Long Run gone Short

What was intended to be an 11 mile long run with 9 miles Planned Half Marathon Pace fell short today on the treadmill at work.

I had a late night last night at work and short turnaround today. I like to do long runs on Sundays or Mondays, but with family commitments and "honey-dos" scheduled for Sunday and baseball Opening Day on Monday, I felt the need to get my miles in today.

I didn't eat breakfast and I still think that was the right call given that my body was tapping into last night's glycogen's stores. I had coffee and water (8 oz) this morning, along with a 5 hour energy supplement.

During the run, I hyrdated with 16 oz. water + Hammer Nutrition's Heed.

Following a 5 minute warmup walk, I ran an easy paced warmup mile at 10:10 and then launched into my planned half marathon pace of 9:13. I took walk breaks for :10-:30 every half mile and that seemed to help my energy.

For the first 45 minutes, I listened to Runners Round Table #21 and was grateful to have it. I was hearing people I've tweeted with and it was interesting to hear them talk and hear more about their training. In fact, it added a great dimension of information I didn't have before. I heard from people like John Ellis, Dumprunner, Justin "MangoRunner," Toni Harvey, Eddie Marathon. Then I moved on to another podcast and heard from Kelownagurl, Quadrathon, and Steve from the south whose blog is named after his daughter.

These podcasts were good company on the treadmill. I was inspired to run as much as I did by listening to them.

I also thought of running twuddy @seriouschick, who also ran 11 miles today. I knew she was out there today getting her miles done and I wanted to have a good report to brag about. Well, today, not so much. I think what did me in was lack of sleep and fatigue. I'm confident her long run went much better.

Tomorrow will be a rest day. I have lots to do at the house, so "rest" will be defined by putting up a new mailbox, raking and picking up sticks in the yard, and FINALLY, at long last, putting in all the support screws in the attic stairs I installed LAST FALL.

Until next week's folks-Week 9 of Half Marathon training wraps up with 16.5 miles, most miles faster than my usual 10 minute plod, so I'll take the lesser miles with more intenstity. I felt MUCH faster this week.

Most importantly-thoughts and prayers to a new followee, a runner from Texas whose wife is terminally ill. Rawdomer-you have a strong spirit I wish you and your family peace and strength. I'm not a religious man, I do believe you find strength in your God and in yourself.