We headed to Providence yesterday to visit Ryan. It was brutally hot. We walked some, getting the kinks out after the ride. I decided not to try to fit a run in even though the plan called for three miles. I'd just log a couple of miles on the treadmill early morning at the hotel; I'm always up before Rick, especially away from home. It's a good way to be quiet - not be in the room.
Unfortunately, the treadmill was dead. I didn't want to try any of the other equipment - not gonna take any chances this close to Sunday. I could have gone outside, but it was a very traffic-y area. Instead, after Rick and I had breakfast, we walked for two hours around campus and in Providence (we knew the kids would be sleeping till we called).
So, some movement, but no running. My taper is more of a stop.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Preparation
I ran four miles today. The heat and humidity made sure I was drenched with sweat before I was half way through. Still felt pretty good, though. I was thinking of everything I wanted to bring with me and going over my game plan for Sunday.
I decided that I've done enough runs and races in enough varying conditions that I should draw on that in preparing. I'm sure I've complained (even whined) sufficiently about deer flies to give some indication as to how much I hate them. The porcine B2B was held in August in prime bug territory. The flags we were given to collect the numbered papers from the designated stations were also very helpful in keeping the deer flies off. I'm planning on constructing an easily carried and stored version of that flyswatter. It may not be necessary or only desirable on the last (i.e. more slow) lap. Still, I'll have something like it in my gear.
My sweaty four miles was also a test of my newly doctored old Nike Lunar Trainers. I cut the reinforced portions off in the area of my sensitive big toes. Now, it was a short run, but my toes felt fine during the run and even POST RUN!!! My toes normally hate running shoes when not running, but I spent at least an hour in them after. I suspect that these will be my shoes for the final lap (unless it's slippery - they have no tread).
I've got a couple more issues to work on. I'm having fun stocking "Camp Val" (thanks for the name, George!).
I decided that I've done enough runs and races in enough varying conditions that I should draw on that in preparing. I'm sure I've complained (even whined) sufficiently about deer flies to give some indication as to how much I hate them. The porcine B2B was held in August in prime bug territory. The flags we were given to collect the numbered papers from the designated stations were also very helpful in keeping the deer flies off. I'm planning on constructing an easily carried and stored version of that flyswatter. It may not be necessary or only desirable on the last (i.e. more slow) lap. Still, I'll have something like it in my gear.
My sweaty four miles was also a test of my newly doctored old Nike Lunar Trainers. I cut the reinforced portions off in the area of my sensitive big toes. Now, it was a short run, but my toes felt fine during the run and even POST RUN!!! My toes normally hate running shoes when not running, but I spent at least an hour in them after. I suspect that these will be my shoes for the final lap (unless it's slippery - they have no tread).
I've got a couple more issues to work on. I'm having fun stocking "Camp Val" (thanks for the name, George!).
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Bradbury's Best
Rick and I headed to LL Bean early this a.m. to get a sun/rain shelter to act as our base at Pineland. Any Monster is welcome to leave their drop bag with us if it's easier to deal with next week. I get little flutters in my stomach thinking about the race!
Then we headed to Bradbury for 5 miles. We opted to run the Scuffle course till we reached 5 miles and then walk in. I am always amazed at how much I like running there. I do believe it's my favorite non-winter place to run. We saw about 31 pink Lady Slippers while still running (they were just about in the path...I'm surprised I didn't pick any out on Snowman's video) and then another 25 in the mile we walked.
The parking lot was about full by the time we got back. Nice to see people enjoying the park.
Then we headed to Bradbury for 5 miles. We opted to run the Scuffle course till we reached 5 miles and then walk in. I am always amazed at how much I like running there. I do believe it's my favorite non-winter place to run. We saw about 31 pink Lady Slippers while still running (they were just about in the path...I'm surprised I didn't pick any out on Snowman's video) and then another 25 in the mile we walked.
The parking lot was about full by the time we got back. Nice to see people enjoying the park.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Taper
I'm mostly sticking to my running plan. I've got a few extra miles in this week, but they are gentle miles. I've also rearranged when I ran them. I'll see if I can remember some of the best parts of some of the runs.
I ran (3) 2-mile runs with Bethany this week. She's getting ready for the Scuffle after taking a pretty big running layoff. It's neat how much quicker it comes back even though we say we're starting at square one. The body/mind learns something. She's gonna do great :)
Thursday I headed to Pineland with Linda and Judy (a good friend who's done the 25K twice before). It was a beautiful day, but bit too humid for this early in the season. It was definitely evident in the difference in Linda's pace between the last time we ran there and this. No big deal, we just took it a little more easy and counted Lady Slippers. We got up to 30. No where near Danielle's 100+ on her run (I tried to find the post on her blog to link to, but, perhaps that was just on FB). The only minor, minor annoyances were a couple of ticks and the swatting at the first deer fly of the year (scary in that it might bode badly for the big race).
Friday I met up with Dora to run trails in Portland. We started out with the Fore River Sanctuary and then ran down Congress to add most of Stroudwater. The weather was perfect. The humidity of the day before was gone, but we still had the wonderful sun and a nice breeze. Dora is always good to run with. The conversation is so interesting and lively, you don't notice effort. Fortunately we noticed the beautiful scenery and even a Mallard mom and her four babies swimming behind on the Fore River.
After, I headed to Maine Running to pick up new shorts (my rule is I get something new for each big event) and a few insurance GUs. Then on to Whole Foods where I ran into Ann and George Alexion! A funny coincidence after running into them at the Green Elephant the week before. A nice chat about the upcoming race and then I directed them to the best free samples ever (it was a good day for samples in general at WF, but these glorified ice cream sandwiches were beyond yummy!).
Today I ran an easy 10 in mainly in our fields with a couple of miles on our now dirt road (it's all chewed up to be repaved).
I ran (3) 2-mile runs with Bethany this week. She's getting ready for the Scuffle after taking a pretty big running layoff. It's neat how much quicker it comes back even though we say we're starting at square one. The body/mind learns something. She's gonna do great :)
Thursday I headed to Pineland with Linda and Judy (a good friend who's done the 25K twice before). It was a beautiful day, but bit too humid for this early in the season. It was definitely evident in the difference in Linda's pace between the last time we ran there and this. No big deal, we just took it a little more easy and counted Lady Slippers. We got up to 30. No where near Danielle's 100+ on her run (I tried to find the post on her blog to link to, but, perhaps that was just on FB). The only minor, minor annoyances were a couple of ticks and the swatting at the first deer fly of the year (scary in that it might bode badly for the big race).
Friday I met up with Dora to run trails in Portland. We started out with the Fore River Sanctuary and then ran down Congress to add most of Stroudwater. The weather was perfect. The humidity of the day before was gone, but we still had the wonderful sun and a nice breeze. Dora is always good to run with. The conversation is so interesting and lively, you don't notice effort. Fortunately we noticed the beautiful scenery and even a Mallard mom and her four babies swimming behind on the Fore River.
After, I headed to Maine Running to pick up new shorts (my rule is I get something new for each big event) and a few insurance GUs. Then on to Whole Foods where I ran into Ann and George Alexion! A funny coincidence after running into them at the Green Elephant the week before. A nice chat about the upcoming race and then I directed them to the best free samples ever (it was a good day for samples in general at WF, but these glorified ice cream sandwiches were beyond yummy!).
Today I ran an easy 10 in mainly in our fields with a couple of miles on our now dirt road (it's all chewed up to be repaved).
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Buggy but Good
I can't decide which day to start with. Both Saturday and Sunday were great runs for different reasons. OK, I'll go with chronological order. Saturday I headed to Pineland where I knew a lot of TMs would be running, but I was looking specifically to meet up with George and Four to run the entire 25K loop at a relaxed pace. BJ, a non-TM that has run with us before, also joined in our loop.
The temperature was near perfect for running, which to me means a little cooler than you'd like to hang out in a tee shirt. There was a pretty stiff breeze that really was only noticeable when we were in the parking lot because the woods seemed to protect us from it otherwise.
I was amazed (though knowing George, probably shouldn't have been) at how strong George was given that he'd run 50 miles the Sunday before. We went out a little faster than I thought we would, but it's hard not to when the lead people are Ian, Jeff, Jim, and all. The idea was to go our own pace, but we still felt that pull at the start. Somewhere around 2.5 to 3 miles we settled back into a more relaxed pace.
I could tell the guys were stronger on the hills than I was, but I felt stronger in the fields (most likely cause I've run our fields so much). They were not very fun since the path hadn't been mowed yet and the grass/hay was over knee high. In fact, at one point, I noticed what I thought was stinging nettle. A few seconds later I was asking George and BJ if the grass was cutting them, too. BJ said no, but his knees were stinging. Duh, it was the nettles. Instead of cuts, when I really looked, I had teeny welts. Kind of reminded me of my childhood! My brother and cousins would play sword fight with nettles.
After the first side, we made a brief stop at the cars to refill fluids. I made use of the break to change my very wet shoes and socks. And then we were off across the road. The only field we skipped was the first one on the 2nd side since it had been freshly plowed and looked like it had been seeded. The Oak Hill side is so much easier than the first. How can it be more down than up?!
When we got back to the parking lot, Four was refueling for more. George said he'd done just what he wanted. When I said I was good, but .8 short of my plan, George said he would be happy to finish that up with me. Yay! I like writing the proper number in the book! BJ joined us for a very (sorry, John :) )easy .8 cool down. I never heard from Four, but hope he got in the mileage he was looking to do.
That brings us to today. Rick joined me for the first 4 miles of my 10 mile day. We ran about a 9:15 pace chatting the whole way. It was when I noticed my first bobolinks of the year. I love those birds! After Rick left me to the rest of my run, I had a few more firsts. I almost stepped on a snake. That's never happened in May before. Then I came to a little "pond" that I planned to stop at to figure out what the little fish were that were swimming around in a barely overgrown puddle. While steeling myself to bushwhack through what was no-doubt tick territory, I was shocked to have a horsefly land on me. Now I'll never know what little fishies were swimming around. I HATE horseflies - probably cause I'm also allergic to them.
Oh, yesterday, even after all the fields, I just had one tick. Today, I had one dog tick and one deer tick. Buggy, but good.
The temperature was near perfect for running, which to me means a little cooler than you'd like to hang out in a tee shirt. There was a pretty stiff breeze that really was only noticeable when we were in the parking lot because the woods seemed to protect us from it otherwise.
I was amazed (though knowing George, probably shouldn't have been) at how strong George was given that he'd run 50 miles the Sunday before. We went out a little faster than I thought we would, but it's hard not to when the lead people are Ian, Jeff, Jim, and all. The idea was to go our own pace, but we still felt that pull at the start. Somewhere around 2.5 to 3 miles we settled back into a more relaxed pace.
I could tell the guys were stronger on the hills than I was, but I felt stronger in the fields (most likely cause I've run our fields so much). They were not very fun since the path hadn't been mowed yet and the grass/hay was over knee high. In fact, at one point, I noticed what I thought was stinging nettle. A few seconds later I was asking George and BJ if the grass was cutting them, too. BJ said no, but his knees were stinging. Duh, it was the nettles. Instead of cuts, when I really looked, I had teeny welts. Kind of reminded me of my childhood! My brother and cousins would play sword fight with nettles.
After the first side, we made a brief stop at the cars to refill fluids. I made use of the break to change my very wet shoes and socks. And then we were off across the road. The only field we skipped was the first one on the 2nd side since it had been freshly plowed and looked like it had been seeded. The Oak Hill side is so much easier than the first. How can it be more down than up?!
When we got back to the parking lot, Four was refueling for more. George said he'd done just what he wanted. When I said I was good, but .8 short of my plan, George said he would be happy to finish that up with me. Yay! I like writing the proper number in the book! BJ joined us for a very (sorry, John :) )easy .8 cool down. I never heard from Four, but hope he got in the mileage he was looking to do.
That brings us to today. Rick joined me for the first 4 miles of my 10 mile day. We ran about a 9:15 pace chatting the whole way. It was when I noticed my first bobolinks of the year. I love those birds! After Rick left me to the rest of my run, I had a few more firsts. I almost stepped on a snake. That's never happened in May before. Then I came to a little "pond" that I planned to stop at to figure out what the little fish were that were swimming around in a barely overgrown puddle. While steeling myself to bushwhack through what was no-doubt tick territory, I was shocked to have a horsefly land on me. Now I'll never know what little fishies were swimming around. I HATE horseflies - probably cause I'm also allergic to them.
Oh, yesterday, even after all the fields, I just had one tick. Today, I had one dog tick and one deer tick. Buggy, but good.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Two From Home
Yesterday was the last day I had to drive Sam to Gorham. The statistics final took way less time than I had figured so we had time to kill before lunch. We were heading to Portland to the Green Elephant to celebrate the end of the semester (since Sam is upstairs working on a final paper for Lit. there might be a debate on the semester being over...but it was the end of our commute!). So after a trips to Maine Running Co and Whole Foods and then a walk around the Old Port, we headed to lunch.
I had take-out from the Green Elephant before and was in love with the dish I had. Now I'm in danger of never trying anything else. It's true love. Sam had a different dish that looked pretty yummy, but not one that would make me switch. We were waiting for our bill when I looked up to see Ann and George Alexion walk in! How "it's a small world" is that?! They had never been there either, but had Googled vegetarian restaurants in Portland.
I noticed Ann's new VFF's which were adorable in pink. They told me about their trip to VT, very exciting! I look forward to hearing more about it when we meet up Saturday at Bradbury for a 25K loop.
Once we got home, I had to wait to run because I was still too stuffed, well, that and the Sox were playing. After the last out, I quickly headed out the door. I ran some of the fields plus the Packard's dirt road for 7.6. My pace was pretty snappy compared to what I have been doing...I think I just like the cool temps.
Today I ran just over over 8 miles on the same terrain, but with more of it in the field and less on the dirt road. Probably the same effort as yesterday, but the pace was slower just due to more in the field.
I thought I might have a good picture to post - a big fat raccoon in the tree right out my kitchen window, but I couldn't get the camera and get it turned on before we scared it. I'm sure we'll see it again.
I had take-out from the Green Elephant before and was in love with the dish I had. Now I'm in danger of never trying anything else. It's true love. Sam had a different dish that looked pretty yummy, but not one that would make me switch. We were waiting for our bill when I looked up to see Ann and George Alexion walk in! How "it's a small world" is that?! They had never been there either, but had Googled vegetarian restaurants in Portland.
I noticed Ann's new VFF's which were adorable in pink. They told me about their trip to VT, very exciting! I look forward to hearing more about it when we meet up Saturday at Bradbury for a 25K loop.
Once we got home, I had to wait to run because I was still too stuffed, well, that and the Sox were playing. After the last out, I quickly headed out the door. I ran some of the fields plus the Packard's dirt road for 7.6. My pace was pretty snappy compared to what I have been doing...I think I just like the cool temps.
Today I ran just over over 8 miles on the same terrain, but with more of it in the field and less on the dirt road. Probably the same effort as yesterday, but the pace was slower just due to more in the field.
I thought I might have a good picture to post - a big fat raccoon in the tree right out my kitchen window, but I couldn't get the camera and get it turned on before we scared it. I'm sure we'll see it again.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Low-Tech Six
Today we headed to Gorham 45 minutes earlier than usual. Sam had a final in Digital Logic. I thought I'd prepared as usual, but I forgot Chris's Garmin and wasn't even wearing a watch. Oh well, I would sort of know my mileage from what I'd run before and looked at my cell for the start and stop time. Still, I don't know how many times I looked at my wrist.
It was a crisp, sunny day and I enjoyed every step of my run. By the time I got back to the car, Sam was waiting for me...a two hour final done in less than an hour!
So I'm officially in my taper. I already posted on Facebook that I was feeling like last year at this time... That I was ready to be done with the ultras. Of course, when I finished last year, I knew I wanted another try since I really felt 10 hours was doable for me. It's just that right now I am thinking how nice it will be to not have a number written down that I'm supposed to do that day; I'll run what I want.
BUT, I also know how much I feel adrift when I don't have something written in my book to do. A lot of times I run more miles because I don't know enough to take a day off without a zero planned. We'll see. I suspect I'm hooked, but, right now....
It was a crisp, sunny day and I enjoyed every step of my run. By the time I got back to the car, Sam was waiting for me...a two hour final done in less than an hour!
So I'm officially in my taper. I already posted on Facebook that I was feeling like last year at this time... That I was ready to be done with the ultras. Of course, when I finished last year, I knew I wanted another try since I really felt 10 hours was doable for me. It's just that right now I am thinking how nice it will be to not have a number written down that I'm supposed to do that day; I'll run what I want.
BUT, I also know how much I feel adrift when I don't have something written in my book to do. A lot of times I run more miles because I don't know enough to take a day off without a zero planned. We'll see. I suspect I'm hooked, but, right now....
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Biggest Mileage Week Ever...
for me. When Ryan called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day (good boy!) I told him....He was surprised that, with "just" my 60.8, last year's 50-miler week wasn't higher. I checked; That was a 59 mile week.
Yesterday I ran 26 miles in the cool, rain/drizzle. It was so much better than the warmer, sunny day that I ran 24 the week before. I had no hydration issues. Since heat wasn't an issue I was also able to start later so that more of the run could be done in the fields during post-turkey hunting hours.
I can't think of anything that really stands out except that there were no problems. OH! and I was so startled by a lone hen turkey that I actually screamed. I had been in my own little world and nearly ran into her. She was then even more startled. Of course that scared me again! Glad she survived the morning hours :)
Today I felt pretty good on my 10 miler even though my periodic insomnia is in full bloom. It's amazing to me sometimes how little sleep I get. And we used to think Grandpa was exaggerating when he said he was only getting three hours a night. Well, I hope I take after him in the good ways too!
Yesterday I ran 26 miles in the cool, rain/drizzle. It was so much better than the warmer, sunny day that I ran 24 the week before. I had no hydration issues. Since heat wasn't an issue I was also able to start later so that more of the run could be done in the fields during post-turkey hunting hours.
I can't think of anything that really stands out except that there were no problems. OH! and I was so startled by a lone hen turkey that I actually screamed. I had been in my own little world and nearly ran into her. She was then even more startled. Of course that scared me again! Glad she survived the morning hours :)
Today I felt pretty good on my 10 miler even though my periodic insomnia is in full bloom. It's amazing to me sometimes how little sleep I get. And we used to think Grandpa was exaggerating when he said he was only getting three hours a night. Well, I hope I take after him in the good ways too!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Fun Cursing
Trail running...always an adventure (or the possibility of adventure). I think in a past post I complained about the running (or lack of good running) in Gorham. A chance meeting with Dora changed that perception.
Today I was going to head to a paved trail that I'd seen on my way to USM, but had never tried. I clocked the distance I'd need to drive back to the trail and decided I'd rather run from the school than add another 12 miles to my drive for the day (kind of un-ecofriendly). So I went towards the trails behind Gorham High to see how many miles I could log there.
Seemed like I'd found another trail than Dora had showed me but it eventually connected to a really marshy one we'd done. I was feeling pretty full of myself running on a make-shift bridge of downed logs through the mud till the logs stopped but the mud didn't! I tried to hold up, but landed squarely in the mud. My shoe stayed deep in the first footfall while my sock-clad foot had no choice but to land deeply in the mud, too. It was hard enough to get my foot out of the sucking mud; I couldn't believe how much of a hold the mud had on my shoe. While the mosquitoes feasted, I alternated between cursing and laughing all the while trying to free my shoe.
Once I pulled it out, I had to squeeze my mud-covered sock into the muddier-covered shoe. AND I had only gone 2.5 miles of my eight mile run. Oh, yes, trail running fun! That may sound sarcastic, but I really was having a great time. I finished up what I could find of the trails in that area and headed out to the x-country course. I only got in one loop before I needed to head back.
I think I probably left some mud in the restroom in the lobby of the engineering building. Couldn't be helped.
Today I was going to head to a paved trail that I'd seen on my way to USM, but had never tried. I clocked the distance I'd need to drive back to the trail and decided I'd rather run from the school than add another 12 miles to my drive for the day (kind of un-ecofriendly). So I went towards the trails behind Gorham High to see how many miles I could log there.
Seemed like I'd found another trail than Dora had showed me but it eventually connected to a really marshy one we'd done. I was feeling pretty full of myself running on a make-shift bridge of downed logs through the mud till the logs stopped but the mud didn't! I tried to hold up, but landed squarely in the mud. My shoe stayed deep in the first footfall while my sock-clad foot had no choice but to land deeply in the mud, too. It was hard enough to get my foot out of the sucking mud; I couldn't believe how much of a hold the mud had on my shoe. While the mosquitoes feasted, I alternated between cursing and laughing all the while trying to free my shoe.
Once I pulled it out, I had to squeeze my mud-covered sock into the muddier-covered shoe. AND I had only gone 2.5 miles of my eight mile run. Oh, yes, trail running fun! That may sound sarcastic, but I really was having a great time. I finished up what I could find of the trails in that area and headed out to the x-country course. I only got in one loop before I needed to head back.
I think I probably left some mud in the restroom in the lobby of the engineering building. Couldn't be helped.
Potrland Trails
What a day for a run! Especially on trails! Four and I met at 1:30 at the Fore River Sanctuary. We ran that course and then headed down Congress St. to find the Stroudwater Trail. Neither of us had run there before, but Ian had mentioned it was a good run. Yup!
By the time we'd gotten back to our cars, I still needed some more mileage to get up to what the "plan" says so we headed back out to bring the total up to 9.95. I got back to USM with just enough time to change out of the sweaty running stuff before Sam got out of class. Success!
By the time we'd gotten back to our cars, I still needed some more mileage to get up to what the "plan" says so we headed back out to bring the total up to 9.95. I got back to USM with just enough time to change out of the sweaty running stuff before Sam got out of class. Success!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
More
It would be so easy to log lots of miles if I could run all of them with TM's. Instead of the measly 4 that my schedule had me running today, I had a fun almost 6.5 thanks to TM Dora. Gabbing with her, I hardly realized that we were covering any ground. It's so cool to have friends who understand what you're doing and are so supportive and positive. I would hold up Dora, Danielle, Emma, and Mindy as the best examples of cheer leaders that I've ever encountered. Are trail runners naturally supportive, positive people? Or does the activity transform people?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Drink Up
Okay, I did all 58 of my planned miles for the week bringing me up to 714.something for the year. Yesterday I got up early to bring Sam for SAT's and figured I'd get an early start on my 24 miles. When I saw a hunter's truck parked near the fields, I realized it was the start of turkey season and the fields would be off limits to me till noon. I didn't want to wait too late to run so opted to do a big portion on the roads.
My first leg was just over 12 miles. I'd brought 16 oz of Gatorade and 1 Gu knowing that I'd be back in time for the next fix. I didn't realize how much I would be sweating, but felt good right along. I refilled my Fuel Belt flasks, drank another 16 oz, had 1/2 PBJ, and some pretzels. I also changed my sports bra and shirt. Back to the road, but at least this 8 mile stint included some dirt road stretches.
I was stopped by a Lisbon cop (I was heading back into Lisbon from Sabattus). He wanted to know if I'd seen two 30-something guys in jeans anywhere. Nope. Guess they'd broken into a house, beat up the owner, and robbed the place. Yup, I'd be glad to get back to the fields.
This time back home, I realized I needed to drink more. Even though I had 16 oz with me for just the 8 miles, I was definitely feeling thirsty. So I had more Gatorade and a 12 oz Coke, the rest of my PBJ, more pretzels, and some Honey Stinger Chews. Even though I had just under 4 miles left for my field leg, I brought 16 more oz of Gatorade.
As soon as I got home I drank another 6 oz of Gatorade before heading to the shower. I weighed myself and was surprised to find out I was nearly 5 lbs lighter than at the start. I know I sweat a lot, but, since my early days of running, I've ususally been pretty good at staying hydrated.
In my first marathon (back in '86), I lost 8 pounds...and that was measured after some post-run eating. AND I was nearly 10 pounds lighter as a base weight then (you know, pre-babies and 24 years) so that was a huge % of my body weight for a marathon. That was also before I knew that I needed more than just water and don't think any one knew of Gu.
Now, I didn't think to weigh myself before heading out on my 10 miles today; I just assumed I did a good re-hydrating job. It was pretty hot out there - even on the humid side. Normally I wouldn't have brought fluids with me on a 10 mile easy run, but, given the conditions and my condition yesterday, took some along. Good thing. I was dripping wet after just two miles.
At least I had Rick for company on the first 3 miles. I picked two ticks of the back of his legs before he headed back to the house. Made me feel like each mud splatter on me was a tick crawling up.
Given how hard my run was, even though all of my parts were fully recovered from the day before, I suspected I was still low on fluids. I was even another pound down from the low of yesterday. Wow! Hadn't seen that number on the scale since pre-kids.
Gotta drink more.
My first leg was just over 12 miles. I'd brought 16 oz of Gatorade and 1 Gu knowing that I'd be back in time for the next fix. I didn't realize how much I would be sweating, but felt good right along. I refilled my Fuel Belt flasks, drank another 16 oz, had 1/2 PBJ, and some pretzels. I also changed my sports bra and shirt. Back to the road, but at least this 8 mile stint included some dirt road stretches.
I was stopped by a Lisbon cop (I was heading back into Lisbon from Sabattus). He wanted to know if I'd seen two 30-something guys in jeans anywhere. Nope. Guess they'd broken into a house, beat up the owner, and robbed the place. Yup, I'd be glad to get back to the fields.
This time back home, I realized I needed to drink more. Even though I had 16 oz with me for just the 8 miles, I was definitely feeling thirsty. So I had more Gatorade and a 12 oz Coke, the rest of my PBJ, more pretzels, and some Honey Stinger Chews. Even though I had just under 4 miles left for my field leg, I brought 16 more oz of Gatorade.
As soon as I got home I drank another 6 oz of Gatorade before heading to the shower. I weighed myself and was surprised to find out I was nearly 5 lbs lighter than at the start. I know I sweat a lot, but, since my early days of running, I've ususally been pretty good at staying hydrated.
In my first marathon (back in '86), I lost 8 pounds...and that was measured after some post-run eating. AND I was nearly 10 pounds lighter as a base weight then (you know, pre-babies and 24 years) so that was a huge % of my body weight for a marathon. That was also before I knew that I needed more than just water and don't think any one knew of Gu.
Now, I didn't think to weigh myself before heading out on my 10 miles today; I just assumed I did a good re-hydrating job. It was pretty hot out there - even on the humid side. Normally I wouldn't have brought fluids with me on a 10 mile easy run, but, given the conditions and my condition yesterday, took some along. Good thing. I was dripping wet after just two miles.
At least I had Rick for company on the first 3 miles. I picked two ticks of the back of his legs before he headed back to the house. Made me feel like each mud splatter on me was a tick crawling up.
Given how hard my run was, even though all of my parts were fully recovered from the day before, I suspected I was still low on fluids. I was even another pound down from the low of yesterday. Wow! Hadn't seen that number on the scale since pre-kids.
Gotta drink more.
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