humid that it reminded me of running in Hawaii but without the gorgeous views to inspire me. In fact it felt more like I was running through the pool locker room at the YMCA, it was that humid and uninspiring!
I determined to do my best and to fuel properly to avoid bonking. Gatorade is the sports drink offered on the marathon course so I’ve been practicing using that on my long runs. I carried a full two liters of Gatorade in my new Nathan Intensity 2L Women’s Hydration Race Vest:
(Happy early birthday to me! Thanks Mom and Dad!)
I drank every single drop of that two liters of Gatorade by the time I reached home 3 hours and 16 minutes later, and I didn’t bonk! That’s 20 miles with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, completed at an average pace of 9:50 per minute. To give myself that extra boost of confidence I so desperately needed, I completed the last mile at 8:55, proving that I still had something left in the tank after a solid run. The only bad news was that I sweated so much in the humidity that the sweat pooled in my new shoes, and when I got home, I peeled off my socks and wrung out about a half cup of sweat, much to the amusement and disgust of my 9-year-old!
I celebrated the successful run by having some friends over for a pool party and potluck lunch. One of Mike’s and my high school friends came into town from Ohio and we took the opportunity to gather seven classmates together, 25 years after graduation!
How was your weekend? Did you exercise?
Fit Fun Mom 
You are a smart marathoner. You have studied various plans and found one that works well for your mind and body. You are welcome for the hydration vest. I am glad it worked out as you anticipated. Looking forward to more posts as the countdown begins. Love you loads!
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Thanks Mom! I love you too!
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That was a serious 20 miler with a serious elevation gain! Great job. I ran 18 in the same conditions and felt so defeated afterward. My long runs have been taking twice the effort to hit a decent pace and I am a little worried to the point where I might just run the half at Ventura. I know that the heat and humidity is not for me and I just don’t feel good when I run in those conditions. Weak Sauce..I know!
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You ran that 18 miles at a great pace regardless of the temperature! I know what you mean — it’s not a lot of fun to slog out 26.2 miles in the heat — but it seems to me your training is going really well and you can afford to wait and see what the forecast is for race day and make a decision.
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Great job on that 20 – sounds like the Gatorade was perfect for you!!
I think that after a nice taper you are going to ready to bust out your best marathon yet!!!
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I actually like Gatorade — I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I appreciate the taste of Gatorade during a long run.
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[…] you might know, I was happy to embrace the 3-week taper period leading up to my next full marathon, The Santa Rosa Marathon. But then the workouts continued at […]
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[…] 1. Weather — the race day temperature still looks favorable with the 6 a.m. temperature starting at 54 degrees and not going above the low 60s by 10 a.m. The problem is that in the early morning hours the humidity is nearly 100%, a “dripping fog” as local organizer and legendary ultrarunner Arthur Webb puts it on his very helpful blog. Here in SoCal I train in bone-dry, drought-ridden conditions. I guess it’s a good thing my last long run was in the high 80s and so muggy it felt like I was running through the pool locker room at the gym. […]
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