Stone Steps training run

Went to the Stone Steps course in Cincinnati yesterday to try the 50k training run. As I figured, it would show I had lost quite a bit of endurance by dieting over the summer. I had not done a long run since June at Mohican. With temps expected to reach 90+ the rest of this week, it may be a while before I can get my next long run in.

About 10 to 15 runners showed up for the low key event – not everyone arrived at 7 am -- several joined in thruout the morning. No unofficial sign in or time sheet this go around. A brief rain Friday evening had cooled the temps somewhat, but raised the humidity – especially noticeable when the sun rose higher. The first 3 loops (2 loops of 5+ miles & 1 loop of 3+ miles) went well & the pace of my group was within a couple minutes per loop of what I’m hoping to run during the actual race. As it got warmer & I tired, the next 3 loops were progressively slower – much slower. Approaching 6 hrs of running & coming up to the 7^th/ last loop (5+ miles), I was down to 1 cold drink – not enough to make it. I thought I had brought plenty, but drank more than I anticipated. All the other runners had run 2 to 5? loops & had already left as they had other commitments for the holiday weekend – so for the last couple loops I had no company, except for the crowd of people grilling out throughout the park. With the drink shortage, tired with no one to pull me along and with temps in the mid 80’s, I called it a day. So now I know where I stand endurance wise – a long way out!

I talked to several runners at the training run who had raced at Germantown in the high heat just last weekend (I made a wise decision to mark that race off the list early). Some of those same people are planning on running in the YUT-C 50k in Youngstown, OH on the same day as Hocking Hills. Each said I would like the event in Youngstown better because of the race organization & that the course had more trail & less road than Hocking Hills. A big difference to consider is: instead of a 4 – 4 ½ hr race morning drive, I would need to drive at least 6 hrs & find a place to stay the night as I don’t think I could handle running right after driving that long (actually 4 – 4 1/2 hrs is too long too – just before & after the race). I’m going to look at all these options again.