Just last year I was riding across the I-90 bridge gabbing with a friend and I swore up and down that I wouldn't be caught dead running across this thing.
I mean how un-scenic can you get? 1.5 miles of concrete with loads of cars right next to you.
Well today I was that guy - the one that is running across the I-90 floating bridge. Here's how that came about.
Last night I had grandiose plans. I felt like I had not done much this week so figured I would be pretty fresh today and since I had just signed up for the Loop The Lake Marathon I would just bust out the course today. Hell, just last Sunday I ran a trail marathon, this should be at least 30 minutes faster. Fuck yeah.
Uh... how about fuck no.
Shelley and I were headed to Brunch at noon so I couldn't dawdle. But then I did and didn't leave the house until 20 minutes later than I had intended. As I started to cross the bridge I was doing the mental math while I was realizing that I was hating life! It took me only a fraction of the 1.5 mile crossing to realize that 26 miles would be stupid and so I opted for a lap around the island instead. I have ridden this route a zillion times but have never run it. Chalk up another first I guess.
As I crested the rise at the east end of the bridge where the path crosses West Mercer Way I was already walking for the first time. Not because I was blown but my head was just not into this workout. Big time. I took a sip of gel, chased it with some water and soldered on.
By the time I got to East Mercer Way I was walking for the third time already... :( For a minute I started to get worried if I was going to be able to finish this run. Since I was already walking I took a detour into the trees for a 'natural break' and that revived me some. Unfortunately not much.
The rest of the run was pretty dismal. I would run one or maybe two miles and then need to walk. Repeat. It seemed every time I glanced down at my GPS watch it told me I was crawling. I tried not to focus on my run and instead tried to notice some things that are different when you run around the island compared to when you ride.
- Familiar turns/hills/descents take MUCH longer to show up. You know they are just around the corner...
- Descending while running is not nearly as restful as when you are on a bike. Although it did feel good to run the two significant descents on this route.
- While running I found myself constantly looking for a shoulder/grass/leaves/gravel. The pavement was wearing me down big time.
- Cars seem closer when you are running.
As I was running back across the bridge I saw Rick Benson and RC Rogers heading out with the Fisher Plumbing gang. I waved and RC waved back.
As ridiculously hard as it was to go fast around the island I positively bounded up the stairs at the end of my run. One tiny saving grace. I had hoped (expected?) to go under 8:00 pace today easy. Not.
| Sleep | 7 |
| Waking HR | |
| Body Weight | |
| Body Fat | |
| Breakfast | 5:15 AM - 2 bananas w/almond butter, water |
| Lunch | |
| Dinner | |
| Workout Food | water, gel |
| Injuries | |
| Therapy | |
| Time of Day | 6:20 AM |
| Workout Type | endurance |
| Weather | mid to upper 40s, dry sky, damp ground, calm |
| Course | |
| Results | |
| Time | 2:20:11 |
| Distance | 16.9 miles |
| Pace | 8:17 |
| Equipment | Brooks Launch, Ultraspire Surge |
| Clothing | Teko organic SIN3RGI Light Minicrew, Brooks Infinity Short III, Craft long sleeve undershirt, Brooks Podium LS shirt |
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