BONK! (really)

Sometimes I just have to relearn lessons.  Based on the lessons from this weekend, apparently I periodically need reminding of those things I have already learned but forgot.  Saturday was one of the days . . .

Saturday is go long day.  The long run was scheduled to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 miles.  I slept in after the baseball game and fireworks Friday night because it felt good.  I tried to convince myself (and others) that I slept in to avoid the light morning rain, but who am I kidding?  I didn't feel like getting out of bed.  After assembling the necessary tools of the trade, I finally made it to the trail head at about 10 am.

I knew I needed some fuel to power my run, so I threw down a couple shot blocks before I left the house and brought along two packets for the run.  I usually only need on package for a run less than 12 miles, but my thought was "two packets don't weigh that much and better to be safe than sorry." Famous last words.

The run started out just as expected, nice and easy.  I kept focusing on staying loose and slow.  The plan was to fuel at miles 4 and 8 with the possibility of picking up the pace around mile 6.  I also opened the door to going further than 10 miles.  About two miles in I began to feel uneasy.

Instead of spending much time trying to figure out what was going on, I continued to focus on the run and plan.  Soon, I was losing steam and finding it difficult to keep the pace--I was bonking!  I continued to attempt to run through it, unwilling to alter my plan.  Finally, when I thought I might pass out, I made the decision to fuel earlier than planned. 

I slowed to a walk and took down some fuel.  I first thought 4 shot blocks were enough, but when I couldn't feel the effects and I tried to run, I consumed three more. So, after using up almost all of my fuel within the first three miles, I resumed my run with all the vigor I could muster. I did complete 11 miles total which feels like a success under the circumstances.

I do remembered a previous run where the same thing happened.  I recall thinking, "next time I need to fuel quickly so it makes it into my system as soon as possible to recover quickly."  I wish I would have remembered that little tidbit at mile 2, instead of mile 11.  Oh, well.  Next time I will try to eat more for breakfast and take in fuel as soon as the world starts closing in.  Hopefully.