Long run on the Mason-Dixon Trail (24 miles)

RUNS: This weekend was to be the longest long run that I have done that wasnt an organized race in a very long time. We decided to run part of the Mason-Dixon trail here in PA. Rik has run all of the sections that we ran today but never from the start/end point that we did today.

We decided to park at the edge of Apollo Park and run south from there. The goal was to run 28 miles but I was a little slower moving then usual and we decided to turn around a bit earlier. We also decided to start our run in the afternoon and knew that we would be finishing in the dark! This was something completely different. We always start our long runs in the AM.

At about the 5.5 mile point we ran through a camp ground and on the other side was this cool bridge that we had to go across....

Rik on the trail.

Headed down to the water crossing.

Surprisingly not as cold as we thought it would be.

This large water crossing was at about the 10 mile point. It started to sleet pretty good here and we debated turning around then before crossing the water. But ultimately we continued on for a few more miles and I am really glad we did.

We ended up turning around just past the 12 mile point for a total of over 24 miles and almost 4000ft of elevation ascent. We had periods of rain, sleet and wind. The only part that was bad was a section of road that was fields on either side. Of course this is where it was blowing and raining the most! We were glad to finally hit the trail again after that.

Here we are oh so happy to almost be done. It is at an over look looking out over the Susquehanna River.

We ended up finishing the run after dusk but it was still just light enough that we didnt need to break out the head lamps.

The next day we did our back to back run. I ended up running 10 miles around Lake Redman. My legs were a mess! They certainly did not want to be running the morning after a 24 miler. No pain. Just legs like jello!

Now to see if I can do it all again next week. That will be the true test.

EATS: During the 24 miles (6hrs) I had 2 GUs, 2 fig newtons, 3 Shot Bloks, peanut M&Ms, several ounces of grape Gatorade and a pack full of water. I felt I fueled very well on this run.

Post run fuel consisted of a veggie burger, potato chips and soda. Oh, and one of these!

Vodka, cranberry juice and pineapple juice.

In the morning I had some cold cereal and 2 glasses of water before the 10 miler. Only water during that run. I didnt feel like I needed anything else but was very hungry within minutes of finishing so we quick went home and got cleaned up and head out to our local burrito joint for some of the good stuff....

Rik gets the potato burrito and I just get the bean burrito.
SO GOOD!!!

I plan to hit up the grocery store tomorrow and do some food prep for the up coming week, color my hair and I am also looking forward to going to yoga with my older son (20yo)! Sounds like a busy day for a rest day. :)

Do you have any post long run rituals? 
We seem to like to do the burrito thing.

Peace.