20 miles

Today I ran the longest run I will have before the White Rock Marathon 3 weeks from today (my first marathon).  I used this run as a trial run for the marathon and did some things differently than I usually do in hopes that I could figure out what to do on race day.  I started by eating breakfast about an hour before the run.  I never eat before I run but I know that I'm gonna need to eat something to run 26.2!  So this morning I had a whole wheat English muffin and half a banana and a small glass of skim milk.  Then I drank some water as well.

Oh I almost forgot - my thigh had been hurting for the last couple of days so last night before bed I took some Naproxen that was prescribed to me a couple of months ago when I messed up my hip.  It's an anti-inflammatory drug that really helps with minor aches and pains.  I also took one this morning.  It really masks any annoying pains.

I got dressed, put on my Band-Aids and Vaseline and put on my iPod and all of my running gear and ate 4 GU Chomps.  On long runs I wear a "hydration belt" that's pretty dorky but necessary cause I need the water and I need the pouch to carry stuff in.  I've been accused of wearing a fanny pack but let me tell you ... it's sooo much cooler!  :)  Here's a picture.

I carry my phone, GU Chomps and a 5-Hour Energy in the pouch.  I wish there was more room because today I realized I also need some Blistex for my lips and more food!  More on that later.

When I left this morning at about 7:30, the sun had just come up, it was still a little foggy and it was 42° outside.  It was supposed to warm up to low 60's.  I put on a light jacket and some gloves over my tank top.  And I was wearing shorts.  Since it was still a little dark outside when I left, I decided to do the first 4 miles through the neighborhood and then run back by the house so I could ditch the jacket and gloves if I got hot.  Those first 4 miles went quickly and I had to take off the gloves after about 2 miles.  The jacket was too much after about 2 as well but I kept it on because I didn't want to carry it.  When I passed the house I left the jacket and grabbed a bottle of water I had left outside and put it where I could get to it after the next 9 miles.

The next 9 miles are my favorite run.  I call it "the big square" because that's what it essentially is.  I run out past a waterpark then to some farmland that is a big 4 mile square.  There are cows and horses and very rarely a car.  About half way around the square (probably 9 miles into my run) I drank a 5-Hour Energy.  I have taken this a couple of times on long runs and it gives me a good boost.  I always drink the orange flavored one.  It kind of tastes like really strong Sunkist.  I like it.  My friend texted me while I was running and said that he tried grape on his 23 mile run yesterday and it tasted like ass!  I had to laugh!!  I think I'll stick with orange!

The next 4 miles were pretty uneventful.  I got into a good groove for about 10 minutes while some club trance song was on.  Kinda zoned everything else out and it was really nice.  Snapped this picture on about mile 11.  Was still going strong and feeling good.

At mile 13 I passed right behind my house and picked up the bottle of water I had left for myself (because I knew my 2 bottles of water on my fuel belt wouldn't be enough).  I drank that for the next 3 miles or so and it was kind of annoying carrying the bottle.  About this time I also noticed that my arm was starting to chafe.  It was under my left arm right by my armpit.  It was from my iPod strap rubbing on my arm.  Gonna have to do something about that during the marathon unless it's so cold I'm wearing long sleeves.

Got to mile 16.5 and tossed my water and 5 hour energy bottles in my friend's truck.  It's my turn-around spot and he always gets my trash.  Kind of a tradition I have going.  :)  At mile 17 I decided I would go longer than 20.  I was thinking 25 because I was still feeling really good!  Well, that all changed at about 18.5.  I started getting a little light-headed because I was so hungry.  I ate 4 more GU Chomps.  It didn't really help.  I needed food.  So when I got to my house (which was mile 20) I decided I needed to stop.  I went in, grabbed a couple of snacks and a Vitamin B juice and went back out and walked about 2 miles to cool down.

I am really happy with my run.  I went just over 20 miles in 3:22:38.  That's on pace for a 4:30 marathon which is my goal.  And I learned a lot of things that are going to help me in the race:

• Need to eat a bigger breakfast about an hour or hour and a half before start time.
• Alternate water and Gatorade every 2 miles or so during the race. (Thanks D for this tip!)
• Pack some food for the race - just a little Clif bar or something.
• Fix the problem with my iPod.
• Bring some Blistex cause my lips were hurting.
• Wear sunscreen even if it's cold.  I'm burnt!
• Shorts and a tank top unless it's gonna be under 40° the whole race.
• Wear blister Band-Aids.  They worked great!
• Vaseline under the eyes and on inner thighs was a good idea.
• Sunglasses the whole race!
  

I know this is long and boring for those of you that don't run but that's why I started this separate blog just for running stuff.  I wanted a place where I could put all of my running thoughts since most people don't care and I was really inspired this morning after my run.  So if you made it this far, thanks!  More soon.