So now, I'm at the point where these long run miles are really starting to build up. I'm still figuring out what I need in terms of fueling, as well, and I hope to have that sorted out over the next few weeks. At this point, I have found that I really liked the GU salted caramel gel. With those, I can take just a little bit at a time, and wash it down with some water. I also tried applesauce (Aldi "Simply Nature" brand), that comes in a package of four. Again, I still prefer to take it with a bit of water. Although they did give me a bit of a boost of energy, I'm not sure if they quite have the staying power of the gels.
In terms of the actual hydration, I tried using Smart Water, which is plain water with electrolytes in it. I actually really like this idea, and it seemed to work well, because with the GU, and possibly, applesauce, I don't want to overload my system on sugar. However, knowing that I will most likely run out of the Smart Water during my run on race day, I'm wonder if I can just get pure electrolytes that I can just add to my water bottle, where I can get it refilled at a water station, especially later in the course. I'm kind of thinking that if I can get those in either a powder form that quickly dissolves, or in some type of liquid form (kind of like water enhancers that you can get at the store),that maybe be best.
The night before my long run, I did drink two bottles of a an electrolyte drink that I found on sale for
50 cents each. After a really hard run, it might taste good, but I wasn't crazy about either one. To me, they tasted like flavored chemicals. The only reason I bought them was because of the price, thinking that if they worked for me, I could stock up on them. Yeah....don't think that will be the case.
As for my long run itself, I ended up running the distance indoors as I wimped out on the cold. Okay, it wasn't SUPER cold, but running outside in the 20s, knowing that I get cold SUPER fast after my runs lately, and chances are that I would have to wait for a bus somewhere.....yeah......not my idea of a fun time. So, I sucked it up, and did the miles on the treadmill. I had a rough start with getting out the door, as I was being absent minded about leaving important things for the gym behind (including my gym bag with needed running gear), but I finally managed to make it out to the gym. Once I changed, did a few minute walk on the treadmill, and then stretched, I made myself get back onto the treadmill for the 12 miles that was on my agenda. Yep....12 miles on that thing. However, remember, just a few weeks ago, I had an amazing run at 10 miles on that thing. Yet, at the same time, I kind of scared of handling the 12 miles. Again, I don't know why longer distances seem so daunting at first. It's a total mind game, for sure. I think with me, I look at the jump in terms of mileage, compared to the week before, especially if it's a set back week, and find myself a bit intimidated by the leap. However, in reality, it's not always that much longer than my last long run (such as this 10 to 12).
Once I got onto the treadmill and started going, things went a bit easier mentally. I had both the tv on (mostly for visual stimulation) and my ipod on for music, as a way to help with the boredom that can come with being on the treadmill. What also mentally helped was dividing the long run into chunks. In this run, I decided on 3 sets of 4 (so 4 miles each). The only snag I hit was having the machine suddenly stop on me every so often. I think this was because the time was set to "time remaining" rather than "time lapsed." So having it suddenly stop more than once was kind of startling.
In terms of pace, I varied it a bit, depending on what I felt like I could safely handle, and what music was playing. If I was jamming out to a power song, I'd turn the tempo up. If I needed some recovery, I d' turn it down. I also used the time to figure out when to take my energy stuff. Since I still had some of my GU leftover, I sort of alternated between that and my squeezable applesauce every few miles (about 2-3). For me, it seems to work well if I just take a little bit every few miles, as it gives my body a chance to digest it a bit easier than if I was to take a bunch at a later point. I also sipped on my Smart Water every so often. I think I had a 20fl oz bottle, which got me through most of the run. I didn't have my handheld bottle with me, but I know that holds 16 oz, so this is giving me a rough estimate on how much hydration I may need for the full. I'm guessing that I would probably need at teast 32oz (and maybe a bit more) to see me through. There is also the idea of running with a hydration pack to help me carry more water, but I'm not really sure if I want to deal with more extra weight. However, it may be something for me to consider.
For this run, I did hit sort off a wall around 8-9, for some reason. I'm not sure what caused it...might have been energy related, but also kind of mental, as that mile felt so long. I did take some energy stuff around then, by the time I hit mile 10, I was doing better. Back in one of my earlier miles, I kind of had the thought of trying for the 13.1 miles on the treadmill, but when I hit miles 8-9, I wasn't sure if that was going to be possible. Once I hit around mile 11, I realized that if I took it a bit slower, I could do the 13.1. I think part of me was going, "Oh come on! In a half marathon, you wouldn't quit at mile 12, when you had just.one.more. mile to do. Come on, let's just go for the 13.1!" So, once I hit mile 12, I played a few power songs to get me going to the end. As usual, P!nk's "Just Like Fire," got me going really strong. I turned up the speed to nearly a 10 minute pace, which is super fast for me on a long run (I was probably averaging 12-11ish minute miles), and I could literally feel myself springing from one foot to the next. A few minutes later, I saw my treadmill hit the 13.1 mark! I had literally hit the longest distance I had ever done on the road or treadmill. I was very tired afterwards, but so proud of myself!
As for the recovery from running that distance, it was actually much easier than I anticipated. I did have a banana, my other applesauce pouch (which tasted AMAZING), and some milk after I finished, but I surprisingly wasn't ravishingly hungry. However, when I got home, I completely crashed out for a few hours. I know that this is normal for after long runs, but it's making me think that I may need to plan for that in advance. I also had a hard time going BACK to sleep a hour or so later (when I really should be in bed for a 5 a.m. alarm to go skate), so there was that issue. However, I did take an aleve, just in case my legs got super sore, and was able to skate the next morning on better legs than I anticipated. I was even able to do some jumping, which was previously impossible after I ran my past half marathons. I also never really got super hungry either. I know that one of the hunger hormones may get suppressed for a while after a hard workout, but I guess my stomach decided that it didn't need a bunch of stuff in it, and that my normal food/meals was fine. Hey, at least it's a few extra bucks in my pocket, as I'm not chowing down on a sofritas bowl from Chipotle with tortilla chips (my favorite dish from there, and the tortillas make it into an ultimate nachos type of dish). For the time being, I figure it's nothing worth stressing over, as I'm still eating and drinking as I normally would. I'm guessing that it's needs are probably just changing some, so I may just have to adapt to it.
As for my upcoming long run, I am looking at having it be another set back week, which is jumping me a bit further in the schedule. Since I know I can do the 13.1, there's really no need for me to repeat it, the have a set back distance the following week. This way, I can do the 10 miles that I have on plan, then next week, go to 15 miles....the longest distance I have ever done so far. Let's hope for good weather, so that I can do this run outside!
Until then, Happy Running!
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