5 hours on Carefree Highway

I woke up at 3am on Saturday June 18th, the day before Father's Day to run 30 miles. I don't know why but I have had it in my head that I want to run 30 miles and then 50 miles. I believe that the amount of miles someone runs is more mental than physical. I understand that a marathon distance is rooted in tradition and history and 30 miles isn't. That's the point. I know I'm not the first guy to run 30+ miles. Believe me I know there are runners out there that have run this distance and more on a regular basis. So I got up at 3 am to eat 2 hours before I got running so my solid food could have a chance to digest. After eating a couple waffles, a huge muffin and drinking some GU Brew with Chia seeds, I sat down to catch up on some TV and relax a little. I really didn't think about the run ahead as it really wasn't that big a deal. I got bored watching TV so I started my run a little early at 4:45am just before dawn. I new it was going to be hot so I planned for it.

Here was my plan:

I filled up my 70oz bladder in my Camelbak Octane LR , packed some salt tabs, and GU Brew portable tablets, 8 (GU gels with caffeine and without), a baggie of Chia seeds, some Advil. I put on several CW-X items including the Revolution Calf Sleeve, Pro Shorts to protect my tight hamstrings and the Ventilator short sleeved shirt to pull my shoulders back into the proper running position. I used the CW-X calf sleeves so I could use the new Injinji Midweight socks. These protected me from blistering between the toes and have a cushion on the sole for that added comfort. Last but not least, my Hoka Bondi B shoes.

Ya, that was a lot of tech huh? I remember in the late 70's and 80's my mom and dad shoe gueing their blue Adidas shoes with the yellow stripes. I have heard stories about my dad and his running partners putting opened Coke bottles in the frig so they became flat for the run the following morning. When I did my first Ironman in 2005 my dad asked me what my longest run was. He was concerned that I needed to "hit the wall" so my body could see what it felt like at a distance over 18 miles. Well as you can see by the list of technical items I used for my 30 mile run, the world is a different place that it was in 1980. Back to my premise that we can run further and be insulated from injuries more than ever.

So I started running with my Garmin 705 bike computer in my Camelbak (believe it or not I don't have a Garmin running watch). I was uber hydrated and fueled up. I know this because I stopped to pee 6 times in the first 30 minutes. I felt good about this as it was going to reach 97 degrees before the run was over. I was shooting for 30 miles in 5 hours, 10 minute miles. As I cruised along Carefree Highway, the cyclists started waking up and cruising by. Some solo, some just a few and some big packs of em. They had no idea that I was about 9 miles in my run of 30 miles. I'm sure they were thinking that I lived near by and was just out on a nice little jog, WRONG!

When I got to my turn around spot at Cave Creek Rd and Carefree Highway I watered up and checked my Garmin, 14.7 miles. CRAP! This meant that when I got back home I was going to be short of 30 miles. I would have to make up this mileage at the end of the run so I prepared for the mental anguish of running .5 more miles after I hit my doorstep. My knee was a little sore from ramping up the mileage so quickly so I went for my Advil. Nope. I think it bounced when I reached in my pocket for a GU pack. I didn't get any at this water stop but would later turn into a Circle K to get a package.

Recently, I raced a 300 mile Gran Fondo bicycle race, Tour De Kingdom, in Vermont only 2 weeks before this run so I had only put in 2-8 mile runs and 2-14 mile runs subsequent to this 30 mile endeavor. I was relying heavily on the CW-X Pro shorts, calf sleeves, Injinji socks and Hoka Bondi B shoes to get me through. And it did. I cruised back even hitting a couple runner's highs doing some "air DJ" on some great trance tunes....until about mile 27.

At mile 27 on the last hill into my hometown I got a little wobbly. I felt like Chris Legh at the Ironman in Kona. (remember the Gatorade commercial?) I know Chris and I'm sure he wouldn't mind that call it Legh legs. At the top of the hill was a cop shooting some radar on unsucpecting drivers. I was across the street from him kinda of stretching and I wondered to myself if he would let me sit in the cruiser and soak up some A/C? Probably not. I ate one last GU and walked for 5 minutes to compose myself. That hit the spot. I knew Starbucks around the corner was the last spot between me and the end so I stopped. It was about 9:30am or so and the place was crowded with weekend patrons enjoying their coffee. I kept my headphones on and walked directly to the bathroom and ran some cold water on my face and body, whew that hit the spot. I really could have used some comfort stations out there on my run with some sold sponges and EZUPs for shade. I guess that's what you get with your $100 entry fee.

I made it to my doorstep and checked the Garmin, yep 29.5 UGH. I dropped my Camelbak and held the Garmin in my hand and continued running. Checking every tenth of a mile until I got back home. 30.1 miles 4:49!!!! I grabbed the handle to my front door and it was locked. I was pretty exhausted so I knocked. No answer so I went through the garage. The kids were asleep still and Jodi was in a towel fresh out of the shower. Nobody missed a beat.

One of the take home's from this 30 mile run is that nobody can appreciate what you go through during your 5 hours on Carefree Highway. Not the cars passing by. Not the cyclists passing by. Not the cashier at the Circle K selling you Advil. Not the cop catching speeders. Not crowds in Starbucks. Not your kids still asleep. And not your wife. All supporting cast but none know what you went through for 5 hours on Carefree Highway that morning.