Week 13: Fourteen miles

20:40 second run/walk ratio
4:00 hours
14.46 miles
16.6 minutes/mile

It was a hot one today, so I got up early—5 AM—and got my morning chores done so I could get to the park by 6:15 AM. I drank a protein drink before I left, and I think it helped keep my energy up for four hours. It was also nice to get most of the run out of the way before it got too hot. It was around 65 F this morning when I got started. I think it was at least 85 F when I finished.

It was a good run! A bit slow, because of the heat, but I felt good the whole time and didn't have any trouble keeping up my run segments. When it started to get hot, I drank water and used a wet handkerchief around my neck and dumped water on my head, and I didn't feel too hot. I do think I should get a visor to wear instead of a hat. I soaked my hat so it would carry heat away from my head, but occasionally I'd take it off and my head felt much cooler without it. But I do like having the bill of the cap to keep the sun out of my eyes. I don't like wearing sunglasses when I run because they get too hot and steamy. I also want to get my hair cut short-short so it will keep my head cooler.

I took two gels with me, and ate both of them, one at around 8 miles and the other at around 12 miles. I think they helped, too. I used just about my whole water bottle, both drinking and soaking my handkerchief and hair. I had another bottle in the truck if I'd needed it, but I didn't quite. Fortunately, I didn't need the bathroom, because it was locked today. Aargh! I walked around the playing fields afterwards to see if there were water faucets/fountains I could use if the bathrooms were locked, but they had their valves taken off so they couldn't be used. Guess I'd better just take all the water I'll need, just in case. And hope the bathrooms are open on the days I do my really long runs!

I'm tired now but still feel pretty good. I think I'm getting the hang of this! I keep reminding myself that the long runs are going to get much longer as they go—I'm just over halfway there with 14 miles—but I'll just have to take them as they come and worry about one run at a time. Today's run is done, anyway. So far, so good!