I did 8 miles yesterday - the first time I've done that kind of distance since August. I'd had a nice week: after my brutal 10k last weekend, I'd done two 30 minute runs, one on hills, one on the rail trail, and felt strong. For this run I did the trail, and downloaded a bunch of Nike running mixes on my new (hand-me-down, thanks Sis) iPod. (Did you know that people like Kara Goucher, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Serena Williams have created their own mixes and coach you throughout with tips on form and increasing speed? It's fun!)
I felt fine doing my run3/walk1 pattern for the first hour or so, tired-ish after that, and absolutely beat by the end. What's worse, I felt awful tbe rest of the day - I could barely stay awake (but no opportunity to nap - too much going on) and my muscles were just shot. Today I still feel pretty bad, physically.
I guess I need to take more care to warm down slowly (I walked about 5 minutes after my last running burst, and stretched for another 5 before getting into the car, and maybe look into some of the recovery nutrition products? But with the half-marathon something like 5 weeks away, I still have a LONG way to go! I"m going to shoot for 2 40 minute runs this week and 9 on the weekend, 10 the following, and then after that it's election day (and I'll be away in Ohio! See my other blog for details! I probably won't have the chance to run long while I"m in Cleveland so will take it as a cut-back week.)
So maybe I can do one last LONG (11 mile?) run on the weekend of November 8, and then take 2 weeks to taper. This seems like a good solid plan if I can beat this exhaustion thing!
I know based on my speed that this run is going to take at least 3 hours (wow am I ever slow!) probably a little more - if I go the exact pace I did yesterday, it will take 3:08. That's a long time to be on my feet.
So - the other thing I'm thinking about is what to wear. The running shorts I"ve had all summer are OK - they're an inner compression short and an outer baggy short. They also have a lot of pockets, which I like. But they ride up a bit (perhaps since I've lost a little weight) and they are a bit short, overall - I think for a race in mid-November I might want knee-length shorts - perhaps the LD pocket shorts Misty recommends. I have a cheap long-sleeved top from Target I usually wear over a singlet, and then take off and tie around my waist when I get hot, but am thinking about some other kind of underlayer. Misty suggests wearing sleeves (not attached to any garment) but I don't know what I'd do with them if my arms got warm! (hook them through my fuelt belt, maybe.)
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2 comments:
Good luck on your upcoming half marathon.
I have another attempt in a few days - the longest I've run in the past 6 weeks is 8 miles. Not by choice though...I think your plan to get to 10-11 miles is good.
It all depends on weather and personal comfort, but i'm wearing a long sleeve shirt over a sleeveless shirt. the long sleeves will come off and get tied around my waist at some point. That works for me.
Sounds like you're right on track! As for what to wear, everyone is different but I wore a combo like Lisa's for my half - a sleeveless jersey with pockets and a longsleeve technical shirt over top. My race was in San Francisco so I was glad to have both layers. I took the long sleeves off and put them back on several times during the race. Good luck with your upcoming long runs and the race itself!
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