In Search of My Body vol.9 - I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

[AKASnowWhite]

What to eat before a race. Well, individual choices vary.

I normally workout in the morning so my body is used to that. I personally eat the same way on race day as I do every other day. I go for a combination of good carbs, protein & fiber. My breakfast of choice is Kashi go-lean cereal (whole grain, soy protein, high fiber), 1% milk and fruit - berries, peaches, whatever. Not bananas though - I prefer to have that post-workout.

Now is a good time to experiment with your eating to try and figure out what works for you. Depending upon what you decide to eat, I suppose you could carry it with you and eat it on the bus or pre-race, but my guess is, that's probably not a good idea unless you are a more seasoned racer. Nerves & excitement can effect your system and I think you want make sure to give yourself enough time for digestion so that your body can utilize the fuel that you've given it. It may mean that you have more time between eating & running than you are accustomed to, so you may want to consider using your racing fuel (gu, beans, whatever it is) starting earlier.

Post race there is plenty of food at the finish line - fresh fruits, bagels, drinks...so no need to worry about that. Just don't overload on bacon at breakfast. Trust me on that one


hmmmm....did that answer *anything*?

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Hi! Back from my mom and dad's and Golden Globe watching! Love them! I talked so much today that N was about to call me Emily. I kept perkily saying random stuff, punctuating it with "I'm happy! I feel happy!"

See? This is why I don't exercise!

Liz - I take an ice bath after runs over 10 miles. Theory is reduce bloodflow = reduce inflammation = reduce soreness = reduce sanity.

It does help me with soreness. I've used ice in the past, but am going to stick with just the cold spigot for a while. I have to prop my feet up to get my toes out of the water. They turn blue and "that's not good" (said in the voice of Dr Seeker from Dinosaur).

If you google them there's scant scientific support, but lots of fervent ice bathers swear by them. I expect to have them weekly for a few months as I ramp up to the St Louis marathon. I'll give updates ; )

Ronda

SUPER interesting! I've never heard that - course, it's not like I would have. Hmm. I am going to ask what the Chinese thought/translated into Western at work and then quiz the MTs. A few specialize in sports massage, and I bet they recommend it, when they can (ie acu is the king in my office). Very very interesting. I love learning about stuff like this. Thanks, Ronda! And yes, keep us posted on how it works. I've got my thinking glasses on and my tracking charts out, can you tell?

Ronda, Wow, I don't think I could ever take and ice bath, however, after a long run I do ice my knees, but after yesterday I did not have to and I feel good today, I just did elliptical for 30 mins ( level 10 for 5 min, 9 for 5 mins, 8 for 5 mins, the level 5 for 5min, 4 for 5, and 3 for 5, the push ups..

After a long run, the day before? Super hardcore!

5 miles done today too! It went well! Pushed D in the jogger for almost 4 of them and then finished on the TM. It went well. I did put my feet/lower legs in our ICE cold pool. Usually I wouldn't until I hit 9 or 10 but I figured it couldn't hurt.

Not hungover. I quit drinking early, and drank water so I was fine. probably slightly underhydrated for my wog but it was ok. I actually got up at 7, fed J cash, and then we went off to meet a friend for coffee and a bagel, while Glenn and D slept in. Then I did my wog after.

A good day all around here. We also went to get strawberries and we took D to the park. Glenn just made a fire in our fire bowl so I am about to go hang outside for a bit.

Seriously, I want to do motherhood like you do. Sign me up for the Amy plan! I love the workouts, the time for yourself, the time with your kids...all of it!

I'm good Jo! I'm at home this weekend. We have a stretch of two weeks where we wont see each other then I'm heading up to Vermont at 4 on my last day of work and will stay there as long as I want. The boy wants to spend a whole week together. When we get to Disney I might need to fill you in on a lot more. In fact you might need to shut me up, I can't help but gush about him. (Heck I might just email you more details at some point tonight or tomorrow.) Did I mention I forwarded him the last email about the race and he read every word?!

So ladies today I went to target and in the dollar section they had pink headbands with crowns on like springs on it. Think of all those holiday headband type deals only this had crowns. I got one to bring down, when I'll wear it I'm not sure but it was calling me. (I also bought $1 stretch gloves in case I want to bring them on race morning.)

I did 5 miles yesterday and felt great. I needed one really solid run to get my motivation back, that was it. I've heard all the talk about throw away clothes. I'm weird... it takes a lot for me to feel the extremities in weather. Do you all wear throw away clothes there?

First off, I will quiz you incessantly on the boy, so just prepare like you would for, say, hmm the Inquisition? That's about right! Share away!!!

Second, do you have a picture of this crown thingy? I can't visualize it.

Third, yes, I wear throw away clothes. I get cold. Very easily. I wear sweatpants over my running pants/shorts, a long sleeve shirt, and a jacket. Oh, and last year I had a blanket and gloves. I layer the heck out of myself! I went to Old Navy today and got sweatpants, a fleece, a long tshirt, and a very nifty running jacket that might be my keep with me layer. I really like these clothes, although they were super duper cheap, so I am still asking friends and family for their bags of giveaway clothes to go through!

Food. I eat a bagel toasted with peanut butter before, and drink coffee. I have bottle of water with me and drink it, too. I take Claritin and Advil before. After I finish, I eat the free stuff they hand me. And we are going to breakfast, really brunch, which will fill you up post race. (More on this in the email) I bring Sport Beans with me and use them as my fuel during the race.

Yeah, stay away from bacon!

Nancy, I had a lot to say to you but I can't remember it now! Mostly that you are awesome and so encouraging and supportive!

EE, check in?

Kat, still recovering from your hockey games?

E, where art thou?

 

[lisaviolet]

So have to catch up. Will do later.

But two things - Amy . He's darling. You make such beautiful babies. So cute. Lovely.

And I don't think I told you I was almost ten pounds. So you and my mother have my sympathy. Jean's brother was 13 and natural birth.

Nancy - I'm so sorry for your football day.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Morning ALL

I am running late for work so short post

Thanks Nancy for your answers.

Have A Great Day All

I will try to check in via my phone from work.

 

[Ronda93]

Meg - I run in cool temps with few layers, but there's stepping outside and starting a run and then there's stepping outside, waiting for a bus, standing for a porta-pottie, standing, getting into a corral and standing in the dark. Extra layers come in very handy. Sometimes, if it's breezy, I wear a trash bag. Very fashionable yellow fund raising trashbags dot the startng corral at many races. Skinny types go for the white ones, we hate them.

Meg - calling out your great run here!

Nancy - I had to google reynauds. Goddesses (and Rob) teach a lot!

DGF is home. Her mom is doing well. It was a good visit. Having her brother come along was a plus. I've slept in and am starting a slow-moving federal holiday.

Ronda

 

[AKASnowWhite]

A quick check-in before I go for my run.

I'm down .5 pounds this week. I'll take it. It's a step in the right direction anyway.

It's freakin' cold out. Single digits, so my run is going to be inside on the TM. yay.

MLK day, so the kids have no school - storm coming tonight: snow/ice/freezing rain, so I'm anticipating the worst. Of course I didn't go grocery shopping over the weekend so today it's pretty much mandatory. Me & the folks who can't bear the thought of NOT shopping for their emergency brownie mix and cookie dough the day before a storm gah.

 

[Ronda93]

Nancy - a French Toast storm. Brownie mix and cookie dough supplanting eggs, milk and bread. Good luck on the TM. Embrace the TM. Get your Zen on.

Ronda

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Embrace the TM. Get your Zen on.

I must admit that I was actually thankful for the TM this morning. It's just too darned cold today for safe outside running. My training schedule (a Hal Higdon in case anyone was wondering...) has this weeks "long run" as a 10K race. I hit the TM this morning and did 6 miles in 59:14. Of course, as soon as I hit the "cool down" button and slowed down I realized I was supposed to do 6.2

now for a nice hot shower and then the dreaded groceries. wish me luck

 

[HockeyKat]

Hello Ladies, I have a few questions

What do you do for breakfast before the race, I know that we have to get on the bus at 4AM (right?) I have read that people have ate while on the bus or waiting for the start, but what do you eat.
Today I had a banana and I used 1.5 packs of sports beans and I was wiped out.

I usually do like Nancy and eat the Kashi Go Lean cereal. Another option is the Kashi cereal bars - I use those for the super-early wake up calls for my summer running club, since I can eat it in the car on the way to meet up with folks.

South Beach Protein bars are good, too, and I tried the Special K Protein bars over the weekend for hockey (since my BIL stocked them), and they are also good. The Zone Perfect one SUCKED.

I have been texting Kat and she is playing hockey this weekend! I'm soooo impressed with her! such hard work but great cross training!

...

Thank you!!! I did my 5! WOOO!
...

Today I did five miles OUTSIDE with my neighbor. It was awesome. Also, Nike +? Didn't work because I didn't have the chip in. Silly Liz! I am so becoming Amish!!!

Thanks!!! Full report below.

WOOO on the 5 miles!!

Kat, hows your shin after hocky

My shin appears to be holding up great so far! Hockey is not the same kind of impact, thankfully.

Sorry for not being around more, but I unplugged on Fri afternoon and have not plugged back in until about 30 min ago.


So, my weekend. I got in from San Antonio Fri AM around 1AM, came home, spent a few hours watching TV with my husband, and went in late to work Fri (about 1PM). Got into Charlotte around 8:30PM or so.

I decided to stay with my BIL this trip, and it worked out very well. They have a fully outfitted basement apartment, and had stocked the mini-fridge for me and everything. Super nice people.

Game Fri night against Charlotte at 10PM sucked. Loss 9-0. Sat 9AM game against Atlanta wasn't as bad, loss 3-0. I had lunch with the team and then slept from 3PM-7PM. 9PM game was awesome! We tied 2-2. That team is our sister team here in Raleigh, so we knew all of the girls and it was a very fun game. We even took a two-team picture afterwards.

Sunday's game was at 11AM against Atlanta again, and my BIL and his family came to watch. We lost 4-2 but it was a good game.

Then, back home to Raleigh (about a 2.5 hr drive), a brief nap, and my house league game at 6:30PM. We lost that one 5-4 but again, a good game.

Last night I stayed unplugged and hung out with my hubby and watched TV until midnight or so. We haven't seen much of each other lately so it was really nice to have some together time.


Today, I thankfully have off and am catching up on laundry and such. Sat we leave for Disney!!

 

[poppinspal]

Second, do you have a picture of this crown thingy? I can't visualize it.

On my parents ancient computer, be back later to respond to the rest.

 

[DisneyGalUK]

Hi Everyone!

Im still here...swamped with work and life in general!

Tomorrow is the first day of C25K - Exciting!

 

[adsrtw]

I swear I am going to buy stock in Puff's Plus and Bigelow tea.

Not feeling great today, resting up a bit before class tonight.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

ugh. headache from hell.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Meg, Love your headband

Amiee, Nancy, sorry your both feeling yucky.
Hope the tea works!.. Nancy less wine = no headache. HA HA HA HA

 

[adsrtw]

Hello from Enviro Sci class! Yippie Skippy! I had to share the drinking shirt with a classmate and she was dying over it.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Meg - I run in cool temps with few layers, but there's stepping outside and starting a run and then there's stepping outside, waiting for a bus, standing for a porta-pottie, standing, getting into a corral and standing in the dark. Extra layers come in very handy. Sometimes, if it's breezy, I wear a trash bag. Very fashionable yellow fund raising trashbags dot the startng corral at many races. Skinny types go for the white ones, we hate them.

love the trashbag analysis!

The other great thing is a mylar wrap. Kinda makes me feel like a baked potato but they are ridiculously warm. Emergency car blankets are the same thing. Cheap, teensy, easy to pack.

Glad to hear Sue's mom is doing well

South Beach Protein bars are good, too, and I tried the Special K Protein bars over the weekend for hockey (since my BIL stocked them), and they are also good. The Zone Perfect one SUCKED.

Erin's take on the protein bars is they are definitely not created equal. Some are nutritionally no better than candy bars. I'm not a huge protein bar fan in general...just too calorie dense for me if that makes any sense.

And holy cheeze nips! What an insane hockey schedule! Did you give yourself the day off today?

Saturday. Oh joyful Saturday

Tomorrow is the first day of C25K - Exciting!

I hope it all goes well! Looking forward to hearing all about it

Amiee, Nancy, sorry your both feeling yucky.
Hope the tea works!.. Nancy less wine = no headache. HA HA HA HA

Actually, it was a nasty hormone headache. Normal stuff doesn't usually touch is, so I finally did have a small glass of wine. That did the trick

EE - hope you are feeling better soon!

Paula - Happy Monday

Liz - I'm singing a song for you. "I'm leavin' on a jet plane" Hope you have absolutely perfect weather and a fabulous time!

E - how was the water park weekend?

Lisa- I think I just became a temporary Steelers fan. I hope Jean's happy.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Good Morning,
Happy Tuesday!!!

I just have to say, Sunday will be a crazy day here,
1st we have the Bears vs Green Bay. then the Steelers is my DH's #1 team.
I can't even imagin how my DH"s is going to react iif the Bears and the Steelers both go to the superbowl.

Paula, hope you are well.

Kat, that was a lot of hockey

Cathie sending you hugs!!

I am still asleep I think, now I don't remember what I was going to say

Have a great day all

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Another snow day. Oh joy. And they are calling for yet another storm to hit on Friday. bleh. This weather is really mucking up my kids exam schedule. not to mention my LIFE

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Good morning!!!!

Nancy, how is your headache? Better?

Slushy here but school and work are open! I am still sore from my 5 miles on Sunday - maybe more sore today then yesterday. My schedule says short run today but my brain says "leaving in the AM, things to do!!!!" so we shall see who wins! Packing my running shoes at any rate!

This might be my last post until next week, so have a great week everyone!!!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Also - EE, feeling better? I hope so!

And Meg - that is a FUN headband!!!