Lululemon groove short Archives - Run The Long Road Coaching

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.

Blogging lately has been sporadic at best. Either I don’t have much to say or don’t have enough time to string it together in a post (which is usually the case these days).

So annoying and so true…so I will just stop right now with the OMG sooo busy!

Booty shorts
Last weekend I bought these:

lululemon groove short

Normally I shun away from anything that may make my thighs look like sausages. I was surprised with how flattering these look and how comfortable they feel. So they are not technically booty shorts (compared to these), but I was a tad self conscious the first time I wore them (I’m already over that). During the summer my shorts are stuck to me anyway because of sweat, so why not wear shorts that stick to you to begin with? Makes more sense to me…

Olympics
OMG sooo excited! The women’s marathon is Sunday, August 5 while the poor men have to wait until the very last day – Sunday, August 12. That sucks.

50K training
This is my last big mileage week before the taper, which will be a 3-week taper this time around…as opposed to my 2-week marathon tapers. I’m feeling really good and my legs are holding up just fine.

Last week’s training…

MON: 7 miles
TUE: 10 miles
WED: 6 miles
THU: 5 miles
FRI: 9 miles (9:27 pace)
SAT: 17 miles (9:32 pace)
SUN: rest

54 miles total with most of my runs Garmin-free. This weekend I’m attempting 26.2 as a training run.

Do you run in booty shorts (i.e., spandex)?

Which Olympic event(s) are you most looking forward to?

A marathon as a training run

Monday Updates