I was concerned coming into the weekend about both my back being sore, and my left knee being sore, neither of which bothered me this weekend. In fact, my 20 miler yesterday was one of the better ones that i’ve had in awhile, probably for a couple reasons. First, I think the fact I was off the previous weekend helped, but also because I hydrated properly and overall it wasn’t nearly as hot as is was in previous weeks.

I realized that I hydrated just as much as I had in previous week, using my 22 oz bottle, and 8 oz gatorade, along with stopping along the way for a 20oz aquafina at mile 15. It worked out well. I also found that I was making sure I drank fluids every 15-20 minutes, regardless of whether I felt thirsty or not. I think this made the difference. I also tried these things called “Sport Beans”, instead of using GU Gel, I find that the GU Gel’s are real hard on my stomach, they don’t always agree with me. The sport beans worked perfect as I could take a few at a time, for example I used half the bag in mile 14, and took the rest in mile 16. The other contributing factor that got me through was that I got out there at 6am .. yep, even on a Saturday. The sun was barely up when I started but even when the sun came up it didn’t make it out of the 60’s, so I didn’t sweat like crazy like if it was 90 degrees like in previous weeks.

I have to say that I noticed the biggest difference when I was done. I actually didn’t feel like I was going to die … I got right in the car and got on with my life (as I said). Imagine that, right after a 20 miler … the whole experience was just like race day in October (it really felt like October).

So I thought I would have trouble this morning with the 10 miler after such a good run yesterday, but sure enough, I did quite well on the 10 mile speed run. I kept less than an 8 and half minute mile the whole way, even though I was tired. It was about the same weather today as it was yesterday, just more cloudy, which isn’t always a bad thing.

So I survived getting back into things, and I’m really thankful I did take last Saturday off when I felt the pain I did. If you read the saga and the depression I went through last week with missing that long run, I knew it was the best thing to do. I was able to come back and do it another day.

This week features the most miles ever … I should hit 60 by the end of the week. Its going to be brutal, but I think i’m up for it. Well, off to rest, tomorrow is a weigh-in day, it should be interesting to see if I am continuing to lose weight or not, guess we’ll see.