Wednesday, November 19, 2014

WWU - 11 Excellent Miles!

After my terrible 10 mile race the previous week, my confidence in my ability to run long distances was lacking.  Sure, two days after that race I ran a good 3 miles, but then the very next day, it was all I could do to last for 35 minutes before throwing in the towel.  Yes, the weather was vastly different those two days, but still...those kinds of extremes in good/bad runs this close to my first goal race made me wonder if I really had it in me to run a half marathon.  We're getting down to the nitty gritty in our long runs - maybe I max out around 9 miles?

Well, I'm happy to report that my 11 mile run was a good one - what a relief!  The temperature was not quite as cold as forecast - it was 42 degrees, with very little wind.  I layered up my clothes just right, but as usual, my fingers were frozen, even with wearing two pairs of mittens (side note:  if you have suggestions for super warm gloves/mittens, I'd love to hear them).

Amy and I headed out and had a good time chatting about all things knitting, and soon we hit what I call Scary Statue park, but in actuality it's called Veteran's Park.  There were hundreds of full-sized flags planted, in row after row, remaining from the Veteran's Day ceremony earlier in the week, and it was really moving to see them.  We ran an out-and-back through the park and then headed up to our main road, where we got to smell a very dead animal and later on see (but thankfully not smell) a dead coyote.  We also saw a live deer cross a wide four-lane road - luckily traffic was light at the time, or it might have joined its dead brethren.

We reached the turn-around point on the main road and then it was a mostly downhill run for several miles (and as the person who does our routes, you better believe I planned it this way).  I was feeling great but Amy, not so much.  She fell behind a bit, and I kept going to our next turn-around point; after I hit that and caught back up to her, she decided to call it and walked back to the park, cutting out going through the fancy neighborhood.  So, I ended up doing about half of the run on my own, which was fine.  I took a GU at miles 3, 6 and 9 and felt strong the entire time - no lead legs this run, hurray!

As I mentioned in Monday's post, I did do some mental bribery/reward thinking, starting around mile 9.  Hey, whatever works, right?  I finished strong, and then we headed off to Blue Baker, where I got my usual meal (including a cinnamon twist, yay!) but except for a quarter of a bagel and some chocolate milk, my stomach was having none of it.  That's OK - I boxed everything up, took it home, and snacked on it later in the day.  As long as I can tolerate getting the chocolate milk down, I figure I'm fine on recovery food - the rest will come in a few hours.

I felt pretty good on Saturday, but Sunday, my body was definitely letting me know I ran 11 miles.  Luckily, this season these kinds of aches are just temporary, and by Monday I felt normal again.  Just a few more weeks and then?  It's race day, eeek!

32 comments:

  1. Woohoooo for a great run! Must have been good for your confidence to run a good one.

    Funny that 42 degrees (looked up what that is in Celcius) to me isn't really cold, not wearing gloves yet at that point. But it all depends on the wind. If it's 42 with Eastern wind, then it feels much colder.

    You are going to rock your half in a couple of weeks my friend.

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    1. My hands get unnaturally cold when I run; I don't know why. I think 42 felt super cold to us because we went from 70 degrees to 42...Texas doesn't know how to ease into things.

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  2. Im totally using the bribery on my long walk this weekend training for the half.

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  3. Congrats on the great run! Sounds like you are in good shape for your half!

    On the glove front, last year I got a pair of "Head" brand gloves at Costco -- the men's version, not the women's (They do still have them this year and they cost all of $12.99 - woot!). They are my go-tos, out of the several different brands/thicknesses of gloves that I own. Just the right warmth! I also have a pair of "Manzella" brand gloves that is basically a regular polarfleece glove with a mitten flap that can be flipped on or off to cover the finger part -- the mitten part is made out of a windbreaker-type material. I wear those on windier days and the flap really does make a difference in keeping out the wind. But on non-windy days they are annoying because if you take the mitten part off your fingers, it kind of just hangs there and flaps around as you run. I got mine at Marshall's a few years ago but it seems Zappos is currently carrying them: http://www.zappos.com/manzella-hatchback-black

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    1. Thanks for the suggestions - checking them out right now. I have a feeling I need more that a "runner's glove" so those Manzella gloves might be just the ticket.

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  4. Yay for a good run! Of course you have it in you to do a half - don't let the bad runs mess with you mentally.

    IMHO, I think the GU is causing your runner's stomach issues. Every time you say you've had several GUs you also say you had a hard time eating. I know there's something out there that would give you GU-like energy but not upset your stomach. I wish you could figure that out!

    I have Asics Run Mitten which is a glove with the mitten pull over. Honestly, it has to be really cold for me to wear them because they make my hands sweat! I don't know if they make them any more but something like that - a wicking glove/mitten combo might work really well for you.

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    1. It very well could be the GU that is causing the long-lasting stomach ache, but so much of the other gels squick me out (texture is an issue with me), and I can only chew things early on, so GU seems to be my default.

      I'll check out the Asics mittens - you know, my hands never sweat. I wonder if they have any bloodflow, LOL!

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  5. Congrats on running that 11 miles that totally rocks! Trust your training I am sure youll do fine at your half-marathon!!
    What did you bribe your self with if you don't mind my asking?

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    1. It was the Adidas boyfriend pants - I wrote about them on Mondays post. :)

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  6. During my 4 miles on Monday, I put those camping hand warmers (little hotties?) in each of my gloves. It was 23 degrees out. They were awesome! (Not sure how I'd feel for 11 miles, but you could always toss them).
    I missed your 10 mile race report, going back to read it now.

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    1. I've thought about those hand warmers - they get kind of dirty/gross, but I may resort to them if I can't find a better glove.

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  7. Hello knitter…. Angora is 7X warmer than wool, and cashmere is even a bit warmer. You could knit a pair of angora or cashmere gloves, and then wear a weatherproof type of glove over them!

    Totally great to be having runs where you are sore, but just temporary aches!

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    1. Knitting gloves - ack, too many fingers! I have my limits, LOL.

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  8. A suggestion on the gu/tummy issue front: I have been using Clif Shot Bloks. They are kind of like a chewier gummy bear texture, but I basically bite them in half and tuck one half in each cheek and just let them dissolve as I run. I get a slow release of sugar over a couple miles that way instead of chugging a gu all at once. Much easier on the tummy in my experience (and so far, no issues at the dentist -- I was a little worried that keeping what is basically candy tucked into my cheeks like a chipmunk for an hour straight might cause cavities, but so far so good!). Might be worth experimenting with them for a run though maybe not now, so close to your half -- you can buy a little pack of them for like $2 at Walmart (in the protein bar aisle). Good luck!

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    1. I too endorse Clif Shot Bloks but I chew them - they got me through all my marathons. Clif also makes a gel that they call Clif Shots. Maybe see if those would work over the GU gels.

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  9. No helpful advice here, just admiration for the way you're so determined and tenacious! Can't wait to hear how the half marathon goes, 'cause I'm betting you rock it. And you already have plenty to be proud of in what you've accomplished training for it!

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    1. From your mouth to my feet, I hope I can rock that half marathon! :)

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  10. Woohoo 11 miles and it was great! What a beautiful day in running world! :-)

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  11. Yay for the run, except for the dead creatures. !! Ewww

    I thought of you thismorning when I got an email from thorlos--
    announcing Maui Experia colors!
    2 of your faves together! Well, 3 really, fave socks, fave vaca, + color!
    Chrissy

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    1. I've seen those socks - it's like they were thinking "how can we get someone who has 90 billion pairs of our socks to buy more?" - yep, I'm drooling over them!

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  12. I haven't visited your blog in forever and I'm SO happy to see you're still running strong. You will always be my inspiration!!!

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  13. Have we talked about the Mizuno Breath Thermo gloves? The ones made of the material of our Fudd hats? Those were always my go-to for running gloves .... they always seemed to work for me, almost too well as I can remember almost always taking them off for being too hot ....

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  14. Your determination and continuity inspire me. It's easy(ish) when the going is good, but it takes a lot of moxie to dig deep during the tough times and get it done.

    Sadly, moxie does not do much good for warming the hands. :)

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  15. Woo Hoo! Those great days always feel so great!

    It's funny, when we do our really long rides - I don't even want to look at food at the end. In the middle of the ride, yes, but the evenings I have no appetite.

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  16. So glad you got a good long run under your belt to give you some confidence for what is ahead! Re: cold hands .. what about those little packets that hunters tuck in their gloves? Never used them, but I know there is something like that.

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