The LSD run was definitely interesting yesterday morning. This was my 2nd go at a solo, 17-miler at 5am on a Wednesday morning, and although it went a lot better than the last time, I definitely learned a few things:
1. Running long and alone can be a bit lonely: there were times when I absolutely enjoyed it and was able to relax and soak in the sounds of nature and the rising sun. Unfortunately, I more frequently wished I had someone to talk to and make the time pass more quickly.
2. Running long alone makes you mentally tougher: see #1 above. You simply cannot rely on someone taking your mind off the task at hand.
3. Running sans music makes you tougher: see #2 above. They’ll be no regularly diversions in the form of music come race day, so you shouldn’t get too dependent on that Eminem song to provide you with a pick-up at a critical point during the run come race day.
4. It’s still very dark at 5am.
5. I sweat like a baboon in a sauna: I took in 46 oz of water on my run and still lost about 6lbs.
6. Running slower during your LSD runs helps with recovery: I’m only 32 hours removed from my run but I feel great. I slowed my pace from our typical, Lanza-induced 6:50-6:55 pace to a 7:10 average, where I went out at 7:15 for the first half and picked it up to 7:05 for the 2nd half. Not a huge, huge slowdown, but I definitely already notice it. My main goal – aside from finishing the run – was to not have it affect my training today. We’ll see how that goes tonight on the group ride, but I feel I’m on track.
I’m definitely not ready to go it alone all the time, and I’m certainly hoping to have some company for at least half of my long runs, but I’m glad I made the solo trek yesterday morning.
