Boston Marathon

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.

My Strange Addiction

July 12, 2012 by Kristy 18 Comments

Apparently eating salt on the run is strange? This isn’t a common practice? Should I be on My Strange Addiction with people that eat couch cushion and sniff pine cleaner?

I did receive a few questions and it’s worth mentioning on the blog.

First and foremost, I sweat a lot. When people say they are dripping with sweat, I literally am. After last Saturday’s run, my shoes were soaked from all the sweat that poured off of me. I threw them directly into the washer when I got home.

I have come close…(via)

Second, I have visible salt lines on my skin after runs. If I wear a black visor, you can really see it.

Third, that horrible hungover feeling generally haunts me after long runs.

My Shot Bloks contain sodium and potassium but it’s not enough. I’ve tried Gatorade, Nuun, and salt tabs…still not enough. I’m a serious sweater.

So last summer I brought in the big guns and went straight to table salt. I was amazed at how much better I felt during and after a run. I was hooked.

To clarify, I don’t stash a salt shaker in my Stow-N-Go bra. I take a small amount of salt and put it in a baggie. Every 5 miles or more, I eat a very small amount of it (small amount as in I dip the very tip of my pinky finger into the bag and eat whatever sticks). I don’t mind the taste probably because I’m so salt-deprived.

Overall, I consume a small amount of salt. Probably on par with runners that dip boiled potatoes in salt. And I don’t use salt every time I do a long run, just on the hot and humid days.

I definitely attribute salt with getting me through Boston in one piece.

My advice would be to not jump to salt without trying other things first: Gatorade, Nuun, salt tabs, etc.

Now you know my strange addiction…

I haven’t been recapping my 50K training consistently so here’s a look at last week’s runs…

MON: 4 miles Garmin-free
TUE: 8 miles, 9:52 avg pace. Ugh, GI issues strike. Once in a blue moon my stomach revolts.
WED: 8 miles, 9:22 avg pace
THU: rest
FRI: 4 miles Garmin-free
SAT: 22 miles, 10:30 avg pace. Hot as hell.
SUN: 10 miles, 9:54 avg pace

56 miles –> a new mileage PR! Not by much though…only 1 mile.

Are you a serious sweater like me and rock the sexy salt lines post-run? To clarify, I rarely sweat outside of running. I’m more likely to be the person with a hoodie on in the summer.

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?

New Kicks

June 25, 2012 by Kristy 15 Comments

On Friday I went to Born To Run (Lafayette Hill) to get fitted for new running shoes. It has been 10+ years since I was last fitted. I have been living a happy existence in my Brooks Adrenalines for that long…until their Adrenaline 12s came out.

When I started training for Boston, I ordered the latest and greatest edition of Adrenalines like I do for (mostly) every training cycle. I immediately noticed that the 12s rubbed the inside of my ankle so bad it started to swell – not ideal for marathon training. I didn’t want to transition to a completely different shoe midway through training so I went back to the Adrenaline 11s and used them for Boston.

Realizing Brooks won’t make the 11s forever, I needed to find a new shoe. I was torn because I loved the Adrenalines and really credit them for my injury-free running (knock on wood). In the back of my mind I was thinking about switching to the Brooks Ravenna. They would probably fit similarly and, although they provide slightly less support, I use orthotics so maybe less support would be OK?

I walked into Born To Run with an open mind and ready to try any shoe they threw at me. Megan (owner) was wonderful and extremely patient as I hoped on and off the treadmill testing out different shoes.

I walked out with Brooks Ravenna Smile The fit was so similar to the Adrenalines. I broke in my new kicks over the weekend and so far, so good. I still haven’t parted with my Adrenaline 11s yet…just in case.

Did any Brooks Adrenaline wearers experience a similar issue with the 12s? I placed the 11s and 12s side-by-side and the 12s are cut slightly higher on the inside which is why it rubbed my ankle.

Are you nervous to try out a different running shoe? I’m a creature of habit and you know the saying “if it ain’t broke…” I’m really hoping the Ravennas continue to be OK.

I might be crazy…

June 18, 2012 by Kristy 13 Comments

Signing up for a 50K in central NJ in the middle of August. Are you crazy? Yes, I might be.

What I neglected to mention in my last post was the course description…

Multiple ~ 2.5 mile loops on dirt roads, flat single track trails, and open fields (+ 1 additional mile on dirt roads for 50k) – per the Turkey Swamp 50K website.

That’s a lot of loops. You’re off your rocker. Perhaps.

I did research 50Ks in the area and I did voluntarily chose this one. I read some blog recaps and watched YouTube videos (yes, people have YouTubed parts of the course).

My reasons for choosing this 50K, in no particular order:

– I get to sleep in my own bed the night before the race. I really didn’t want to travel anywhere.
– I wanted to capitalize on my Boston base.
– After running 1 loop, I can pretty much memorize where every root and stump are, which greatly decreases my chances of tripping.
– The Turkey Swamp 50K is part of a festival of races (10-Miler, 25K, and 20-Miler). So if it’s ungodly hot, I can always drop down to a shorter distance.

So you’re probably thinking that last bullet sounds like a cop-out. It’s not, I am committed to training for the 50K but I like having options. In August. In 100% humidity.

My approach to training is extremely laid back, which is a first for me…to say the least. Maybe it’s the relaxed pace or the whole laid back ultra environment?

I plan to do another post on my training this week, so stay tuned if you care Smile

Ever do a race with a crazy multiple loop course? This will be my first!

Is location a huge factor when picking a race? I’ve never signed up for a marathon that I couldn’t drive to, as crazy as that sounds.

‘Tis The Season

June 14, 2012 by Kristy 20 Comments

How many of you are about to begin training for a Fall marathon or half marathon? How many of you already started training?

‘Tis the season! I love it. It makes me giddy. There’s something about just rolling out of bed, throwing on shorts and a tank, and just going that is so wonderful. No checking weather.com, no worrying that the snot or sweat you just wiped with your glove will freeze and turn your hands numb.

Long, sweaty runs are my favorite. Long runs are an accomplishment to begin with and with the added heat it feels like an even bigger triumph.

Then there are days when the humidity breaks and you feel like you are flying. You realize you are making progress and it’s all coming together.

Summer is synonymous with training to me and this summer will be no different. I was hesitant to make any major decisions after Boston because I needed a mental break.

Physically, I feel great. I’m happy with where my running is. Mentally, I would say I’m getting there. So logically I would decide to sign up for a 50K in August. Yep, Turkey Swamp 50K here I come (ready or not).

What are you training for right now?

What are your favorite things about summer running?