*Doing the Donald in 2010* Jan. Half Marathon Support Thread!

[liznboys]

... Do you think 10 milers ever get easy? ...

I was wondering that too. "10 miles" and "easy" don't seem like they would ever go in the same sentence. LOL


Oh and HI JENNY!!! I posted right above you.

 

[dismagiclover]

Happy Monday all! Less than 6 weeks til the big day!

I did my long run this weekend. It was somewhere between 9.25 and 9.5 miles in 1hr 45min. I am feeling it today!!

I did notice that after 7 miles my legs began to get fatigued. I was able to continue, just a bit slower. I have not eaten anything during my runs so far, but maybe I'm to that point where I should? Will eating something help with my legs getting tired? Are those gels and things meant for that?

So my question for each of you is: What do you eat (and drink, if it's something other than water) during your long runs? Thanks!

Liz we were posting at the same time
Awesome job on your long run! I think you may be leaving me in the dust. Remember I'm fine with that.

There is always a debate about what fuel you should use during your runs. There are people that will say you don't need gels during a half. They recommend them more for a whole marathon. You probably should be taking in some sport drinks during the run though just to replace electrlytes and salt lost through sweat.

I don't know if any of that really helps tired legs though. That is just a consequence of long runs and the endurance only get built up through putting the miles in.

Anyway, here is what I do on my long runs. Everyone is different and you have to figure out what works for you. Make sure to figure it out before race day though. You don't want to try anything new on race day. Your body may not like it and you don't want to end up with cramping and such.

For a 10 mile run my fluid/food intake is
Mile 2 about 6 oz water
Mile 4 about 6 oz Gatorade
Mile 6 a gel with 6 oz water (always take gels with water)
Mile 8 about 6 oz water

This works well for me, but like I said experiement and see what works for you.

You are doing awesome

 

[liznboys]

Thanks Jenny! And I think you and I are close with our paces/times!

Thanks for your fuel info. I will definitely be trying out things on my long runs from now on so I find what works before the big day.

I have found that eating a banana before my runs is good for me. And I don't even like bananas!! I also like eating an apple right after my run.

 

[JoanneNC]

I did my long run this weekend. It was somewhere between 9.25 and 9.5 miles in 1hr 45min. I am feeling it today!!

I did notice that after 7 miles my legs began to get fatigued. I was able to continue, just a bit slower. I have not eaten anything during my runs so far, but maybe I'm to that point where I should? Will eating something help with my legs getting tired? Are those gels and things meant for that?

So my question for each of you is: What do you eat (and drink, if it's something other than water) during your long runs? Thanks!


Joanne~ That's so great you did your 10 miles faster!! Now if you'll already be doing 11-12 miles this weekend, what are your plans for your long runs for the weeks after that?

Great Job on your run.... I typically drink mostly water on my 1+ hour runs and will take some Gatorade as well. I am not a huge GU fan but I will admit that once it kicked it yesterday, it helped me get over my hump. Sport jelly beans are pretty good. I also like pretzels... as they make me drink more water.

I plan on my training runs to take me to 13 miles - I want to experience the distance before race day

 

[JoanneNC]

Thanks Jenny! And I think you and I are close with our paces/times!

Thanks for your fuel info. I will definitely be trying out things on my long runs from now on so I find what works before the big day.

I have found that eating a banana before my runs is good for me. And I don't even like bananas!! I also like eating an apple right after my run.

Chocolate Milk is my #1 post long run food/drink intake. Perfect ratio of proteins to carbs for recovery and YUMMY

 

[dismagiclover]

Chocolate Milk is my #1 post long run food/drink intake. Perfect ratio of proteins to carbs for recovery and YUMMY

My DH is always telling me to drink chocolate milk after my long runs! He says the exact same thing as you

 

[queen mimi]

One word----FLU!!! Can barely move a muscle. I even got a flu shot last month so that this wouldn't happen. Oh, well. Hopefully, it's early enough that I can get back on pace with my training. Cough, cough..... it's back to the couch.

Meg

 

[Lynn5700]

Happy Monday all! Less than 6 weeks til the big day!

I did my long run this weekend. It was somewhere between 9.25 and 9.5 miles in 1hr 45min. I am feeling it today!!

I did notice that after 7 miles my legs began to get fatigued. I was able to continue, just a bit slower. I have not eaten anything during my runs so far, but maybe I'm to that point where I should? Will eating something help with my legs getting tired? Are those gels and things meant for that?

So my question for each of you is: What do you eat (and drink, if it's something other than water) during your long runs? Thanks!

HI!! Great job on your 9.5 miles!! AWESOME job!!

On my long runs, I use a GU. I take it at around the 6 mile mark. I also carry a water bottle with me the whole time. When I run I like to keep myself hydrated. I know a lot of people don't do it, but it doesn't slow me down at all and I have to run with water.

 

[Lynn5700]

Meg feel better!!

Yeah, chocolate milk is great after a long run.

Jenny the 10 miles get easier, trust me! You will get there!!!

 

[french lady]

I could not do my long run this week-end because I had to work both days in overtime. I guess it is more money for January.
So after 2 days of no running, I went this morning for an easy 5k. When I left it was raining and after 10 minutes it was snowing. And it did not feel like an easy run, not at all. Anyway, it's in the bank.
Liz- On my long runs I will take 2 powergels and water. I don't know if it is just mental but it helps me.

This week, I do less mileage so my long run is only 12k. Who would have guess that one day I would write only 12K.

Back to the football game.

Diane

 

[Lynn5700]

Good luck with your 12K Diane!

 

[corinnak]

So my question for each of you is: What do you eat (and drink, if it's something other than water) during your long runs? Thanks!

My rule of thumb is to bring some energy source along if I'm going to be out much more than an hour - by that time I feel like I've burned through my stored glycogen pretty well and I can keep going but it feels more like dragging myself along. Not to mention the importance of replacing a few electrolytes during prolonged exertion.

I always carry water and a cell phone with me. I like having the plain water, and don't have any interest in the belts with lots of little bottles so you can have some of each, so I tend to prefer sports beans, clif shot blocks or luna moons. They are much neater, I've found, than the gels and don't produce a sticky piece of garbage for me to carry home. But that is just me - there are lots of different choices because people like different stuff!

My general rule of thumb for a run longer than about 5 or 6 miles is to have a moon, block or few beans at mile 3, and then every other mile for the duration. It seems like that keeps things even for me. I don't need it as soon if I have eaten more earlier in the day, too.

Is this race really just 6 weeks away???

 

[Ronda93]

My run this morning was five miles. The MfM plan is starting to push up the time/distance and I can really tell. I'm beginning to feel some twinges as I run, but nothing I'd call pain. My times are improving. This summer I was sure I was doomed to 13:00 forever. Not that there's anything wrong with 13:00, but I wanted to take some pictures along the way and need a cushion to take the camera out. Today's run was R3/W1 and averaged 11:50. If I keep this up the camera gets to come along for the run!!

Ronda

 

[Lynn5700]

Ronda that's awesome!! Good for you on your quicker pace!! It's very good!

 

[ArelysAdriana]

Gosh, I have missed a lot! Sorry for being MIA. Seems like everyone is doing a great job with their training.

My training is going ok, but I'm starting to freak out & feel like I don't have enough time. I'm still super, super slow (15 to 16 minute miles. ) I skipped my run yesterday because it was pouring rain & freezing cold (45 degrees, which is probably not too cold for anyone up north, but in south Louisiana it's worse then freezing.) I knew that with my luck & my horrible immune system I'd end up really sick after. I can't help but feel a bit bad about it though.

Good news is my new shoes & socks are killer, they are seriously amazing. Drymax running lite-mesh socks are absolute heaven. My feet & knees (& hips!) really liking the new shoe/socks combo. I recently picked up a Moving Comfort bra too & it is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. Keeps the jiggle at bay too.

Does anyone have any tips for speeding up in 6 weeks? If I could just shave off a minute or two, I'd be beyond thrilled, but I'm thinking that's too much to aim for in just 6 weeks.

Thanks guys

 

[JoanneNC]

Gosh, I have missed a lot! Sorry for being MIA. Seems like everyone is doing a great job with their training.

My training is going ok, but I'm starting to freak out & feel like I don't have enough time. I'm still super, super slow (15 to 16 minute miles. ) I skipped my run yesterday because it was pouring rain & freezing cold (45 degrees, which is probably not too cold for anyone up north, but in south Louisiana it's worse then freezing.) I knew that with my luck & my horrible immune system I'd end up really sick after. I can't help but feel a bit bad about it though.

Good news is my new shoes & socks are killer, they are seriously amazing. Drymax running lite-mesh socks are absolute heaven. My feet & knees (& hips!) really liking the new shoe/socks combo. I recently picked up a Moving Comfort bra too & it is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. Keeps the jiggle at bay too.

Does anyone have any tips for speeding up in 6 weeks? If I could just shave off a minute or two, I'd be beyond thrilled, but I'm thinking that's too much to aim for in just 6 weeks.

Thanks guys

Are you doing a run/walk combo?
I know this next response will seem cliche but really the only way to go faster is to go faster. It's like we all have individual comfort levels and we will push them some but until we really push them, we will revert back to our comfortable pace. I recommend speed intervals on a treadmill or road even. I just like the treadmill for simplicity.

Start off with a warm up walk or job and then do 60 seconds at a fast pace (fast for you). Then walk/cool down for 2-3 mins and then do another 60 seconds, etc
Those 60 seconds are meant to get you and your body used to a faster pace or a new comfortable (yet faster) pace. If you can't do 60 seconds, do 30 seconds and speed up from there. You can do this one day a week over the next 5 weeks....

Those 60 seconds are not meant to be easy or fun

 

[Ronda93]

Yeah, to run fast you have to train fast. It had a duh quality when someone said it to me in April, but...

I really started to speed up after making my Tuesday runs a run3/walk1 interval. The 3s are awful and the 1 not nearly long enough. My heart really gets a workout, too. But it has worked. I've gotten faster and my LSD runs are much easier.

Good luck,
Ronda

 

[french lady]

I have received today my letter from Disney Magic Express. And there is only 35 days left before my dream comes true.
Anyway, today was a day of rest and it was sunny. Tomorrow I have a 6k to run and it will be rainy and windy. That's life.

Have a nice evening
Diane

 

[Lynn5700]

Good luck with the 10K Diane! Hopefully it doesn't rain too hard on you.

Hey Arelys!! How are you girl? You will get faster with the advice the girls gave you. Good luck!

 

[SGcruiser]

Hello everyone, the holiday and extra work hours sure did get me off schedule but with only six weeks left it is definitely NOT time to give up but just get back with the program. I missed my long run last week but am scheduled for 8miles this weekend. Even though I know it will be hard I am anxious to see how I do so I will have an idea for the actual 1/2 marathon. Thanks for the suggestions of fuel for the long runs. We are thinking of doing a 4mile path twice and then we can have our water and fuel at the half way mark. We are supposed to have snow tomorrow and then Saturday will be in the 30s. That is cold for us, but again if I can run in the 30s then Orlando weather should be okay. This site sure does help to motivate me and see that we are all working towards the same goal. The training will also keep the weight off for the holidays. (I hope). Take care everyone.