Water is a Good Thing!

Inadvertantly tested my ability to run while being totally dehydrated today (short answer: it is not one of my big strengths).  Did a long run with my running buddy - we got dropped off about 22 miles away and then ran home.  It was hot (low 80's) and the route we chose was pretty much exposed, dusty and for the last 10 miles, into a headwind.  In all, pretty spectacular planning on our part!

Started fast, feeling good, had a few sips of water at mile 3 from a fountain.  Then kept going reasonably fast, but found no more water until mile 13.5.  By then we were completely dried up - no longer sweating.  So the combination of no water, heat, wind, and a 1:40 half marathon, left us feeling pretty crappy.  So after drinking way too much water we set off again, now running into a headwind.  The next 5 miles sucked, it was on the road, hot & windy, a boring route by the freeway, and of course, there was no water.

At mile 18.5 it became a deathmarch home - running from water fountain to water fountain, but by then the damage was done, and no matter how much we drank it was all messed up.

Finished at exactly 23 miles in exactly 3 hours.  So not too bad, but certainly a lesson in hydration for me.  Took me a good 45 minutes and about 53 gallons of gatorade to start feeling normal again.

Rest of the week was good, with a tempo-ish kinda run and some good hills on Friday.  Total was over 74 miles, which is my highest since last July.

Next week should be mid 60's but it's a little weird as we are off to Virginia on Saturday, so I need to run my long run out there somewhere.