I’ve had a couple people express horror, astonishment, and concern for my sanity about getting up early on Sunday morning to run eighteen miles. Well, let me explain!
In February I’m running a 50 mile race. Although maybe “race” isn’t really the right word. I’ll be making my way 50 miles from point A to point B before the time cutoff. Maybe “event” would be a better word for it, or even better yet, “adventure.” Let’s try this again.
In February I’m participating in a 50 mile trail adventure (there, that’s better.) To prepare for it, I’m gradually increasing my long runs. Since the race is a trail race, I run on trails whenever possible. This past Sunday I ran eighteen miles on a trail near my home. I was really worried about the heat (it was in the 70s and 93% humidity when I started), but it turned out to be one of the best long runs I’ve ever had.
I got started at 6:30 am and first ran a 10 mile loop (well, actually it was out-and-back, but somehow the trail looks different on the way back so I think of it as a loop.) I had my double hydration vest, so I could carry two bottles. One had water, and one had Tailwind, which is a powder that you mix with water.
According to the package, Tailwind has “everything you need.” It has calories, carbohydrates, electrolytes, and the raspberry flavor also has CAFFEINE. Well- I can tell you that somewhere around four or five miles into this run I started to feel AMAZING. Was it the Tailwind? Very, very possible.
After 10 miles I ran back to my car to switch out my bottles for cold ones, and went back out for an 8 mile loop. I kept waiting for the heat to get me, but it never did. At one point it even RAINED, just a light sprinkling of cool drops, which is the best thing that can ever happen during a Florida run.
I finished the run actually feeling energized, and it wasn’t until after I stopped that I realized “Hey, it’s pretty hot.” I checked the weather and the “feels like” temperature was 89F. HOW DID I NOT FEEL THAT??? I have no idea. I felt awesome.
I know it sounds hard, and maybe even unpleasant, but honestly there’s no place I would rather be on a Sunday morning than out on the trail.
Do you have any trails near you?
If you run, have you ever tried Tailwind?
37 Responses
I totally understand you, I enjoy long runs more than any other type of runs. they are long, hard, daunting sometimes, but I always feel great afterwards.
unfortunately I don’t have access to trail near the city, I wish there is one that I can go. Trail running is so pleasant.
Running long is much easier for me than running fast. Sometimes I feel really drained from the heat afterwards (but not this time!) I can see why it would be hard for you to run on a trail where you’re living- maybe the next time you relocate?
This sounds amazing, Jenny. I love that feeling when everything clicks and you’re in the zone. And calling your 50 mile trail run an adventure is such a great way to frame it!
“Adventure” is definitely more appropriate than “race.” There might be some people racing it, but I”ll just be out there soaking it all in and trying to get to the finish.
I love it! I am so glad that you are finding your groove and I love it when those long runs feel, dare I say, “easy.” I remember training for my first marathon and getting into the 16-18 mile range. I was in Missouri at the time and it was SO hot and humid. We did not have Tailwind back then; there were only Gus and I tried one for the first time on my 16 mile run and nearly vomited. It was so sweet. Tailwind is definitely an improvement, 100%. I personally do not love the amount of salt they put in, as I am not a huge sweater, but I have so many friends who use and love Tailwind. I usually stick to edible things, and chews (Honey Stinger is my favorite, gummy bears, although they have no electrolytes, are a good option too) are my favorite snack.
Fueling options have improved IMMENSELY. I also remember when Gus were pretty much the only option. I’m still trying to find more actual foods I can eat on long runs- it’s a work in progress.
Jenny, for ultras, I normally lean more toward protein bars (Kind bars etc.) since I am carrying a hydration vest anyway, I have room, and they are a better balance of nutrients, and are less sweet than most running specific foods.
This is AMAZING! I’m so happy for you and now secretly am desperate to try Trailwind because it sounds like magic. But really, I think it was just the fact you’re in great shape and had incredible weather and were doing one of your favourite things – a Sunday morning long run.
Well, the test will be when I use Tailwind on my next long run- I’ll see how I feel then! I think it was a day when everything just came together, but the Tail wind definitely played a role.
I’m so glad you had such an amazing long run, especially in the heat! And I’m impressed that you’re already at 18 miles for your long run with your 50 miler still a few months out! Do you know how long your longest run will be in training?
I haven’t tried Tailwind yet but I did buy a few packets of their seasonal apple cider flavor, just waiting to try it out when it’s not as hot lol! Usually I just do electrolyte tablets & LMNT in my water and then take Spring and Huma gels and Skratch chews.
I’ve never tried Spring gels but I want to. I have used Huma gels and liked them. For my long run… I’m not entirely sure yet. My longest long run before the 50k was 25 miles and I don’t want to go too much above that. I’m also planning to do a couple back-to-back long runs, so we’ll see.
That’s a really pretty trail!
It is! I love it.
Your training is paying off! I bet that’s what’s happening here – you’re just getting ready and doing a GREAT job!
There’s a park near my house with trails, but it’s pretty short – under two miles. It would probably be frustrating for you to have to do loop after loop to get a long run in, but it’s perfect for me and I love not being on the pavement.
i probably wouldn’t want to do a really long run on that trail, but I would happily do shorter runs there! I remember you’ve mentioned it in previous blog posts.
Hee hee…you know you have a lot of non-runner readers when you have to explain why running 18 miles in preparation to run 50 miles is “fun”.
When long runs stopped being fun that was my cue to give up long races. HOWEVER I do remember the magic of a great long run – the weather was perfect OR the weather wasn’t perfect but it didn’t affect my running so it was the same thing. Running in the rain is magical.
Yes, not every long run has been fun. That’s why this one really seemed special. And I’m sure if I didn’t run, I would think running 18 miles was insane.
You are inspiring!
I can’t imagine feeling great after that distance or that temperature.
I will say that my last half was on a trail – a flat dirt one and my body liked it better.
We have many trails around here… a few flat ones… but I race on pavement so I train on pavement.
No on Tailwind. I prefer plain water. I tried Gatorade during the marathon – blech.
Well, I couldn’t imagine feeling great in those circumstances either until it happened! Just goes to show- you never know. Don’t get too upset about the weather forecast!
Gatorade is SUPER sweet- I can see why you didn’t like it.
Well, I can not imagine doing a 18 mile run on Sunday at 6.30. We are living different lives. But I can understand the excitement and rush after having a great. run. So I am happy for you.
And what an adventure you prepare for.
Thank you Tobia! I think the main thing I love about blogs is, I like reading about everyone’s different lives. If we all had the same life it would be so boring!
I love everything about this. Being out there logging your miles can be so rewarding.
And I definitely want some of that Tailwind to try… LOL sounds like it has super-powers.
So awesome when a long run makes you feel so amazing. Go you!
It does! Especially the caffeinated flavors, apparently. You can order just a couple single-serve packets to try it out.
That sounds like a fantastic long run. You must be getting into good shape for your “adventure”. I love running on trails. The coastal path near us changes from pavement to trail about 5km from us which is pretty good, but we have some other trails between 40-60 minutes from us as well.
I think it’s probably good to run a mix of trails and roads- running on pavement is good for your bones. It’s nice that you have some trails close to you!
What an incredible run. Thanks for sharing! I am shocked that you we’re not feeling the “feels like 89*” especially since it doesn’t look like there was much shade. It’s incredible how our bodies can just click and 18 miles feels great. So happy for you.
Thank you Noemi! Yes, there is HARDLY ANY SHADE in South Florida (which is crazy- we need it!) The heat has really been bothering me lately, so it was incredible that I felt so good on this run.
running adventure is an excellent reframe! and that trail is gorgeous.
Ha ha, I feel kind of silly calling it a race- that somehow implies that I’ll be running fast, which is not the case!
This is awesome! It would also be awesome if you somehow magically discovered the secret sauce to feeling amazing during your long runs. Back when I was a “runner” I really didn’t enjoy the super long runs that much. I think maybe since I only ran races really for a couple of years, I maybe just didn’t have a sufficient base that it never got “easy” exactly? I don’t know. I also found it mentally overwhelming to just have so much of my day taken up! I remember running a 20 miler and being like, ok, this is nice, but it’s taking me like 3 hours and it’s Saturday and I have other stuff to do today…. haha.
Yes, time is a real issue. That’s why I’m constantly shifting my long runs between Sundays and Wednesdays. It’s hard to be gone for so many hours on a Sunday morning- but then it also can be hard to reserve those hours on a Wednesday when I’m trying to squeeze in other things, like appointments and errands.
I’m wondering it you’re more of a faster runner, who doesn’t long distances. I’m the opposite- it takes a lot of work for me to increase my speed, but running for a long time comes easier.
I always felt such a sense of accomplishment after my long runs. Something about totally expending all of your energy and then feeling energetic at he same time. Finding the right fueling and hydration definitely takes some time. Looks like you are in a great place all around. Living vicariously through your training at the moment
If I was doing a run over 5 miles, there would definitely trails around where I love. Admirable, really. I leave the long runs to my husband 😉
I have never tried tailwind. I run, but compared to what you do . . . I’m not sure that I can call it running anymore. 50 miles. I am gonna have to process that. Holy Cow. I belong to the Arboretum near me and I always say that I should run there, but it’s easier to run near home. There are loads of forest preserves I could go to also, but I just run in the suburban streets near my home. Boring.
I am glad you had a great long run! It’s been so long since I have done long runs but I enjoyed that part of the training cycle when training for races as I could run them at a conversational pace. My other workouts were things like hills and speedwork so it was nice to slow down for a change or not run hill after hill after hill!
We do not have trails around us. I would have to drive to get to trails and I hate to have to drive to run somewhere when we have great paved running trails in our neighborhood. But if I lived close to trails that would be so appealing to me!
I think the caffeine + fuel sounds AMAZING. I hope that you have more fabulous long runs as you continue to prepare for your adventure. 🙂
How wonderful! I love tailwind, though I have a BIG bag of it and am wasting it by only running a few miles at a time at the moment. I usually have it a tiny bit more dilute than you’re supposed to but it really does do the trick for me.