Getting Stronger...the Long Run

I am getting stronger and smarter about my running. With all the stress of the end-of-school, I did not know how my long run would go this week. My mental state was "just get out there and do it." It went well....WOW! Here is what I learned.

Training Week: 11 (4 weeks and 3 days until Marathon)

Mileage: 35: 9 mile, 5 mile, 21 mile (ONE more long run 23 miles and then taper)

Firsts: Did not bonk and worked on mental tricks to improve performance. Again, the ipod had no effect on performance. It was nice to listen to "Glamorous" by Fergie and "Survivor" by Destiny's child came on twice in a row, cool! Kept a great pace and could run faster at the end. I was tired, but had more left in the tank at the end.

Nutrition: Ate more bananas this week. Duh! Also, for my long run, I took a whole power bar and a gel. I fueled up more often in hopes to avoid the full body fatigue. I ate at mile 6.5, 10.5, and 14.5. This helped tremendously. And really, all things considered, I was pretty fresh after 21 miles. I am excited because I did not get heartburn. Usually right after I fuel up, I get some heart burn (all the jiggling). None this time. After my long runs, I usually feel like I am in a deep nutritional hole that I cannot get out of for days. This week it was different. I was smarter, and  I drank Endurox right after my run (tasted like cold hot chocolate) and ate chickfila wrap soon after. Besides my normal increase in appetite, I have not felt nutritionally void. After today, I may not even feel that I did 21! 

Ouch: Remembered my Body Glide, so no permanent scars this week.

Revelation: Now it is all mental. I feel like I have come over a big hump physically, but now it is mental. The last 2 miles, I pretended that I was just out for a morning 5k, easy breezy, and it helped me forget that I was at the end of the run. I also found that if I go too slow, it hurts more and it messes with me mentally. 

2B FASTER: Tempo run went well this week (actually did 2, whoops). I am pleased to have increased my lactic threshold. My hill tolerance has improved in so many ways. I think back a year, and some of the hills that I used to think about are not even there anymore. It is exciting. All this translates to faster time and more consistent work. 

FUNNY: It is funny when you set out for an out and back route of 6 miles each way and wish it was longer so you did have to do it almost 4 times. 

GOD is GOOD: When scientist say we do not use 90% of our brain power, I translate this to our God power too. We do not use 90%of our God power. He has so much to offer. Give it to God, and he will give you strength.

What's Happening NOW

Now that you have read my history. I will bring you up-to-date on my training for my second marathon. It has been pretty easy. What? Easy....well looking at my racing history, you can see that I was completely over trained for my first marathon. Realize that this was my first year of running in my entire life, so I had a lot to learn. I had a training plan for my first marathon, but I was also building running chops, and let's just say I was running the marathon on borrowed time and legs. Since the marathon, I have read several books and have found a balance in racing and training. I know that the next one will be better.

THIS WEEK

TRAINING WEEK 10- stamina phase (concentrating on longer tempo runs, and longer long runs)

MILEAGE the Week: 38 miles

EATING: Don't forget to eat your daily banana....man, I was getting cocky and thought I had the nutrition down, HA....bananas make all the difference. Oh, and I tried my first Gel on my long run. I am not a big pudding fan, so I told myself before I ingested it that it was going to be like yogurt. It was, but a little thicker. I think it definitely helped. I had been using the Jelly Belly Sport Beans. They are awesome if you are burning a lot of Glucose. Recently, they just were not cutting it and were too sugary with a big let down. I am not running super fast and staying mainly in the fat-burning zone, so I just need calories, carbs, and maybe a little caffeine. 

FIRSTS: Ran 19 miles in the pouring rain (guess, I did not need the sunscreen), did 3 back-to-back days of challenging runs and feel great.

OUCH: Don't forget the body glide. I might have permanent scars from my running bra; forgot twice on long runs.  I have two sticks now so that I do not forget (one in the running bag and one by my sink in the bathroom)

REVELATION: If you asked me a year ago if I would run  without my ipod, I would have said heck no....but, now, I could care less if I have the ipod or not. It does come in handy on the 20 milers though :)

2 B Faster: My new years resolution was simple, 2 B Faster. I am not fast by nature, I have no glutes (although, I am working on them). I have been successful with this goal and have improved my times in one year.

• 5k: 6 minutes faster
• 10k: 11 minutes faster
• Half-Marathon: 6 minutes faster
• Marathon: Yet-to-be determined....hoping for 45 minutes faster (fresher legs and not over stretching should do the trick)

ONE-YEAR Anniversary

It has been one year since I ran my first 5k. I would like to thank God for the strength and ability, Kim for the inspiration to work out at dark-thirty in the morning, and my husband for supporting my race habit and for taking great care of Savannah. I would not have accomplished all this without a great support system.

Since May 10th, 2008, I have logged over 1,000 miles and have run the following Races...

• 10: 5ks
• 8: 10ks
• 4 Half-Marathons
• 1 Full Marathon
• Currently training for Marathon 2 on June 20th 2009

It has been a great year, I have completely changed my body shape, dropped another 25 lbs 

(55 total) and have never felt better. I have learned that with Faithful persistence and God's help, anything is possible. I really cannot believe that I am a runner. I even have several running skirts...I do not like skirts...but I love my running skirts. Who knew? Really!