There's Wind and There's WIND

This past weekend I ran my first ever 20 mile road race. I've run a couple of 50k and 25k trail runs. I've also run several 1/2 marathons and 20 miles of a marathon before dropping out with a very tight ITB. BUT, I've never run a 20 mile road race. Why did I run it you might ask?

Well, I ran it to get in a good solid long run at a faster than normal pace. What I didn't bargain for was the wind. In a loop that runs roughly 5 miles North and then 5 miles South, we had a tailwind for the first 1/2 of each loop and a headwind for the rest of the loop. The first 5 miles were with a very slight tailwind, the next 3 were with a side/headwind that was a little bit strong, but not too bad. Miles 9-10 were pretty difficult with a direct headwind. Then we got to do it all over again. Only this time, the wind was howling. I've never struggled so hard in a race to run 6 minute miles....then 6:20 miles....then just under 7 minute miles.

So yeah, I sort of died. I ended up 5th overall in 2:07:14 or so. I had one of the fastest 2nd 1/2s in the race. Probably the 3rd fastest 2nd 1/2. It was a great workout and fit in well with my overall training scheme.

I've added swimming back into the mix. I'm a bit out of shape, but it's coming back. I've also added cycling. It's also coming back. I'm on a Fuji Team Issue carbon bike with full Dura 10 speed right now. I need to ride it before writing a review, but it is the best carbon bike that I've had...ever. And, it's carbon bike #4. Stay Tuned.