El Scorcho 25k 7/21/2013 midnight run

I was determined to have good lunch truck food with a beer this time.  Casey and I chose the shorter distance.  I would train through this race.

_long-term athletic goal
USADA investigation and other events shifted my view of athletic lives.  I reevaluated what I want out of endurance sports.  My running speed continued to improved, but many aspects of my pursue became numb routines.  While not sidelined, my body felt unrecovered most of the year.  

Every time I came to a fork between fitness and health, I picked the less healthy route.  “Why am I doing this?”

_running progress
I became proficient at 5k and half but failed repeatedly to hold pace beyond mile 20.  Other indicators also showed I was no longer a cardio animal.

I tried to hired a coach, but no one convinced me he could train me more efficiently than I could.

_new training method: Maffetone
I met Mark Allen after a RBM group ride.  He made every effort not to point out my approach to endurance was idiotic.  He credited Phil Maffetone for leading him to heart rate training.

Ultra runner Lucho finally turned me to Maffetone method via podcasts.  I initially dismissed the low heart training not because of lacking faith; I thought low HR would be boring and no fun.  I also avoided method because Maffetone did not provide clear training guideline beyond “listen to your body.”  I wanted clear schedule: pace, duration, and frequency.

After giving up on Hidgon’s program, I started Maff in July 2013.  Unexpected benefits
1.  I became less fearful of long runs.
2.  Nutrition became simple: No longer needed to watch carb during sessions.
The downside was the long training time ate into other aspects of my life.  I felt I should do more between sessions.

Nutrition was an important aspect of Maffetone method.  I did a half ass job <= social and time penalty involved.

It’s difficult to quantify the benefit, but 2 months into Maffetone method, my pace improved by 1 min/mile (unadjusted for lower air temperature). 

_race day
I woke up at 6am and rode the bike for 3.75 hrs followed by futile effort to collect data on Simmons boots.  I looked at the 4 exterior doors that needed paint.  The house continued to be a resource pit.

Casey and I found parking lot dramalessly.  I'd stay in Maff zone; Casey would go much harder.

_Nutrition
I did zero preparation and relied on on-course water.  I didn't need to ingest on-course calorie at that HR.

It was frustrating to hold back while others passed me.  2 laps into the race, I was the only one with energy for conversation.  I finished the race and felt relaxed. 

_#
avg/max HR: 139/145

parcipants:50k: 74; 25k: 329

splits/lap pace:
     5K       8:26/M
   10K       8:47/M
   15K       8:47/M
   20K       8:57/M
   25K       9:14/M
   overall: 8:50/M

_post race
Lunch truck & beer didn't feel appetizing.

Ol South Pancake House was known for its German Pancake. 
I couldn’t bear the thought of the sugar and white flour going through my system. 
A year ago, I’d jump at the chance of tasting new food. 
Casey and I each ate an omelet.  Healthy eating could be a pain.

Quads and hamstrings were stiff after 4 hours of sleep.  It took a while to get going for the afternoon 5-mile run.

upcoming events:
8/25 Hotter n Hell.  50-mile skate.  "C" event.
8/31 Vacation along Danube.  Minimize fitness loss & weight gain.
10/6 A2A 38-mile skate.  "C" race.
12/8 Dallas Marathon.  "A" race.