Too many variables

13.14 miles 1:49:45
With 3 x 2 miles at Steady Pace of 8:05-7:55

Half Marathon in 2 weeks!

Ive been going into Saturday's long runs with a mixture of excitement and dread. The past 3 long runs i've completed felt ok, but the rest of the day I ended up feeling like sh*t. Since I only run 4 days a week, feeling like crap 25% of the time is not acceptable in my book.  I re-evaluated what I do before and during run, and also decided this week to tweak my post run routine. Cut to the point, So far I do not feel crappy like the past 3 Saturdays.


My Plan:

Friday- ate lentils, rice, some brussel sprouts & 2 medium boiled eggs for dinner. Also drank a deliciously hoppy IPA.

Saturday Pre Run- upon advice from Coach, I tried to limit my sugar intake and just had a banana instead of the honey stinger waffle.(Would have had a bagel or toast, but didnt have any!)  Drank a quarter cup of coffee.  20 minutes before the run, I took the gatorade prime & a salt pill.



The first half of the run I just felt blah. Im not going to analyze this because not all runs are of the OMG FREAKING FANTASTIC RAINBOW POOPING PONY variety. Didn't have the spring in my step i've had on the past 2 long runs. Yet, mentally I was all game for this run.

When I got up to Oak St beach I wondered what the condition of the path would be. Soon I realized it was covered in 5"+ of ice. I ran a small way, and had to walk. I was slipping all over the place.
With the start of mile 5 brought the first of the 2 miles at steady pace. This first 2 miles killed me. I even thought about turning around and trying again tomorrow. But I kept at it. After mile 6, I choked down an almost frozen GU and another salt pill. I also carried water with me and made sure to drink a little more than I felt I needed to.

Pancake Ice in Lake Michigan

Maybe it was the GU and/ or salt, but after that my run seemed to turn around for the better. I felt light and springy and the other 2 sets of 2 miles felt fantastic. For runs of under 16 miles, I usually dont take anything- maybe just a salt when it's hot unless it's a race- then I'll take some GU.

I was mezmerized by the Pancake Ice swaying in the waves. I could have stood there for a while watching it.

The highlighted miles are the "Steady" pace miles.

  At times during this run I felt very cold and then very hot. Perhaps it was the wind. The first 6 miles I ran into some wind- most notably at mile 3.

I also saw people setting up for the Polar Plunge near Castaways. I cannot fathom why people would want to jump in Lake Michigan when the harbors are covered in ice! YIKES!  *I also saw people ice fishing in one of the harbors too.












Today I wore my Brooks Pure Cadence 2's outside for the first time. (I've worn them 2 times on the running machine since I got them a few weeks ago.) They were light and felt pretty good- I like how the arch is higher in these compared to my other shoes. I'll probably wear them for the half marathon.

And for my reference:
Wore the UA purple tights
Black CEP socks
Nike Hyperwarm Longsleeve
Adidas Lined Jacket.
Nike Headband
OWL HEAD HAT


And today as I was running I got kinda bummed because soon it will be too warm to wear my owl head hat on runs. I hope it's cold enough to wear it for the race :)
To continue on with how Im feeling better for post long run, today I:
Drank a small protein shake when I got home. Also drank a large Earl gray latte from Caribou, then soaked in a hot bath for entirely too long. Then I got RAMEN for the 3rd week in a row. It really hits the spot post long run.

Conclusion:
 I feel there are too many variables to adequately pinpoint why I felt like crap post run for the past 3 weeks and why I'm feeling good today.
-Still running in extreme cold (today's feels like was 11)
-Getting used to running long again (Before these 4 weeks of training, my longest runs were 6-7 miles)
-Fueled more today during run than past 3 weeks (Today took the GU and extra salt today)
-Bonking from too much sugar  (lowered sugar intake pre run)
-Brought water instead of gatorade with me today and drank about 16oz
-Drank Protein post run

With no injuries to speak of thanks to my dedication to the Trigger Point Kit, The Stick & Foam Roller, I am still contemplating what my next steps will be for races this year. But for now, I'm incredibly thankful that I'm healthy and feeling good post long run.

Now I just need to figure out what I'll wear for race day! :)


- xaar