Tech woes, freezing run and product testing

[C3PO]

After last week's mere 10K mileage, I was under no illusions about going on a long run today. But there's a marathon looming, and I can't take off any more time, so I forced myself out there in the afternoon, after getting my work for the day out of the way. My goal was 20K, and I decided to forego my usual run into town and up the big hill. I'd run about 14K, then turn and run to a tram. Nice and easy.

It was -9 out and pretty windy by the time I got to the harbour. My pace was just about where Mapmyrun wanted it. It was tough going mentally, though, and I was struggling by the time I got to 12K, so I turned at about the 13K point. I hadn't factored in that it would be getting dark, so running without contact lenses meant that I couldn't see the ground very well now, but I made it to my tram stop, relieved to have kept to the pace. I was a little disappointed, though, because I had only made it to 17.6K.

Then the fates intervened. I took out my phone to buy my tram ticket (you have to use an app), and the cold killed it. So I waved the tram goodbye, well aware that they have lots of inspectors checking people's tickets these days. And I looked up at the big hill, not really up to walking the 7K home. Then I remembered that my youngest was at his gymnastics class with my husband 2-3K down the road from where I was. So I walk/ran there, and was relieved to find my husband there and get a warm ride home.

I'm now ensconced in front of my wood-burning stove, and have had a cup of tea. I've plotted in the rest of my run, and it turns out that I ended up doing 20.2K. So at least I made my target distance. And I think I ended up doing one of my longest runs as well, as it ended up taking 2:40.

Fun facts. I brought my hydration belt, with water in one bottle and Lucozade orange in the other. First the drinking spouts froze, so I screwed off the caps to drink my water, then the caps froze too. The water pretty much froze as well. The Lucozade did better, but turned into slush, which was very nice.

I also brought my orange Lucozade gel, as I think roseabi had asked about it before. It was thick, but I can't tell if that was due to the cold or not - it wasn't frozen, but definitely chilled! It was not as sweet as most of the gels I have tried before, so I won't worry about accepting them at London.

It's a good thing I've already done a marathon or I'd wonder how I could manage twice this distance in such a short period of time from now.

[Lordi Marathon]

Good going in minus 9 conditions and in the dark! You did it! Phone batteries are pretty sensitive darlings in freezing conditions, it's happened to me plenty of times (50% charge becomes 4% or something silly).

[C3PO Marathon in reply to Lordi]

Thanks! I should have known better. When preparing for my December marathon, I brought my powerbank with me on the long runs.

[Gabby08 Half Marathon]

Woah, -9?! That’s seriously hardcore. Well done on covering that distance. Hope you’re enjoying being back in the warm now!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Doing brilliantly there! -9, brrr you are made of stern stuff! Well done on conquering the distance😊

[misswobble Marathon]

✊ Awesome 💪👍😃

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Well done - funny how the fates can lend a hand. Sounds like you are on top of things for London.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Wow, nicely done C3PO! Someone was helping you make your distance today

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Oof! Well done!!! That gel sounds all right, maybe I will try one...

[Hidden]

You did amazingly in -9. I am contemplating if I will even go out tomorrow in -2 and snow. I have a 13k planned and my last run before flying. I guess if you can do it then so should I.

[C3PO Marathon in reply to Hidden]

You should definitely do it. I didn't really want to go out, but I reasoned that I'm entering my last month of hard marathon training, so if I didn't get out there, it would have a serious impact on my training and finishing time. Especially as I'll have to do my next long run on Monday.

Since you have travel and a running break coming up, if I remember correctly, getting out there means you can be proud of yourself, and not end up being annoyed that you didn't get to do your run.