An All Day Affair.....

The longest run in a long while. I didn't write my blog last night: there would have been too many typo errors for Ewen to pick up on! There's probably still some...oh well!

Program : Long Run 32km.

This would have been my longest run in a long while. The day was cold, extremely windy & I didn't take my jumper off from start to finish & not starting till after 11:00 a.m., the run became an all day affair!

I chose Diamond Fields Road : soft dirt surface, less hills, no traffic except for the occasional property owners coming or going, some shelter from the cold wind & able to run in the middle of the road & avoid the cambers. Some of these folk, most of whom know me by now, passed me on their way out in the morning & I was still there, going backwards & forwards, when they returned late afternoon! How mad it must have seemed!

I decided, as suggested by Ewen, to do the 32km in 4 x 8km loops, out from the car 4km & back 4km...4 times. That way I had access to a gel, sports drink & water after each 8km & no need to carry anything...except myself! Small chunks (4 times 8km) are mentally easier to handle than 32km!

My plan for the first 2 loops (16km) was to keep heart rate very low (at 70%) no matter how long it took, slow jog & walking the hills when it went above 102bpm...& believe me, it did take a long time! The last 2 loops (16km) I picked up the pace to get heart rate up another level : 102-112 and for the last 8km 112+ whatever!

Splits for each 8km : 1:15 (HR avg. 97); 1:16 (HR avg. 99); 1:06 (HR avg. 109); 1:04 (HR avg. 115). All HRs between 70% & 80% of Max.
About 4.5 hours running time - add on eating/drinking at the car...probably 5 hours all up. 88.7km for the week.

I finished off with a warm-down by walking, ever so slowly, around the soccer field (about 7 minutes) where I'd parked the car.

I was very tired & these lucky legs were so stiff last night I nearly cried.....nearly, but I didn't! Instead I had a cup of tea & a lie down. I'd planned an early night, but I never do have one ...it's always midnight or later & it was again. I just get comfortable on the lounge, Jim waits on me (Oh dear!) & I can't be bothered moving....& I was enjoying "Silent Witness" that we'd taped on Friday night.

Feeling fine today, but having a rest day just the same!