11/5/11
14 miles / 2:01 / 8:39 avg pace
I’m a creature of routine. Every night before my long run I do the following (don’t mock me):
- check the hourly forecast on weather.com
- lay out my running clothes near my bed
- lay out my hair bands, headband, Body Glide, sunscreen, Aquaphor (winter only), and contacts in my bathroom
- lay out towels, ShotBloks, water bottle, and chocolate milk in the kitchen
- set my alarm for some ungodly early hour
This sounds involved but I’ve been doing it for so long now I can easily pull everything together in 5-10 minutes. Then I literally roll out of bed the next morning and go. I don’t have to think about anything nor do I forget anything.
Last night Matt and I watched a movie (Crazy, Stupid Love – it was good) and then a few episodes of House Hunters and I was feeling lazy and tired so I just went to bed – no long run prep. I also slept in since it was freezing out (the later I go running, the warmer it is!). After rolling out of bed at 7:30 (unheard of for me, I’m usually a few miles into my run by then), I slowly got ready and started running at 8:30.
I knew what was coming. And cursed myself for staying in bed so long. My stomach growled at mile 2. Crap. I don’t eat before any of my runs (read why here) and since I’m generally done running at 8:30 and about to eat breakfast, I never get hungry during a long run…even 22 miles. So not good. I ate 3 ShotBloks and felt a little bit better. Thankfully, I brought a few extra with me just in case.
Two and a half packs of ShotBloks later, I was done and booking it back to my car for some chocolate milk. I eat that many ShotBloks for a marathon! Too many for such a short distance. Ugh.
I also forgot to put on sunscreen and Body Glide. Damn chafing and sun damage!
Moral of the story: get your butt out of bed early and lay out everything ahead of time.
Do you have a long run routine? Do you find yourself sleeping in a bit more now that the weather is colder? I’m so guilty of this, especially since I’m not technically training for anything right now.
Best of luck to everyone running the NYC marathon tomorrow, especially Meggie, Kelly, Keri, Katie, and Susan!!!!!