Long Run done on a school night!

I won't have time this weekend to go on a long run as I will be too busy partying but I couldn't live with the guilt of missing my LSR for the week so I made the decision to go straight after work this evening!

The plan stated 15 miles so as it's dark by the time I finish work I had the added challenge of trying to find a route that covered 15 miles without going onto unlit country roads!

When I set off I didn't have a route in mind and felt quite excited about just going where my feet took me! Where I live in Kendal is very hilly and to go anywhere you always have a hill to conquer. Unfortunately, trying to cover 15 miles within the town translates to a very hilly run!

Last week on my LSR I took energy gels with me and really didn't fancy them when it came to it but in order for me to keep going I forced them down!  With this in mind I decided to take energy gels as well as "proper" food with me this week which just happened to be in the form of a Mars Bar! 

I set off and it was a lovely cold but clear evening and I just ran and went where I felt the need to go!  I must say it was quite comforting to know I was always only a couple of miles from home should I choose to say "sod this for a game of soldiers" and give up!  Last week when I was in the middle of nowhere I felt quite vulnerable and worried about getting injured with no phone signal! (call it paranoia!).

Anyhow at 8 miles I felt my energy flagging and needed a little pick-me-up!  I considered an energy gel for a millisecond then opted for the big fat chocolate covered mars bar!  I have never eaten proper food on a run before so really didn't know how my body would react, but with only being a short distance from home I decided it was worth risking runners trots or being sick to experiment!

I must say it went down really well, and even took my mind off the running whilst I devoured it!  I am pleased to report I had no ill effects from this little indulgence and I felt great when I got home!  

I don't think I would risk eating two on a longer run but I might try getting some fun-size ones and seeing what happens if I eat a few of them throughout a run!  

Much more satisfying than the gels I have always forced down!

I started to feel very tired at around 13 miles but I was determined to hit the 15 mile mark and I did manage 15.15 slow but hilly miles!  

My average pace was a pathetic 10:53 minute mile but 15 miles all the same!



A Mars A Day Helps You Work, Rest and Play Run!


So here's to more Mars Bar Running experiments!  Even if it doesn't prove successful it will be enjoyable trying!