16 Miles

Today was the 16 mile training walk for the Portland Marathon. It wasn't too bad. I finished with a pace of 14:33/mile. Slower than my half pace, but I also didn't have people in front of me that I was pacing with. It was a lovely walk along the Willamette River in Eugene and Springfield.

How am I feeling? Today my legs are sore and they were keeping me from taking a nap. I am tired - but I think more from the fact that I have a nasty head cold and was not able to sleep very well at all last night.

Energy wise I did really good. This time I packed almonds, peanut butter crackers, two string cheeses, a fiber bar, and a small turkey sandwhich. Before I left this morning I ate two eggs and a whole wheat English muffin.

At mile six I started feeling hungry and my stomach was growling. I broke out the crackers and immediately felt better. My pace picked right up. At mile nine, again I was feeling hungry and my stomach was growling. I pulled out the almonds. Again I felt better and stronger. At mile 12, I ate one piece of cheese - more becasue I felt my pace was really starting to slog (slow+ lag) down. I didn't eat anymore until I was back to the car. It is remarkable to me to be able to tell such a difference in how I feel while walking with the whole fueling of the body thing.

Last week after finishing the Mt Jefferson hike, I got really messed up. I thought I had done a good job of fueling myself, but realized I had too many carbs and not nearly enough protein. Today I went for the protein snacks and it seems to have really helped.

I have two weeks of 10 milers for endurance and then it will be 20 miles. This will be down on the Row River trail in Cottage Grove. I look forward to it.

I am still speculative as to whether or not I will actually finish this thing I have committed to, but I won't know if I don't try.

I've had quite a few more zero days this month, but with all the long hikes, I have been able to keep up a pretty good average. I have really enjoyed some of the longer hikes in Corvallis as well. Friday - I did Oak Creek to Fitton Green, where there is a nice new letterbox sitting out in that gorgeaous meadow up there. I have also left a letterbox up on Dimple Hill and managed to leave a box behind at Jefferson Park as well. Hopefully tomorrow the kiddos and I will get to hide another one on the Mulkey Creek trail in Corvallis.

This months totals to date -

Miles moved = 115.3
Calories burned = 13092
Daily Average = 5.24