Lessons, Learned

Yesterday I set out for 18k, my longest long training run yet, fully prepared. I couldn't believe how prepared I looked as I passed the hall mirror on my way out the door: Spibelt AND wristlet AND water bottle? I was dripping gear. I had a new route all plotted out in my head, but also mapped out on my computer in case Devan needed to send out a search party. Even my blood sugars were conciliatory: 8.0 and steady, a perfect starting number.

I ended up running 22k completely by mistake.

My Google training calendar was not pleased with me, not at all.

My plan was to run north and east, catch the Belt Line, loop through Mt. Pleasant cemetery, enter the ravine system, let it dump me back onto St. Clair and end up around Bathurst. Then I'd grab the streetcar and head home--1:30 mins, 1:40 tops. And it would have worked out that way (near perfect!) if I hadn't forgotten my Metropass at home. 8k into the run I realized I didn't have my pass or enough change to get myself home. I balked. In an effort to shorten the overall distance, I just headed north, thinking that I'd run into the cemetery sooner or later. This became my 1st Time Getting Lost. Who knew the UCC campus could be so confusing?

I finally found the Belt Line, and then the cemetery. I thought things were smoothing out until I hit my 2nd Time Getting Lost. Mount Pleasant is all curvy roads that lead NOWHERE. I did come across a map...one that had two separate 'You Are Here' dots marked on it. I walked in circles for at least fifteen minutes. Ghosts were moving faster than me.

Finally, finally, I found Moore Park Ravine. This trail, at least, was consistent, even if I had absolutely no clue where I was in the city. I checked my blood sugar somewhere past the Brick Works and realized I'd been cruising along with a blood sugar of 3.5. This is probably the point where I started to cry: lost in the east end, dangerously low blood sugar, no phone, no Metropass, and miles to go. Assumed I'd see Death but all I saw were golden retrievers.

I kept going, and kept GUing. I made it to St. Clair and Bathurst, my original end point, and conceded to keep running. I'd hoped to run this one at an easy pace, but the longer it went on the more I just wanted to be back home--so I ran fast. Really fast. Too fast?

In the end, according to mapmyrun and my shitty watch, I ran 22.2k in about 1:55. That is definitely NOT easy long run pace, but it does give me hope for the Scotiabank Half and future races. I'm wiped out today, but my legs don't ache very much. And, apart from my panic attacks, I felt good the whole time.

Lessons I learned:
1. Bring Metropass if planning a route that requires a Metropass to get home.
2. Bring phone, why not.
3. The east end is terrifying.