It was okay...
minus the fact my calves got so tight at mile 16 i almost couldn't finish. But i did! The farthest I have ever run in my life!
Overall, I think I did a lot correct that I did not do at my 15-miler, which will still go down as the worst training run of my life. I hit so many walls, I wanted to cry but powered through (with a horrible 14 minute mile, including having to go back to my apartment every 3-4 miles to eat and roll my legs). Never again!!!
I started the run very early in the morning. I woke up at my usual 6:30 and started getting ready. I have not been this nervous since my first half so what did I do to calm down? WATCH THE DISNEY PLANNING VIDEO and it worked. I was much calmer and it refocused me that all of this training is really to run Dopey In 2015!
Ate breakfast-bagel, peanut butter, tea, water and a banana. turns out i ate too much of a my bagel and had cramps for the first 2 miles (which was actually okay because the lights were not working with me!) but my stomach calmed down after that. And the tea gave me the caffeine boost I needed that early in the morning (English breakfast for the win!)
headed out at 7:30 and off i went on the 2.5 miles to the Rose Bowl. I was excited to see all of the rose bowl parade stuff still up and excited to see all of the stuff getting set up for the national championship. I love living in Pasadena and being able to run around the rosé bowl. It's just gorgeous!
when I got to the Rose Bowl, around 8:15, and I was so excited to see other people up and running. I saw at least four running clubs/groups and it motivated me as well I did 3 laps there and got in a lot of viewing for the National Championship.its insane the amount of things they had to set up twice and all of being done while people are still playing golf on the golf course!
good news-love having no lights and just road!
bad news-TOO MANY WALKERS AND DOGS ON NEW YEARS KICKS. I saw more dog fights than I ever need to see again. and also people walking way too deep across. And dog poop everywhere!
good news-refilled my water on last 2 laps (should have refilled on the first lap)
bad news-my favorite bathroom was locked and I had to pee at mile 10! So I had to run to my favorite little park next door and never felt so much relieve in my life! this added another mile to my run which meant only 5 miles after i went back to my apartment.
headed back from the rose bowl and the lights worked well so I got to keep a good rhythm. Got back to my apartment at mile 15 to eat half a banana, a bit of a bagel, use the bathroom, powerade and cold water and a quick roll of the legs all in less than five minutes. I also restocked my fuel and I'm glad I did-my legs needed it. My calf hurt a bit heading home and i think the rolling actually hurt my leg because I was amazing mile 15-16 and then NOPE. walking, more walking, almost crying. I used my Chi running technique of CALMING DOWN and relaxing and did get a bit better as I had another shot blok. I also refocused myself to remind myself that I could do this even if it means I have to walk the last few miles. Which I didn't.
bad news-LIGHTS! really messes up the rhythm
good news-my music rocked! The new Zedd album is great for running.
bad news-i had my nike+ monitor going and IT RESET WITH 1.3 MILES TO GO. thank goodness i had my fitbit force on as I knew exactly where I was and how long I had. well it reset and i do not have those miles :( i was really looking forward to analyzing my run and my strength and weakness in my miles and NO GO. lesson learned: don't relay too much on technology.
I finished with .5 miles left to my house so I could walk it out. not going to lie-I cried like a baby. I was so happy with my accomplishment especially with my leg acting up. If you had told me that 4 years ago when I signed up for the Disneyland half I would be preparing to run a marathon, I would have thought you were insane and here I am with one more long training run ahead!
bad news: my legs hurt FOREVER (well until wednesday). So bad I didn't go to work on Monday (yeah doing 14 miles at Disneyland the day after a run may not be the best idea I have had in a while...). I also worked up Monday with cramps and a new cold so me and my bed were BFF on Monday.
good news: Looking back and doing some research, i need some more electrolyte in my body while running that far (I bought Margarita Shot Bloks ) because I think it was actually cramps. I also need to roll like crazy (3-4 times a day) to help with that. Also-I need to work on my leg technique. I'm using my calf to lift my legs which is a no go with chi running.
So in the future....
1. Continue to carbload 3-4 days before including basing my nutrition more off of "natural" carbs (sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, etc) than pasta
2. try for gluten-free pasta. I am going to test this out this week so we will see how it goes because me and gluten ARE NOT in a relationship right now.
3. stretch and roll 3-4 times a day starting a week before the race
4. do yoga the day before the race-helped so much!!!
5. continue to eat peanut butter, bagel, tea and water before the race
6. take shot bloks every 4 miles (with clif shots every 8-12 miles depending on how I feel)
7. continue working on Chi Running (a post coming on this in the future!)
8. margarita shot bloks for the win!
What's the longest run you have done?
How do you prep for long runs?
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