Monday: 6m easy 10:30/pace, Crossfit

Tuesday: 8.1m interval (5 x 1000s @6:40/p)

Did you guys get the memo that the DC area was super hot this past weekend? Like 104 and extremely high humidity with lots of heat advisories? It was stupid hot out. But I did it, I finished the 50k with a smile and a great friend.

I started at 6am, not in an attempt to beat the heat (that wasn’t possible), it was 80 and humid before the sun was up. I turned on Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People podcast and took off for what I knew would be a very long, very difficult, hot, humid run.

The first 10 miles flew by, I kept as close to a 9:45-10:00/pace as possible. I was eating Honey Stinger gels every hour and drinking plenty of water. I figured the best defense I had in this weather would be to front load as many calories as possible so later when I didn’t feel like eating in the heat, I wouldn’t bonk. For the most part, this worked.

Around mile 14.5 I met friends on the Capital Crescent Trail and took an 8 minute break. They had the station stacked! Coconut water, a Honey Stinger Waffle and orange slices. I ate as much as I could and took off again with the coconut water and a fresh bottle of water in hand. I was so surprised by how many people were out biking, walking and running that morning. It was seriously disgusting out. I had to chew the air and paddle with my arms to move forward.

My next meet up was with Deena. This is where I started having trouble. Checking in with myself, like I often do in distance runs – body felt excellent, brain was alert, I was super fueled, but of course in humidity like this, I was having trouble. Mile 20-24 was rough. I couldn’t take a deep breath. I could only inhale short, shallow breaths. I don’t have asthma, but I can imagine this feels similar like breathing through a straw. The humidity simply wouldn’t allow normal airflow to my lungs. Which made me anxious, angry and upset. My body was more than ready to run, but the humidity stopped me over and over again. I was walking more than running trying to make ground to get to Deena. I was over 45 minutes behind my scheduled meet up.

After the longest walk/run segment of this race, I made it to her. I trudged over to a wooden railing, sat down and felt my face get hot and my eyes tear up. I couldn’t control it. I was upset I was so behind schedule, I was frustrated the run was going to take longer than I wanted, I felt bad I made her wait so long, I still couldn’t take a deep breath (which after all the slowing down was very disheartening.)

Deena gave me everything I needed, a pep talk and a Coca-Cola. Then we started our 4 mile segment. The caffeine and sugar helped a ton, and I needed the company during those last miles. Walk/running and catching up on life made the few miles go by faster than the previous ones.

Finally done!

It was a long race, i felt good through 21 miles and if it wasn’t 100 degrees and could breathe normally, i feel like i would have completed the 31 miles feeling strong. At the end of the day, it wasn’t about me or a time goal. It was about the money being donated to the National MS Society ($1250 total!) and running the 31 miles to signify my 31st birthday.

Once Deena and I showered we headed to lunch at Full On. I had a glass of deserved sangria and a crab cake sandwich.

Then I napped. For like 2 hours. Next on the day’s agenda was a Nationals game. It was Star Wars Day at the park and the perfect way to end the day.

Sunday was spent sitting on the couch, rehydrating, dehydrating, Olympicizing, and movie watching…oh and eating tiramisu and macaroons.

Someone loves sugar as much as me…

Last Week

Monday: Crossfit

Tuesday: 8m interval (6 x 800s @ 6:35/pace)

Wednesday: Crossfit

Thursday: 9m tempo (6m @ 7:49/pace)

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 31m ultra

Sunday: Rest

Total Miles: 48

What’s your favorite birthday dessert?