It’s been awhile since I posted here so this is mostly a succinct catch-up post covering weeks 24, 25, and 26.
After a couple of recovery days, I was feeling good enough to get in 3 relatively short mid-week runs (one with Ellen!). Then on Sunday did a 49.48 km run in Marly Park. I went out with my pack and 2 water bottles and left them by a tree on the first of 14 laps around the park. That way I was able to run without carrying any extra weight and still have water and foodstuffs available every time 3.1 km when I passed the tree.
I kept up a steady pace that averaged out to 6:05 min per km. I covered the distance in just over 5 hours. I was really tired at the end, but overall the body held up well. Elevation gain was 1,113 m.
For week 25, I did two mid-week runs and one long run on Sunday. We went to Gerardmer, so one 11.73 km run was on cross country ski trails. The long run was an out and back run to Le Hohneck and back, covering 38.40 km in just under 5 hours with 1,287 m of elevation gain. There are some steep climbs up ski slopes along the route. I kept up a steady but slow pace. Coming back I had to walk up most of the long hills. I was dog tired at the end but encouraged with the performance. The only negative aspect came when I stepped on a cross trail drainage channel and aggravated my left big toe. I was foolishly gazing around and the time and not paying attention. It was a good reminder that concentration every step of the way is important. Keep your head down and place your feet correctly!
Week 26 started with a few days of rest, then one mid-week trail run up the ski slopes, followed by another long run towards Le Hohneck and back. I didn’t go all the way to the top this time. The total distance was 31.34 km with 1,014 m of elevation gain.
To give an idea of the terrain, here is a photo from the peak of the Gerardmer ski area looking towards the Le Hohneck peak which is circled in the photo.
