I think it was a month ago when I heard about the 4 X 4 X 48. My friend asked if I was doing it. I didn’t even know what it was. So we are on the same page; it is a four mile run, every four hours, for 48 hours. Well at that time I was full of excuses and came up with “reasons” why I couldn’t do it. Today while running, my wife reminded me of the challenge and with all the social distancing going on, I had plenty of time to do it. So here we go…
I am starting at 2000 on Sunday and will finish my last run at 1600 on Tuesday. 48 miles in 48 hours.
Quick about me, I’m 36 years old. I’ve ran a few marathons, but its been awhile since I trained for those. I ride my bike about 100 miles a week between commuting and training rides.
My expectations:
1. I expect I won’t want to do the runs I have to wake up for.
2. I expect to be uncomfortable on day two. I don’t know how the physical pain will effect my mind. I’ve almost had breakdowns on runs before, normally around mile 18.
3. I expect to finish my March calorie challenge from Apple. I need to burn 4,500 calories before the end of the month (2 more days).
After run notes:
I have a detailed breakdown of the runs below if you are interested, but here are the highlights:
1. I was not interested in the midnight or 4 AM run at all, expectation met.
2. Pain was minimal, I think due to eating a lot and replacing my electrolytes. After the second midnight run, I was not feeling good physically and that dragged me down. But I focused on just making it through the next run.
3. Rocked my Apple calorie challenge, I only hope Apple doesn’t hit me with another 43,000 calorie goal.
4. This challenge was great for me, taking a goal like running 48 miles in 48 hours and chunking it will apply to other parts of my life. I can accomplish more when I set my mind to something, put a plan together, and stick to it.
Tips if you want to take this on:
1. Eat, even when you don’t want to. I burned 400-500 calories a run, stay ahead of it or you’ll fade fast.
2. Drink water and electrolytes, if this gets off balance, pain will follow.
3. Use two pairs of shoes, your shoes probably won’t dry before your next run.
4. Stretch after every run, even if its 1 in the morning and you just want to go to bed.
5. Keep your head up, stay proud, be confident. Don’t feel bad for yourself, that’s when you will spiral.
Run 1- 2000 – 35:59 – 61 degrees with N wind of 10 MPH
Kandace ran with me for the first run. She is going to try to run a few more as her work schedule allows. For my second run of the day, I felt strong. I am not feeling fast right now, but my stride feels confident. I am wondering if I should’ve planned my activity a little better before taking this on.
Run 2 – 0000 – 35:12 – 54 degrees with N wind of 3 MPH
Not much to report, streets are super empty between the time of night and social distancing. I really wanted to go back to bed. I told myself, “The faster I run, the faster I sleep.”
— Between run note– Hell of a time going back to bed. I should’ve showered since I just felt gross laying there. I also had the anxiety like I was going to sleep through my alarm.
Run 3 -0400 – 37:39 – 54 degrees with NE wind of 5 MPH
I got my running buddy back, Kandace went with me. Third time running pretty much the same route, something needs to change. We went out a little further so there was a nice cool down walk.
–Between run note– Enjoyed a bowl of frosted mini wheats then laid down for two hours. Slept harder than the previous 3 hours.
Run 4 -0800 – 34:57 – 57 degrees NE wind of 4 MPH
Changed my shoes since the gray ones are sweaty. Also changed the route, totally helped to add some variety. Need to switch to short sleeve or find the glide, because my nipples are getting tender. NO ONE likes bloody nipples.
–Between run note– Second breakfast, work, and Kandace left me the Hypervolt!
Run 5 -1200 – 35:39 – 62 degrees S wind of 10 MPH
Another new route, ran towards the Navy Yard. Felt surprisingly good to run up hill on the way out, I think it was because I knew I’d get to run down on the way home. Kandace loaned me her “Just for women glide” to protect my nipples. Big win there, the nips are good. Saw a few people fishing, while keeping six feet apart.
Run 6 – 1600 – 35:33 – 71 degrees SE wind of 13 MPH
Back to the Gray shoes since the blue ones are sweaty…Almost a totally tragedy. Turns out you get around eight miles before your apple watch dies if you stream music from it. I had to turn around at .5 miles and wait 15 minutes so I had enough juice to finish the run. I was hoping to make it over to Maryland before they shut it down, but came up .5 miles short. At the half way point I’m feeling good. I noticed my heart rate is steadily climbing, so the pain should be coming soon.
–Between run note– Dinner took an extra 45 minutes to prepare since I didn’t realize we were missing lentils. I had to eat later than I planned, only 30 minutes for the food to settle before running.
Run 7 – 2000 – 37:28 – 56 degrees S wind of 10 MPH
Kandace is back on the scene! The wind blew pretty strong so we tried to manage it with a different route. I think I would’ve felt better just gutting out the wind since the route started getting complicated. Dinner felt like a rock in my gut, so suck factor was there. I backed off the pace to manage.
Run 8 – 0000 – 36:14 – 56 degrees S wind of 10 MPH
I wanted to stay in bed, but that was not an option… I decided to face the wind pretty much the whole way out. Running to Union Station was weird with no traffic, half of it I ran in the middle of the road.
–Between run note– I wanted to puke instead of eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but I knew I needed the calories. So I sucked it up, ate it and half a banana.
Run 9 – 0400 – 39:20 52 degrees NW wind of 9 MPH
Kandace woke up way too early for normal people and went for a run with me! Totally not interested in this run. Four more runs…four more runs…
Run 10 – 0800 – 38:45 – 52 degrees NW wind of 10 MPH
Kandace is down for the pain again. Nipples are getting raw, mine… I don’t know how hers are doing… I need to switch to short sleeves even if I am chilly. This run just felt hard, I don’t even know how or why it was hard. But, this one did not feel good.
Run 11 – 1200 – 35:59 – 54 degrees NE wind of 6 MPH
Kandace is working, so on my own. It was a slow start, but it felt good once I got moving. I tried a new route but was turned around because of the street closures in DC. I didn’t think I could out run the cops in my current condition.
Run 12 – 1600 – 34:52 – 54 degrees E wind of 12 MPH
Last run! The wind was really moving so that added a nice dimension. I’ve been avoiding running capital hill; so I pushed it and ran into the wind, up the hill! It felt good to push it and not feel sorry for myself. After getting to the top I felt good and rode the momentum to the end.
| Time | Run Time | 1 to 10 scale* | |
| 1 | 2000 (1954) | 35:59 | 8 |
| 2 | 0000 (2352) | 35:12 | 7 |
| 3 | 0400 (0356) | 37:39 | 7 |
| 4 | 0800 (0748) | 34:57 | 8 |
| 5 | 1200 (1154) | 35:39 | 8 |
| 6 | 1600 (1555) | 35:33 | 9 |
| 7 | 2000 (1952) | 37:28 | 6 |
| 8 | 0000 (2353) | 36:14 | 5 |
| 9 | 0400 (0358) | 39:20 | 6 |
| 10 | 0800 (0754) | 38:45 | 6 |
| 11 | 1200 (1152) | 35:59 | 7 |
| 12 | 1600 (1548) | 34:52 | 9 |
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