last saturday, i ran 8 miles with an average pace of 10:51. I usually like to keep a 10:30 pace when i run 5 miles. so i was fine with 10:51, esp with slowing for traffic, etc. The run felt really good. I finished with energy and my body felt great. I could have run another 2 miles. The whole run felt fun. I enjoyed myself.
BUT
Today's run felt really bad. From mile one I knew it was going to be a tough run. My legs felt heavy. My leg muscles didn't want to work. I ended up with an average pace of 12 minute miles. My heart felt good the whole time but my body didn't want to keep up. I was singing complete lyrics to the songs on my last mile. But my legs were dead. When i got home i wanted to die. All day my legs haven't wanted to move. I even took an ice bath to try and loosen things up. And some midol. Still, I feel sluggish.
Things that i will change so next weeks long run will be better:
1. I was eating so much junk food that I can only imagine how it effected my body. I will eat more fruits and veggies and lean meats and the whole grains and good fats and etc.
2. Rest on Thursday and Friday so that I'm ready for my Saturday long run.
3. Drink some gatorade before I set out for my long run.
Those were the major differences between the two weeks. I hope that with those changes next week's long run will be better. Because 12 miles is a mental challenge for me and if my legs don't work I think I'll cry. Tips are welcome.
I'm just going to chalk this week up for a bad run. I've done some searches and it seems pretty normal. I'm especially glad I have three weeks to make some changes and practice them before the big race
I'm so proud of you! Make sure to drink about 20oz of Gatorade 2-3 hours BEFORE you run so it will have time to absorb. I would also download a couple of new songs on your iPod the night before the race in case of "emergencies"! I know you'll do great and can't wait to hear how it goes. You inspire me!
ReplyDeleteI think you are totally right...when you run you feel everything that you eat. I know if I eat bad one day that I am guaranteed to have a bad sluggish run the next. Also, eating good or not sometimes you just have bad days, who knows why, not enough sleep, stress, whatever...You have a great attitude and going from 10 to 13 miles is 90% mental!!! Great pace...both my half marathons that is about what my pace was 10:30. You are doing awesome! I wish I could say the same for my running right now!!!!!
ReplyDeleteisnt' it crazy how you can know exactly how the run will go from the moment you start? I have only been suprised about 4 times my whole life
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Same experience... loved 8 miles, even a 10 mile one but I tried a 12 mile pre-race and around mile 10/11 I hit a wall. Honestly, I think I just needed more time to train (I only had 3 months post baby) AND the other big thing is that my time was slow... 12 mile pace typically so running for that long is hard on your body.
ReplyDeleteYour 10:30/10:50 time is great. Try and keep that up somehow, you'll finish a good 45 minutes faster if you can keep that pace vs 12 minutes. That's HUGE. Not for having a faster time per se, but for just being on your legs 45 minutes less.
I'm so proud of you Sharon, think of how far you've come. It's crazy, right?
My recs: eat a healthy light meal an hour before your run. use a gu packet halfway through. And pop two Ibuprofen with them to reduce swelling.
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