Today’s long run–13.93 in Central Park, but essentially 14+ miles because Garmin got squirrelly on Great Hill (check the map below)–was done in tolerable summer heat. I set out to do this distance in under 1:50:00, and I accomplished that goal! That left me pretty happy.
Body things are the first thing to report. My limpy right leg again turns fine when I run, excepting the very beginning of runs when it is adjusting. I started to wonder if it was a shoe thing. My huge blister on my left foot had largely healed so I took off the skin last night, and it doesn’t seem to have blistered up more. However, my toes on that foot developed tiny blisters (again), along with a bloody toe because of a lapsed pedicure I couldn’t get yesterday. (My toes mold to each other, and it seems that one’s nail gouged the skin of its neighbor. No pain.)
But apart from the above, I felt pretty good. I didn’t try to set any time records–only hopefully run under 1:50. In doing that distance in 1:47:34, I did 7:43s, which was better than what I set for my Virtual Runner (7:45s).
Part of my success is probably attributable to taking water breaks at fountains in the park. I probably stopped about 5 times for water, for probably not more than 30 seconds or so. I have realized that staying hydrated aids my running performance, and without it, my performance drops off. However, despite hydrating, I did seem to ride dehydration a bit given some chills I experienced which seem to me to signal dehydration. I had (water-soaked) pasta Thursday night for dinner, then on Friday for late lunch/early dinner, and tried to keep hydrated on set during an overnight shoot I did into early this morning, and drank more than a bottled water before bed last night at 4:30am-ish. I was partially trying to counteract a Redline 7-hour energy shot I mostly consumed to make it through the shoot. (It didn’t pain my kidneys in the run.)
I was awakened just after 9am by the postman and decided to get up for my long run rather than sleep in. Now, I may nap. I had a bit of energy after my run so I hit the gym to do abs, glutes, arms, back, and pecs, then just had some salmon sushi, chocolate milk, and Naked Chai Spiced Cider.
I will deserve this pedicure later today if I can get it in.
EDIT: I found out that a) I actually did develop a blister in my big-blister section, and b) I dropped 5 lbs. today even with hydration! It was a very sunny day and where there was sun, there was intense sun.