I am so lucky to have a group of women to reach out to for runs like this. I was surprised so many said yes! Kristin, Tracey, and Sarah met me at 7am to begin our muggy, winding 13-miler. It was already in the 70s when we began, and by 4 miles it was nearing 80.
We stopped at mile 6 - McDonald's - to stuff ice down our bras. We paused at mile 9 - the park - to run cold water over our arms. I was so glad to have company and to be wearing my water belt! I don't think I fueled well enough and I started out too quickly; the run took us longer than we wanted, but there's no such thing as a bad run.
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| I already miss our cold snap. Here's hoping it returns for race day! |
Matt and I saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty that evening, and I highly recommend it. It was insightful and poignant and funny! It struck a personal chord with me that I'll need to keep tuned, because it would be a shame to forget the messages the movie instilled in me.
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| As you can see, people fell off their boards a lot today. It was super choppy! |
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| When discovering gluten free options, get both! (Butterfinger cupcake and mint chocolate cupcake, both GF.) |
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| OMG it was filled with peanut butter!!! HEAVEN. |
How do you make adjustments to your plan based on fatigue, weather, or other conditions?
Thoughts on wearing a water-belt on race day? If it's hot out, I want to wear it to avoid a repeat of the FMB half.
How was your weekend?
ABK
PS: I got new shoes this week! Amazon had a code to save $15, plus a sale on my favorite shoe, plus I had a $25 gift card. I can't wait to take these babies for a spin!
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| Asics Kayano-19...my sole-mates. |
Great job on your run! It feels awesome to get a long run done when conditions are less than ideal.
ReplyDeleteI've never worn a fuel belt during a race as I tend to find the water stations well stocked. Then again, I live in a much cooler climate than you!
That is super funny about putting ice in your bras! LOL. I once stopped at a McDonalds on a super hot sunny Summer long run to refuel when I ran out of fluids. They had their 'only a dollar all summer,' deal on and I bought a frutopia. I filled my bottles in the parking lot. Best. drink. ever. !
I am in love with those shoes!!!
If I had had money on me, I would've gotten a Coke. Lately that's what I crave during the latter miles of a long run. I even got one after the run this time, and I NEVER drink soda!
DeleteOur drink stations are usually so well-stocked, but I like to drink when I eat, and sometimes the stops aren't spaced correctly for that. I think I'm going to try it this time and see if it helps me avoid the wall.
What a great run! I long for the days when I need to stop and shove ice down my shirt (summer can't come quick enough). I never run with my own water during race day, I figure if I need some I can always stop at a water station ( which I rarely do). But then again I am a really bad example at hydrating cus I have been known to run 13.1 miles and not take a drink. I recently tried a pair of Asics and I think I would like those shoes!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, 13 miles without water?! I don't drink enough on my runs, but anything over 4 miles, I try to have something with me!
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ReplyDeleteGood job on your run in the hot weather! I would have melted! Asics are my shoe of choice also. Yours are beautiful. I always put too much pressure on myself to go a certain pace during my long runs, and then I have to remind myself that I am supposed to be going SLOWER than race pace.
ReplyDeleteLooking at my splits, my miles weren't TOO slow really, until the very end. I'm a lot more obsessive about my pace when I run alone! Running with friends helps haha.
DeleteMy most recent marathon I wore a hydration pack (the back pack kind that hold a ton of water) all the way until mile 20, when I ditched it to my husband. (That was my plan). I didn't want to stop at water stops. I just wanted to drink whenever I felt like it. And with mine, it has a tube you suck out of, so you don't have to stop and drink, which I would have had to do if it were a cup. So people prob thought I looked ridiculous, but I used my pack for long runs for years, so I was used to it. And I qualified for boston, so it worked! I'd say if you train with it and you're comfy with it, wear it. If it's something brand new on race day, don't do it.
ReplyDeleteYou know, you hit it on the head. If it works, use it. I know people might thing the fuelbelt looks weird, but if I know it'll make the race easier (and I can drop it off at mile 8, where my parents live, or start without it and pick it up there) then why not use it?!
DeleteI don't get too concerned with my pace on long runs, but I feel like I should because my times might improve lol.
ReplyDeleteGood job on the 13 miles! Those cupcakes... look to die for!!
I figure on long runs, you're supposed to run slow, so it's a good time to ignore pace a little bit and just run by feel and comfort.
DeleteThe cupcakes are almost TOO yummy, if that's possible!
Oh my butter finger cupcakes... they look divine! Congrats on making it to your taper! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, it was so amazing. It felt like a nice celebration for getting to this point in training!
DeleteYay for new shoes!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your long run!!! :)
When I was training for my second half, I put A LOT of pressure to keep a certain pace and to beat my previous paces. I think that is one of the biggest reasons why I hated training. Now I have learned and I won't make the same mistake again :)
Agreed. There's something to be said for speed-work and improvement, but long runs put enough pressure on me without adding an expectation of timing.
DeleteThose sneakers look so cool! Love the design and what a great deal.
ReplyDeleteI don't put any pressure on myself to keep a certain pace during long runs. I will check my Garmin a couple times just to make sure I'm not doing a 30 min mile or something crazy, but I just like to cruise and finish feeling as good as possible.
Congrats to Matt on his second place finish!!
hehe...sneakers! I love that word but haven't heard it since middle school!
DeleteI'm with you! I'd rather enjoy the long run and finish feeling good than stress during it!
Hi Ali! I just found your blog through...shutup+run I think... Anyway I got hooked so I decided to say hi!
ReplyDeleteAbout keeping a pace on a long run, I'm pretty even although I look at my Garmin every now and then to check I'm in the right pace.
I'm very structured so if it rains or if I'm injured I get nuts for not following The Plan :)
Before any race I check the hydration on the map. I'm used to drink water/gatorade every 10' so... only if my 'structured' drinking pattern doesn't match the race hydration stations I wear a belt or hand-held bottle. I wore the bottle in my Half last year since the water stations were every 5k.
Nice shoes! My husband has those.
Good luck on your upcoming race :) What race are you running?
Ah, welcome! I'm so glad you've found something you like here!
DeleteI envy people who can stick to such structured plans! I'm a little more spontaneous haha. I've been unfortunately enough to deal with super hot races with water every 2 miles and faced really bad dehydration, so I think I'm going to do the dorky thing and wear my fuelbelt!
I'm running the Suncoast Half Marathon. I'm excited because it goes through a route I love to run anyway, so I know I'll enjoy it!
This may sound amateur but I don't set pace goals on long runs. I'm still a beginner and I know the most important thing is that I get the miles in. And that is my mantra during those increasingly long training runs - it's not about how you run the miles, just that you finish them.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, actually. My goal for this next half - even though it's my fifth - is to just have fun and finish strong and uninjured. You're absolutely right that it's the miles that count...even the hardest, slowest runs strengthen us...maybe even more than runs that are just too easy!
DeleteWow where do you live? Someone actually had warmer weather than we did in LA?! :) Nice job on your long run. I don't put pressure on myself to run a certain pace. In fact I've been turning those audio cues off in runkeeper, and probably will on the day I do my 1/2 marathon, especially since it's my first and I just want to finish feeling OK and not injured. Yes, that may even mean walking some for me, but I hope not actually. I also wear a tiny belt but not for water. Just for kleenex, gu, and chapstick.
ReplyDeleteFlorida has got LA beat when it comes to nice winter weather :o) But you guys own summer!
DeleteLove, love, love those shoes!! Why didn't I know about the Amazon deal?! :( #fail
ReplyDeleteFor all I know it's still on!
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