Down To The Wire...

Less Than 3 Weeks To Go

 I've trained religiously, fueled properly, and tried multiple different shoes/running belts/nutritional supplements.  But, I'm starting to doubt everything.

I notice every slight foot cramp or minor ache. I wake up in the middle of the night sweating from panic; what if I can't even finish a full marathon? Maybe I should downgrade to the half and aim for a more attainable PR.

Nothing about this training has been easy. I've done it, yes. But I remember last time I trained for a marathon, some days felt effortless. I'd breeze through 8 miles and consider doing 10 or 12. This time nearly every run has been a challenge. The closest feeling I've had to 'effortless' was Ragnar - and not because it was easy (anything but). But adrenaline and euphoria and the team mentality numbed  the pain I felt while running. I'm so tired some days it's almost impossible to drag myself out the door for even a 5 mile run. I do it, which is great, but it is not easy. It sucks. 

Now I'm questioning everything. I should have picked a harder training plan. I should have been properly fitted for running shoes. I should have ran a practice half marathon this month. Now I will begin cutting back the miles; the time to prepare has passed. 

Let it go...

My times are slower than when I trained for Richmond 3 years ago. 3 years ago I crossed the finish line at 4:08:53. Not a bad time, especially for a first marathon. I have been so caught up on taking 10 minutes off of that time that it's made my training less than enjoyable; actually I've felt pretty miserable. Now I wonder if I could even come close to running that time again.

1870

INDIA JOHNSON

5076

54:26

1:55:14

3:00:25

4:08:53

I ran 20 miles in hurricane force winds last Saturday. I was so angry I couldn't gain my usual speed. My legs hurt, my lungs hurt, and it really wasn't a good run. I've also felt sick ever since... which is just great. All I can think about is how my goal is slipping away, and how I may never run a sub 4 hour marathon. And how bad I really want to. It's not all it's about, but it's a big part. 

Everyone has doubts, but mine this time around are really messing with my head. Just one of the downsides that come with racing...

Hoping I can shake these feelings soon and get pumped for Richmond again. Tapering is the worst part of training.

Hunger Pains

It NEVER Ends

I just finished an entire plate of salad, fresh veggies, chicken, and mozzarella balls. That was my appetizer (my work catered in lunch today).

Next, I plan on digging into the pasta salad, having a few slices of beef tenderloin, and filling the remainder of my plate with another pile of salad. I'll watch  coworkers eat cookies and brownies after, and then I'll be prompted to get a third helping of salad (and mozzarella balls). Don't judge; I just don't really like sweets. I prefer to eat as much nutritional value as possible for my high calorie intake. 

I wake up ravenous. After a big dinner I lay down for sleep ravenous. I'm hungry while I'm running, I'm hungry when I'm done. When I'm eating, I think about what I'm going to eat next. From what I understand this is much like pregnancy, but I can't imagine how a 5-6 lb fetus could make up for all of the extra food I'm eating these days. 

I day dream about food. How I'm going to cook it. When I'm going to eat it. After what work out I'll plan what meal. Where I should go for lunch today, lunch tomorrow. Where should we eat dinner on Friday night, or where should I go for lunch Saturday when I finish my super long run? It's become an insatiable desire; my new addiction. I love rice and pasta and cheese and beef and bread and pork and all of the foods I rarely let myself ever indulge in. I can't tell if I'm gaining or losing weight anymore, and I don't really care. As my mileage increases so does my appetite. I can't stop it...

Training

As training for Richmond comes to its peak, I am well aware the dreaded  taper is not far behind, and I'll have to adjust my calorie intake accordingly. This week I will finish my longest training run, which will be somewhere between 20-22 miles (depending how I am feeling). Then I will begin cutting my mileage and resting my muscles. Race day is 11/12. I can't believe how close it is!

My next marathon, The Blue Ridge Marathon, will be on April 22, 2017. Which means training will begin in mid January. Which means I will have 2 months of exercise without following a dictated schedule. Thank you God!! During these 2 months I hope to get my eating under control and lose any extra weight I've put on .

How do you keep hunger under control? Should I even worry about it when I'm putting in 40+ miles per week? More importantly, how do you slow down the hunger pains when the miles cut back?

So full and sleepy now....

India

Fueling Methods

Starting Out

Three years ago I was vigorously training for my first marathon. I had no clue what I was doing - which left me open to everyone's advice (good, bad, idiotic). 

When I was 28, I could leave the house on an empty tank, without even one bottle of water, and complete a 16 mile training run. I had read this was not proper training, which led to countless hydration belts, supplements, and GU packs. I wanted to try everything.

Now

Those days are long behind me; any runs over 6 miles require some kind of snack beforehand. If I'm running over 10 miles, I need water and/or Gatorade with me. If I run over 15 miles I will need some kind of fuel to get me through any remaining miles. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, or maybe my body has become more efficient at burning through its glucose reserves. Whatever the case, I can't go on empty and I need a proper plan for distance runs and races. 

Here is what works for me. I can't promise it will work for you, or that it is 'best practices'. But by now, I've got my strategy mapped out.

Hydration

I am a huge fan on lemon and mint water. I slice lemons and add a spring of mint to my water bottle every day. I try to refill the bottle 4-5x (more the day prior to a race). I have to do this to ensure I hydrate throughout the day. It was always difficult for me to get enough water before I started flavoring it.

I drink coconut water regularly as well. I will usually have a bottle before I go to bed or after a long run (or a bottle when I wake up after a night of  drinking).  It provides the sugar my body needs after I've depleted it.

I'm not a huge fan of sports drinks, but when I use them I prefer G2 (light Gatorade) or Propel. My hydration belt has 2 10 ounce bottles; 1 will have a sports drink and 1 will have regular water.

Nutrition

I remember the first time I ever ripped open a GU energy gel. I was 9 miles in on an 18 mile run. For some reason, I had a vanilla flavored pack. I was expecting something sweet, like frosting or cream inside a doughnut. I was wrong. The texture of the product instantly caused a gagging reflex. My entire body - mouth, throat, stomach and all- rejected the bitterly sweet, slimy, substance. 

I had spent (and wasted) about $30 on a couple boxes of this garbage. I've been on a mission ever since to find race nutrition that actually works for me. Here is what I have found.

Honey is a lifesaver. I LOVE honey. It's the same concept as GU, but it tastes good. Honey is instant energy. I had read running advice that suggested running with pieces of bread (or bagels) dipped in honey for an energy boost. While this is a good idea, the logistics of carrying chunks of bread is not simple. Also, I'm not a fan a trying to chew, swallow, and digest large, dry pieces of bread while running. Cut out the middle man, reap the benefits. 

These little bears pack 60 calories, but with 32 mg of caffeine they are a perfect mid-run booster. I usually eat half a pack mid-run, as the caffeine can be intense and cause stomach cramping. Regular gummy bears are also a runner's friend too; they just pack more calories and can be difficult to digest while on the run. 

Supplements

Again, I've tried it all. Salt pills, energy pills, quercetin etc. Some with not so pleasant side effects...

I now only run with PERQUE's glutamine pills - Endura Pak Guard, and a few Advil. I've been using Endura Pak since I first worked for PERQUE almost 7 years ago. They provide mental and muscle clarity that help me overcome the toughest of runs. I would recommend it to anyone participating in endurance events or sports. 

Post Running Fuel

I gave up regular soda nearly 13 years ago, when I was 18. I could count on one hand how many times I'd had a regular soda, until this year. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is better than a full calorie Coco cola after a long run. I used to swear by beer. Sorry beer ; you're on the bench. Sugar/hydration replenishment comes first these days. I instantly feel better after having one.

Hope you all have found my techniques informative - what works best for your marathon training/fueling plans?

Just a reminder - BRMFRIENDS - 15% off the Blue Ridge Marathon with this code!!!

Cheers and Happy Running!