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February 08, 2008
Last long run
Well, here goes my last long run before the marathon on March 2. I've purposefully been choosing "hard" routes, that will challenge my body - so that the hills in Napa are "easy". The route for today is here. I will start at Wheellock Road, just east of Butte College, and meander through the back roads to Oroville, then head up Cherokee Road for a few miles to the turn around point.... Then come back. Total distance of 26 miles, with about 1420 feet of climbing. This is almost double the amount of climbing we will be doing in Napa, and should be a good test of how "ready" I am.
This run was supposed to happen last weekend, but the whole "Snow in Paradise" thing really threw off my schedule. I am now only 23 days out from the marathon - would have liked to have done this long run 4 or 5 days ago, but such is life. Assuming the run goes well, I should be able to be totally healed up in time for the race.
This will also be a "pace run" to see how well I can hold a 9' 15 seconds pace across a long distance - as that will be my goal pace, to allow me to come in at a 4 hour race time.
Doing the usual fuel belt and cameback for food and fuel, 64 ounces of gatorade, 32 ounces of water, couple of gels, couple of powerbars, and a refueling stop at the corner market in Oroville, at Cherokee Road. And yes, I get some pretty strange looks as I come hobbling in the store, looking like a wild eyed, addrenelin fueled endorphin junkie, buying gatorade, water, Red Bull and power bars.
Posted by Dennis at February 8, 2008 07:16 AM
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Comments
Nice effort as always Dennis - I understand the snow delay...haven't been able to do anything due to snow in Boise - I fully understand "cabin fever" again! Best of luck and keep up the great posts!
Posted by: Paul Lehman at February 9, 2008 10:56 PM
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the "good luck" wishes - after my run Friday, I'll need all the luck I can get to bring this run in under 4 hours. It seems the first three hours are great, but the last hour the "wheels fall off the bus".
Hope Boise is treating you well, take care.
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis at February 10, 2008 08:34 AM