Last Run before STWM

One more 5K run at a 5:30 pace before STWM.

Lunch Run ... slowing it down a bit.

5K done at a mostly 5:30 pace...it was easy! One more run between now and STWM , tomorrow the same as today.

Lunch Run

5K today mostly at a 5:00 pace. It was hard at first , groin acted up a bit and I felt tired but I soon found my grove and settled into the Run. A few K in I was suffering from indigestion . Not a great run but I did it. I had a busy day doing fall yard work .... tons of leaves. How I felt tonight means no more physical anything between now and Sunday. Planning 2 more lunch runs this week but at a 5:30 pace.

Taper continues ....

After some tough Running on the Beach in Cuba last week T/W/T/F I took S/S/M off and didn't run until this Eve. I wasn't sure what to expect after all the R&R ( That's Rum and more Rum) last week. Its also been incredibly stressful and busy since our return early Monday morning. Jumped on the treadmill and turned it up to a 5:00 pace and it felt super easy. I chatted with another fellow in the Gym for most of the Run. Did a total of 5K at the Marathon pace then geared down doing a 0.5K cool down. Tomorrow it will be the same as today.

More Running in Cuba

Didn’t run first thing on Thursday, instead I decided to do a mid afternoon outing. Held off to 3 Beers between noon and 2pm then headed the opposite direction on the Beach towards the tip of the Veradaro Peninsula. It was 30+C with high humidity but the strong breeze made it bearable. It was just a little out and back on the beach logging 5K in the sand. When I got back to the resort I did another 1.2 K at my 5:00 Marathon Pace. I then proceeded to the aid station, 3ozs of Dark Havana Club Rum …a Beer and then to wash it all down a glass of Water.

Friday was overcast so I was hoping for some rain or at least a little more bearable running conditions. The Surf was up and this created some very soft sand to run on using up way more energy to shuffle along. I was determined to log at least 13.8K today after yesterdays 6.2 and that is exactly what I did.

So its been 4 runs , just shy of 50K in Cuba this week. I may do another 10K or so run before we leave then rest Monday doing 2x5k lunch runs at my 5:00 Marathon pace then 2X5K lunch runs at a 5:30 pace before a day for rest on Saturday before STWMs Marathon.

Running in Cuba

In Cuba this week for a little break from the ordinary. It’s very hot and humid but that’s the main reason why I am here. The Tropical Weather does make for some challenging Runs. Pace is way slower on the Beach more akin to a trail race. After running the Toad on Saturday I rested Sunday and Monday logging a 10K on the Beach on Tuesday. Wednesday I was feeling a bit better and managed to log a very steamy 19.2K on the Beach. My Gutr Sweat Band wasn’t nearly as affective as at home, I quiet overwhelmed it. I was running with only one bottle of GU2O and was rationing it as the run progressed. If this trip was in the Spring I don’t think I could have managed the heat however after a long hot summer I am kind of use to this stuff…sort of!

Run for the Toad 50K , Oct 1-2011

First and foremost I have reached a blogging landmark....1000th Post!

Did the run for the Toad 50K race today. Wasn't sure how to approach this one today with STWN in 14 days. This week I decided in favour of racing the Toad and I walked away with a Toad PB today finishing the 50K in 5hrs19min55sec placing 64 out of 178 participants.

First two 12.5 laps were a dream , 1hr14min33sec then 1hr14min15sec ...for awhile I was thinking Sub 5 hours. Really felt like I was slowing down in the third lap , half way through my mood changed to "Lets get this lap done so I can get to the last one". Finished the third lap in 1hr20min03sec, I was beginning to slow. Going into the 4th and final lap I had done 4 gels and was drinking enough but felt that I wasn't getting enough calories. Gelled at the start and 4K in at the first aid station washing it down with water, coke and gator aid. I was getting quite fatigued but managed to keep moving along although at a much slower pace. I knew that sub 5 hours was out the window so I was aiming for 5hrs15min. Nearing the end of the loop the Gels and drinks were more or less sitting there and I was feeling rather nauseous but I managed to keep it down and keep going. With 3K to go 5hrs15min was no longer an option so I aimed for a sub 5hrs20min. Crossed the finish at 5hrs19min55sec a course PB by 8min47 seconds set back at the 2009 race, my first Toad 50K.

Next up is STWM in 2 weeks.