Gearing Up for the Final Push

My time up north was great, though way way way too short.  As my Mum puts it, “this place refills your soul”… and she is right.   The time went so quickly.  Got there late (LATE) Saturday night.  Was supposed to do my long run on Sunday, but thanks to Delta, that didn’t happen till Monday...my bag was still in Atlanta on Sunday morning.  Figures too – Sunday was the PERFECT day for a long run.  Though they did have to drive my bag all the way up to the cottage.  Pretty crazy.  

So, we relaxed on the new waterfront deck (A+ btw if you are reading, Andrew).  Had a great swim in the lake, amazing how I don’t even think twice about jumping in and going now…used to take me a bit to stop thinking about what might be coming up from the depths of the water to eat me alive.  lol.  But I’ve done enough OWS’ing in the last few years, doesn’t really phase me anymore.  Even with the dark water that is Neighic Lake.  Felt like I could’ve done my loop a few more times too, which was a great feeling.  With that out of the way, we chilled with a few Caesars, grilled some fish for dinner, and watched the sunset. 

Monday came, and you guessed it, RAIN.  Of course. Lots of it.  By 11:30, I finally said to Mum that I had to run even if in the rain, because it could not wait till Tuesday.  So we headed out to the main highway, about 20 minutes up the road.  No rain there, and with the sun peeking through, it was starting to mug up.  Mum was an aid station rock star – she brought her book, and every 8km there she’d be with my water and gels.  Talk about being pampered!!  Damn.  She kept saying “I’m sorry it’s getting so hot” and I just laughed – this was nothing compared to what I’m used to!!  Had a really REALLY fabulous run.  Like, maybe one of my best runs ever.  2:45 was the prescribed time, and I ran 19.5 miles, at an overall 8:29 pace.  Rockin'!!!  And I’ll tell you, thinking about another 6 felt totally doable, which is the first time I’ve felt that way.  And it was all running – not a single walked step in there – and only stops were the short minutes at my “aid stations”.  I am definitely gonna be thinking about doing the Muskoka 70.3 next year.

my literary buddy

feeding Polka Dot

A few more swims and a mid-week recovery run, a few glasses of amaretto, playing with my chippies, some long chats and suddenly it was over.  It was really rather a shock to find it was Wednesday night all of a sudden and I had to go home the next day.  


It was great seeing Marvin & Sandy, and Kathy & Rich.  Thanks guys for the encouragement on the race…much appreciated.  And thanks to my Mum most of all, for being such a great mom.  

My Mum

One funny thing I realized about “perspective”.  I used to think Picnic Island was so far away, and swimming to it and back was a good workout (and this was just last year!)…now I look at it, and am shocked by how close it seems.  What a difference a year makes (and thousands of miles of training!).

Picnic Island...and as close as I got to the Loon this year
(see spec in middle of photo)

Yesterday was another century for Chris and me – Blazing Saddles Century, in Franklin, GA.  Let’s just say this – Chris said they should rename it to “Hotter Than Shit Century”, and that pretty much sums it up.  Damn.  98 degrees (without the humidex, and it WAS way humid too), no shade, no clouds (until mile 98)…it was BRUTAL.  Now, the route was actually pretty good – I liked it much better than some of the other centuries we’ve done this year.  Some good climbing but also some good descending.  We drove up on Friday night, and slept on the floor of the High School gym.  lol.  I think that is a first for me.  It wasn't too bad...me, Chris, and a dozen of our closest friends.  Would've been a little better if they would've at least turned off a few more lights!!  But I managed to get some sleep, and didn't have to get up quite so early on Saturday morning; it was a good option and no cost - god knows I've spent enough already! 

Yes, socks
instead of yet another tshirt!!

At any rate...we got going first thing, just before 7.  It was already hot and humid, but I felt pretty good, and my plan was to go a little easier in the beginning so I could hold more steady throughout, and to make sure I worked on the hydration side of the equation.  By the time I was 40 minutes in, I knew it was gonna be a long day.  My right glut was acting up again, and I just couldn't get any power out of it.  Pain yes, power no.  Hit the first rest stop, and stretched it out.  Worked okay for about 30 minutes, and then started hurting again.  This was to be the pattern for the rest of the day, though the "good" period dropped to about 20 minutes of okay after each stretch session.  At least I could keep going, and knew I'd need massage and Dr Sadri next week.  Calorie-wise I was keeping up, and feel pretty good about that side of things.  Hydration on the other hand...it was just so hot, I honestly could not get any more down.  I downed 5.5 bottles of Infinit at 275 calories each, and about 4 additional bottles of just water.  I simply could not fit anything more in my stomach, but it was not enough.  At the 5 hour mark, I was really ready to be done, with still 15 to go.  So, pushed on.  The first 10 in the last stretch were actually pretty good.  Had Chris in my sights for at least 3 of them.  Felt pretty confident that I'd finish up around the 5:50ish mark.  I hit 96 miles with 5 to go, and literally the floor dropped out.  I could barely turn the pedals, I felt like I was going to throw up, and though I kept telling myself to just keep going, almost there, I actually had to get off my bike at 98.5 miles in.  Finally got back on, and somehow managed to get back (thanks for the kick-in-the-gut hill at the end), and rode over to the car.  Got off, told Chris I thought I was gonna throw up, he said "the heat finally got you" and grabbed my bike.  I ran inside, though thankfully I did not get sick.  Took me a few minutes of lying on the bathroom floor and splashing water on my face to get up and going again.  Went back to the car, drank some coke, and actually went and ran. (pretty sure I surprised the shit out of Chris when I said yes, I'd run).  Knew I had to do it, no matter how bad I felt.  Who knows how I'm gonna feel after the bike in Canada, and I gotta run then if it happens - though it's unlikely I'll feel like this.  Got two miles in.  Kinda surprised me actually.  Chris had done one before I got back, so he had three.  Could've done another mile or two, but we decided to call it quits; we'll go longer on the run next Saturday - please GOD let it be cooler.

My annual pic on the deck I built
25 years ago...and the Scottish
flag of course

I did run this morning, though I am not ready to talk about that...will save that for tomorrow. 

Four weeks to go.  I do feel like I am starting to break down a bit here.  Have to admit that I really thought on the ride yesterday that "maybe I'm not cut out for this distance...should just stick to half's".  Chris says everyone feels like that.  Richard said "then you're training right".  Ha.  I told him that is what Chris would've said. 

So, time to pull it together.  Two more weeks of training.  Find a way to stay focused.  Almost there.  Finish strong.  Just focus on now.  Right now. 

Happy Training.  and keep your chin up.

Kat