Saturday, July 08, 2006

Home Run!

It is good to be back home from 2 weeks in Alaska followed by a 1 week family reunion vacation in Deer Creek State park, Ohio. The 3 weeks flew by and on most days I couldn't tell you what day it was. I managed to get in some decent training and it paid off on today's 15 mile long run. Today's weather was a hot 81 degrees and 55% humidity. I took off running from my home without any water hoping to find some along the route. By the time I made the turnaround to head back home there was no water to be had. I knew I needed water but my head was still clear and I wasn't hallucinating so I was hoping to survive the last 6.5 miles back home safely. To top off the run there is a 6 to 7 percent incline of 2 miles to the finish. Thinking of the ice cold water in the fridge kept me going to the finish. I managed to keep a steady pace of a 7:04 per mile to finish in 1:46:07. And I know I am tempting the running gods when it comes to hydrating on the long run. I don't think the Greek legend Phidippides wore a fuel belt or had much water on his long run. It was only after running 300 plus miles did he collapse and died. I promise I won't go that far. I'm working on fixing my water supply for my next long run.

More Alaska pictures:

Our ship the Zuiderdam at port in Juneau, Alaska

Cruising in the Tracy Arm near Jeneau

Exploring Mendenhall Glacier

Bus tour in Denali

My favorite picture in the Chugach mountains outside Anchorage.

10 comments:

Neese said...

yes do be careful, Runners World has an article about that in this months issue so now i'm super sensitive about hydrating!, good run though!

JeffM said...

Very good run, I've been having problems with 6 miles in 80 degrees. Great Alaska pictures, sounds like a fun trip.

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

Beautiful pics.

Deb said...

Looks like you had a great time. Glad your home safe and runnin!

qcmier said...

I almost never carry water, but plan my route to loop by places to get water. I'll bet if you trained, you could go out and do 300 miles. I think ELizabeth could run that with you.

Great pictures from Alaska.

E-Speed said...

Love all the pics Lou! Sounds like Alaska was fantastic!

Lance Notstrong said...

1:46 with no water? You're like a camel!!! :-)

Trifrog said...

Probably discovered some obscure training method whereby the body learns to do more with less water or suffer the adverse affects less.

Hilda said...

Great pictures and vacations!!

Kewl Nitrox said...

It must have been a good holiday if you can't tell which day of the week it is. That's how I judge my holidays - if I forget which day of the week I'm in, it's a good holiday! :)

And please go get a CamelPak! Don't take chances with hydration. Here is tropical Singapore, de-hydration and heat-stroke is actually one of the leading killers in the Army.