24

In order to participate in the trail maintenance day on Saturday, I moved my long run to Friday.  I put it out on the TM group site that I was going for 22-24 at Bradbury on Friday, but I had no takers; people work.  So, I'd be alone.  I like running with people, but also love running by myself.  I just made sure to have my cell phone and to have someone know what trail I'd be on.  I planned to run the Bruiser course without the Island and O trails.  I figured that'd be about 8 miles and I'd come back to my car after each lap for refueling.

After bonking on my last long run, I really wanted to concentrate on keeping hydrated and fueled.  I brought 2 - 8oz bottles of Gatorade and a Jet Blackberry Gu (my new favorite flavor) in my Fuelbelt.  The plan was to note landmarks at 2 mile intervals and make them be the "aid station" on the loop.  I hoped this would make me remember.   This sort of simulated Pineland (3 loops with frequent aid stations).  I think I usually stop and partake at all the aid stations except the first there. 

I'd also brought my camera along with me.  After my first few shots, I realized I didn't want to add that much time to my run.  OK, I'd drop it back off at the car after the first loop.  I decided that would ensure I'd see really cool stuff on the next loop and then allow me to take it on the last lap when I might need the distraction and excuse for some stops.  The plan kind of worked.  It was on the second lap that I had the deer run across my path (I'd never have gotten a shot of them anyway), saw a pileated woodpecker, and a lone turkey.

The first 4+ miles I had dry feet (well, mostly dry...my shoes hadn't dried all the way).  The trails were really good.  There were puddles and mud, but none deep.  It wasn't till the beaver pond bridge that I got wet, very wet with lots of crap getting in along with the water.  Oh, well!  From there I got muddy, too.  The snowmobile trail had lots of deep mud left.  I was very happy to get off it and back onto the single track of the Ginn and Fox West (my favorite section of the Bruiser).

Back in the parking lot, I refilled my Gatorade bottles, had 1/4 of a PBJ, 1/2 of a Honey Stinger Wafer, and more Gatorade (just enough to wash the food down). I had planned to change out of my tights and long sleeved shirt, but, since I wasn't changing my shoes till the last lap, decided not to change the tights.  It did feel good to get in short sleeves; it had definitely warmed up.  I hoped I wouldn't regret leaving on the tights, but just didn't feel like struggling to get the tights over the shoes or taking off the muddy, wet shoes.

Back out.  I didn't feel at all cautious about any of the mud or puddles.  At this point, I probably made them dirtier!  I was faithful to taking in fluids at the "aid stations".  I ate the last 1/2 of the Honey Stinger Wafer on the run and was very happy to find how easy it was to eat.  It's a good way to get in calories (160 in each Wafer) and yummy, too!  I had the Gu about 5 miles in (while slogging through the deepest mud of the snowmobile trail).  This was about the same place I regretted not changing into shorts.  I was getting hot.  When I drained my Gatorade soon after, I made a note to bring a third bottle on my final lap.  I was sweating pretty good.

So, after my 2nd lap, I ate another 1/4 PBJ, 1/2 Honey Stinger Wafer, and drank ~ 8 oz of Coke.  Refilling my bottles, I discovered I lost one out there somewhere.  Not to worry, I'd pick it up on the last lap and had actually brought 2 xtra with me.  I change outta the tights into shorts and also changed into a fresh sports bra and tee.  The best part was getting out of my wet, muddy, silt-filled Inov8s and into a second, dry pair with clean, dry socks.  Ahhh!  I remembered to put the camera back into my belt.

I was amazed at how good I felt.  Then I reminded myself that I felt good on my last long run till around mile 19.  This just made me more vigilant about taking in fuel and fluids.  Somewhere before the Bruiser crosses the top of the snowmobile trail over onto the Scuffle side of the Ginn, I spotted a geo-cache.  Fun : )

Normally I don't mind getting wet and muddy.  Usually that's just fun.  This last lap, I was a little less enthused about the water crossing.  I was still enjoying my shoe change.  Oh, well.  They were just going to get super muddy on the snowmobile trail anyway.

Beaver Lodge (about 4 miles in)

Close up

More flooded than last week

The only snow I saw

Geo-cache contents

Ditto

Why I didn't spot it till the 3rd loop - See it?

I finished up feeling quite happy with myself.  My refueling/hydrating went quite well.  I enjoyed the Bradbury experience and got in 24.34.  Just two long runs left before tapering.  Wow.