ultra

Taper Talk

August 2, 2012 by Kristy 17 Comments

I thought that once I started to taper for this 50K, I would feel better and relax a bit. Instead my motivation has hit an all time low.

Last week was my “peak week” of training and I hit 60 miles. A good chunk of that was my marathon training run. After that it looked a little something like this…

26.2 (yeah!) –> 10 (my legs feel great!) –> 6 (my legs feel OK) –> rest day –> 10 (crap, my legs are bricks) –> 7 (I should have stayed in bed) –> and so on…

My legs have felt beat up all week (hello, DOMS). I’m not surprised; I generally take a week off after running a marathon.

My motivation is also lacking. I just don’t feel like running. Plain and simple.

We are going away this weekend so I’m scrambling to fit all my runs in this week so I can take Saturday and Sunday as rest days. That’s rough and I’m just…cranky.

I’ve also been up way too late watching the Olympics. I though the Olympics were supposed to motivate?

Speaking of the Olympics, does anyone else think Ryan Lochte is a tool?

exactly…

Why is Ryan Seacrest at the Olympics?

Did anyone catch this hurdler’s pre-race routine? You better win after that!

Ryan Lochte – like or dislike?

A marathon as a training run

July 28, 2012 by Kristy 20 Comments

This weekend I ran a marathon as a training run. My last big run to kick off my 3-week taper.

I was a bit giddy at the prospect of running 26.2 as a long run but also dreading it at the same time. Mother Nature has been relentless with the heat and humidity and I was envisioning a repeat of Boston…without the amazing spectators, ice, and sprinklers.

I treated the marathon as a dress rehearsal for the 50K. I tested out my sausage casings groove shorts. I bring a whole new meaning to wicking fabric.

I was completely drenched by mile 10

I stuck to my hilly long run loop of 5 miles. And around and around I went. My car doubled as an aid station.

Shot Bloks and salt – the essentials

My legs were tired at mile 15.

At mile 18, I questioned (1) why I was training for a 50K so soon after Boston and (2) why I chose to do a 50K in August.

I fueled every 4 miles or so. It was a mix of Shot Bloks, PB crackers, and PB-filled pretzels (my new favorite). Add in a little salt and over 100 ounces of water, and I felt pretty well hydrated and fueled. If you include my post-run chocolate milk, I consumed around 1350 calories. I took care of the 1250 calorie deficit with 4 slices of pizza and some Miller Lite.

I don’t care how many times you run a marathon, 26.2 miles is tough. It was hot and humid and I felt spent at the end. I could not run another 5 miles. Not in that heat. I kept thinking that if August 19th is a day like today, I won’t finish.

Then I remembered to never, ever listen to the craziness that creeps into your mind after you run a marathon. You are delusional and not thinking straight. You say never again and then, 1 week later, start looking for your next marathon.

I did finish…in 4 hours and 28 minutes. 5 minutes faster than my Boston time. Hooray for heat acclimation.

And, about those crazy thoughts, it sounds like someone is in desperate need of a taper, both mentally and physically. Thank god it’s here.

Ever say “never, ever again” after crossing the finish line? I said it after my marathon in 2007 and definitely said it after every 5K.

22 in 102

July 7, 2012 by Kristy 18 Comments

So the high today will only be 98 degrees. When I checked yesterday it said 102. 22 in 102 has a much better ring to it than 22 in 98. So my title is inaccurate but sounds good.

This morning I ran 22 miles. I prefer running in hot weather but today was a bit extreme even for me. I finished in 3:51 (10:30 average pace).

If I were training for a marathon, I would have considered this run an absolute train wreck with all the walking I did. But 50K training changes all that. I was on my feet for 3 hours and 51 minutes. Other than hot-as-hell Boston, I haven’t run that long in awhile which made today’s run the perfect 50K training run.

I gathered all my gear last night since I got up at the crack of dawn today.

Some things to note…a beach towel was 100% necessary. The little baggie next to my Shot Bloks is table salt. Today I experimented with potato chips and PB crackers as fuel.

Here’s how fueling went since I’m still trying to figure it all out.

Mile 4 –> 3 Shot Bloks
Mile 8 –> 3 Shot Bloks
Mile 10 –> potato chips. I wasn’t even hungry but forced these down. How can something so light and airy feel like complete lead in your stomach? I’m officially crossing potato chips off my list.
Mile 15 –> 3 Shot Bloks (thankfully, the potato chips were beginning to digest).
Miles 17-18.5 –> PB crackers. I think we have a winner here. They didn’t bother my stomach at all.

Add to this a massive amount of Nuun-infused water and salt every couple of miles. Add in the chocolate milk I drank immediately after my run and I consumed around 1000 calories. But I burned close to 2200…so I have some eating to do today!

I began the run/walk approach around Mile 10 (yes, it didn’t take long). I was able to run on a shady trail for miles 17 to 20 and when I reemerged into the sun I felt like a vampire.

It’s entirely possible that I could have weather like this the day of my 50K. I’m glad I toughed it out and I’m so glad it’s over.

Now it’s time to eat (again)…

Has the heat changed anyone’s running plans this weekend? Did anyone race?