Sunday, January 10, 2010

Race Weekend in Orlando

Just had to give props to 2 wonderful ladies who ran/are running in the Disney World Marathon/Half Marathon this weekend...my best friend from college, Wendy, ran the half yesterday and my friend from Tuscaloosa (who I do not see often enough), Heather, is currently running the marathon :) I just checked on her progress and see that she's at least halfway there...yay!

I'm about to head out into the cold to do 4 w/my running buddy. Did 7.5 yesterday and feeling incredibly encouraged. Time to bundle up!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Today was "for worse" (or why being dehydrated makes for a painful long run)

So today was my 6 mile run b/c with travel and then family obligations the remainder of last weekend I didn't have time to get in a full 6 miles. I went for a quick 1.5 miler last weekend figuring that it was better than doing nothing and picked back up with my regular schedule on Monday.

Yesterday I started off the New Year with a migraine, thus besides being completely slothful, I also spent the day pumping myself full of caffeine and prescription migraine meds. Seriously, I think if I drank 8 oz. of water yesterday that would be pushing it. I got up this morning, drank some water and ate some PB crackers (usual pre-run sustenance) and headed out for my run. 2.5 miles into the run I thought I was going to throw up, die or both. I was sweating profusely and I imagined that if one were to try and run with a hangover, this is how it would feel. I thought "if I can just make it to 3..." but decided to keep pushing, knowing that migraines are not something I can control and that I might be running my race post-migraine! I will not lie, there was some walking involved in the 3-4.5 mile range but I managed to run the last 1.5 miles somewhat convincingly.

I'm sure this was due to dehydration and I have learned my lesson for next week. But at least I know I can persevere through an adverse situation should something like this happen on race day.

Speaking of hydration I am definitely planning on "walking through" (could be walking or running) every water stop on the course. I have already mapped them out and will begin incorporating this drink schedule into my training. In reading some of the infamous message boards I am nothing less than shocked at the runners who proudly proclaim that they drink NOTHING during a half or full marathon. That is not safe!! I do know to alternate sports drink/water for any run longer than 90 minutes (and as previously discussed it WILL take me longer than 1 1/2 hours to run this!) to keep electrolyte balance but I cannot imagine what it would do to one's body to replenish no fluids during a race.

Training schedule for last week:
Sunday: 1.5 miles
Monday: 3 miles plus 1/2 mile warm up/cool down
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 3 miles plus 1/2 mile warm up/cool down
Thursday: cross train
Friday: would normally be long run day--gym was closed and I had a migraine
Saturday: 6 miles 1/4 mile warm up plus unmeasured cool down

Tomorrow is an active recovery day. My running buddy is out of town so I am not sure what I will do tomorrow. A quick 2 miles by the lake or maybe a long walk with the dogs?