Test Run 4

Primary objective: test in-run nutrition 

Secondary objectives: test night-time running after a full day of being awake, test trail running (have so far mostly been running on paved roads), test my own ability to run longer distances, test night-time equipment, monitor post-run physical condition

Time: April 9 / 10 

Estimated Duration: 6 hours

Distance: 50 km (22 circles of 2,25 km)

Terrain: flat trail (wood chip mulch)

Weather: rainy, 3 degrees C, south wind 10 m/s 

RESULTS

Primary objective: success. I now have s smoothie formula, which containes everything I need for resupplying my by during the Run and it comes in a semi-liquid form which can be consumed while on the move. I made a slight miscalculation by finishing a carbohydrate rich pasta meal 2 hours before the Test Run 4. I was still feeling the pasta when I hit the track. Note to self, leave at least 3 hours between the meal of solid food and starting the Run. The in-run smoothie containes: 

Secondary objectives: partial success. 

1. Test night-time running after a full day of being awake. Success. Didn't feel sleepy at any point. Of course, I had not spend the previous day running. And it was the first night. During the actual Run I suspect the second night might be the most difficult.

2. Test trail running. Success.  It's much softer to run on compared to paved roads, but it has different challenges. Uneven surfaces, especially during the night, can be a fast-track to ligament sprains. Also, part of the trail was wet, making it slippery. There's things to think about, then.

3. Test my own ability to run longer distances. Fail. It was a floodlit track, but they turned the lights off at midnight, which I did not know about beforehand. I started Test Run 4 at 9pm and was planning to go run until 3 am. I was wearing my headlamp, so when they turned off the floodlights I was able to keep going for another few laps, but not for long. So the actual run wash just 3 hours and 25 km, instead of double that, as I had planned.

4. Test night-time equipment. Partial success. Very comfortable to wear. I was expecting it to slide out of place or jump up and down as I run along, but there was none of either. It's early spring and 

monitor post-run physical condition