The Official 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Thread

[capeseal]

Yikes, I'm beginning to think I'm underestimating this run. I just get out there and go, no specific training plan, no concern about fueling, etc... I had been thinking of pasta for lunch the day or the race, but that was about all I had thought of.
Maybe I should rethink my approach to this.
LOL, at the baked potatoes!

I think that's a practical plan and I don't necessarily think you are underestimating. I did ToT on a month of training and did okay but I just think I can do better this time with a little forethought. A good training plan is especially important to me since I have a big risk of re-injuring my back and I don't want to go into another really fun race unprepared.

 

[jeanigor]

I appreciate all of the advice to experiment with different combos. I also think I am going to invest in a water belt since I tend to get dehydrated when I go more than 6 miles without water. There doesn't seem to be a difference between Powerade and Gatorade for me. I really don't enjoy flavored drinks in general but I'll probably give some a try in the last third of the race to carry me through.

Okay, now I need a water belt recommendation...

There is water (Dasani) at all of the stops there is Powerade if you don't want a hydration belt.

 

[shelleylmu]

With all this talk about gels, chews etc. I have maybe a silly question? Where do you buy them? I've looked at the grocery store and didn't see anything. We kind of live out in the boonies so not really a running store that close by.

 

[jeanigor]

With all this talk about gels, chews etc. I have maybe a silly question? Where do you buy them? I've looked at the grocery store and didn't see anything. We kind of live out in the boonies so not really a running store that close by.

A sporting goods store like Sports Authority or Dunhams would carry them.

The grocers in my area do, but so do the one-stop stores like Super Target, Meijer & Wal-mart.

 

[capeseal]

There is water (Dasani) at all of the stops there is Powerade if you don't want a hydration belt.

I don't need a belt for the race as I found the hydration stations were fine last time. (Though I might like something small for keeping some energy chews.) I need a belt for training runs that take me out where there aren't places to stop for water. I find that even with 5-6 mile runs, I get extremely thirsty. Some of that is living and running in an environment with high altitude and low humidity.

 

[capeseal]

With all this talk about gels, chews etc. I have maybe a silly question? Where do you buy them? I've looked at the grocery store and didn't see anything. We kind of live out in the boonies so not really a running store that close by.

Amazon is a great place too, when you find something you like, to get a good deal.

 

[zgirls]

Great discussions going on.

Gels, I grab a bunch at every race to use for training, I don't have a preference, they all taste bad to me.

You my have seen, I run for triathlons and to drink beer, as a result I ride, swim, run, and cross train a lot. I use one product as the temps get higher, hammer fizz. It is only product that has helped me with cramping in hot weather.

For the ironman distance races I also will use hammer perpetuem and hammer endurolytes.

Hammer products cost a little more but they use clean ingredients.

Ok now it's time for an easy 5 mile run.

 

[peachygreen]

Ugh = fuel. I really need to find something that won't turn my stomach this time around. I'm not really sure I need it on a half marathon run though. \

I typically don't drink during a run shorter than 6 miles. After that I have to stash water and or carry it. I really am not a fan of fuel belts when I run though. I did that for my first marathon and had the hardest time getting/keeping the bottles clean and not tasting like soap.

 

[Ariel484]

Ohhh, baked potatoes I would love, but only if I could have them with all the fixins! (Don't laugh if you see me sitting down enjoying my gourmet snack on the course!)

LOL! I just like mine with TONS of butter...probably not a super great idea in the middle of a race. I think the guy I was reading about that said that had ketchup with his? UGH.

Ariel484- Funny you should mention the Honey Stinger gels. My DH brought me a sample after my last 10k and it was WAY too sweet. He loves them so was happy to finish mine but I know I couldn't run with those.

I'm with you there. I gave all of mine to a co-worker...unfortunately I was really stupid and bought a case of them before I realized that I REALLY didn't like them.

With all this talk about gels, chews etc. I have maybe a silly question? Where do you buy them? I've looked at the grocery store and didn't see anything. We kind of live out in the boonies so not really a running store that close by.

I get mine at my local running store. I've also seen them at D-I-C-K-S Sporting Goods.

Amazon is a great place too, when you find something you like, to get a good deal.

Yes, great suggestion! Definite emphasis on WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING YOU LIKE...see my Honey Stinger story above.

 

[Ariel484]

How was the weather and course? I had heard mixed reviews before but all I could find was old info so I wasn't sure if it was still accurate. I would think it would be fun to run by the lake if u could see it. I was going to run the 10k just to try toget a good time for signing up for princess and tink. I heard the 10k doesn't get a medal- any truth to that?

Okay, I just dumped my Garmin data in. Looking at my splits makes me feel a lot better about the race...I had 10 good miles and 3 not-so-great ones.

Here's the course...unfortunately I did some weaving and ended up going 13.44 miles, booooo

Elevation Chart. Looking at it now it doesn't seem like much but at the time it felt like I was scaling mountains...LOL!

But it was all worth it for the bling (with spinning guitar!). Probably my favorite non-Disney bling:

 

[capeseal]

LOL! I just like mine with TONS of butter...probably not a super great idea in the middle of a race. I think the guy I was reading about that said that had ketchup with his? UGH.

http://authoritynutrition.com/7-reasons-why-butter-is-good-for-you/

So, we will need fuel belts with room for a potato and a stick of butter.

 

[OregonGirl]

Hi everyone!

Such a great discussion going on; I just wanted to chime in!

Weekend running update:
Yesterday (Sunday) I worked run/walk intervals for 9.3 miles. Averaged about 12 MPM and then those last few miles I mostly fast walked and averaged 15 MPM. This was a long distance for me and my last workout was nearly 8 days prior when I did speed work on the treadmill (a 5K in 30 minutes). It was nice to get the distance in. I definitely have a ways to go before I feel in "trained shape" again, but we still got like 6 months to go!

ENERGY:
I LOVE Clif shot energy gel Chocolate, and Clif bloks cran-raspberry. I had no idea what these things were 2 years ago but after my first expo I was exposed and fell in love. I only ever buy them at expos because they're not a snack I need that often and so a box gets me through a long time. I get them at REI also. I generally don't need anything unless I plan to go over 10 miles in a single run. I am one of those people that can't have ANYTHING in my stomach when I run or I get cramps and pains. Even when I get water on the course I don't typically drink it (unless its super hot outside like at the Disneyland Half last year, holy crap). DH likes to force Gatorade down me after a long run which is probably not as necessary as he thinks but I appreciate that he wants to be all helpful and caring so I oblige. And they're tasty.

GEAR:
I know we are not specifically talking about it, but since gels sort of lead the question "where do you stash it"... I run with a "Runner's World Belt" that I got at REI. It hold my phone (which plays tunes and runs RunKeeper when I run), and some chap stick and some bloks or a gel. It's really not very big but it suits me. I do not run with hydration belts or arm bands for my music - but only because I have gotten used to this configuration.

TRAINING:
If it makes anyone feel better, I am not following a training plan either. I am not against them at all, but I find that when I loosely tell myself I am going to run a certain amount of time in a week, I can usually stick to it and having anything any more specific is hard for me to follow. In fact, I might do some 'fast walk' routes over the next few days as its a great way to keep moving while letting my pesky knee and shin recover (I have a previous injury in both and I often feel tight there).

Hugs to everyone! I think we are all doing great!

- Carey

 

[Figment1990]

Would anyone mind if I went on a little injury-vent-pity-party here for just a minute? Please?

After literally two solid years of pt to rehab a v bad knee injury and one year of rebuilding to "come back" and run a half (last years wine and dine), I am having rotten luck this spring with injuries! I had a beautiful march. Everything was clicking along great! Then. In April, I strained my rotator cuff, then I "crammed" for a race and subsequently got shin splints which I'm now aware happens whenever I add too much mileage or speed too quickly. So, I'm in pt for my shoulder, trying to slowly build up mileage so I avoid shin splints, sloooooowly reintroducing some pt and xt for my knee and shins and low and behold, tonight, I pulled who knows what in the top of my foot while GARDENING!!! I swear if I sign up for princess and tink (as I really want to), I'm going to sit in a bubble for 4 months except for supervised workouts so that I don't incur any stupid injuries!!!

I just want to run.

It wasn't even fun type of gardening yet. I was just weeding. I was going to plant this weekend... After a nice run.

I'm not clumsy. I'm not inactive. I just have some major bad luck this month. Thank goodness w&d is still 5+ months away....

Ok, rant over. Thank you guys. I knew you would get it.

 

[FloridaNative8]

Would anyone mind if I went on a little injury-vent-pity-party here for just a minute? Please?

After literally two solid years of pt to rehab a v bad knee injury and one year of rebuilding to "come back" and run a half (last years wine and dine), I am having rotten luck this spring with injuries! I had a beautiful march. Everything was clicking along great! Then. In April, I strained my rotator cuff, then I "crammed" for a race and subsequently got shin splints which I'm now aware happens whenever I add too much mileage or speed too quickly. So, I'm in pt for my shoulder, trying to slowly build up mileage so I avoid shin splints, sloooooowly reintroducing some pt and xt for my knee and shins and low and behold, tonight, I pulled who knows what in the top of my foot while GARDENING!!! I swear if I sign up for princess and tink (as I really want to), I'm going to sit in a bubble for 4 months except for supervised workouts so that I don't incur any stupid injuries!!!

I just want to run.

It wasn't even fun type of gardening yet. I was just weeding. I was going to plant this weekend... After a nice run.

I'm not clumsy. I'm not inactive. I just have some major bad luck this month. Thank goodness w&d is still 5+ months away....

Ok, rant over. Thank you guys. I knew you would get it.

Oh no

Lots of good, injury-free, healing wishes to you!! That's so frustrating when you're doing everything right and it seems to all still go wrong!!

 

[Ariel484]

Would anyone mind if I went on a little injury-vent-pity-party here for just a minute? Please?

After literally two solid years of pt to rehab a v bad knee injury and one year of rebuilding to "come back" and run a half (last years wine and dine), I am having rotten luck this spring with injuries! I had a beautiful march. Everything was clicking along great! Then. In April, I strained my rotator cuff, then I "crammed" for a race and subsequently got shin splints which I'm now aware happens whenever I add too much mileage or speed too quickly. So, I'm in pt for my shoulder, trying to slowly build up mileage so I avoid shin splints, sloooooowly reintroducing some pt and xt for my knee and shins and low and behold, tonight, I pulled who knows what in the top of my foot while GARDENING!!! I swear if I sign up for princess and tink (as I really want to), I'm going to sit in a bubble for 4 months except for supervised workouts so that I don't incur any stupid injuries!!!

I just want to run.

It wasn't even fun type of gardening yet. I was just weeding. I was going to plant this weekend... After a nice run.

I'm not clumsy. I'm not inactive. I just have some major bad luck this month. Thank goodness w&d is still 5+ months away....

Ok, rant over. Thank you guys. I knew you would get it.

I get it. Two years ago I pulled a hamstring the weekend before a half marathon. I was...gardening. Pulling weeds actually, just like you. I also had to take a good 3 months off of running the year before after I blew out my back falling down some stairs.

It'll get better soon. Hang in there!

 

[rachlovestv]

This thread has lots of great advice about running nutrition and hydration. I think the key thing to remember, and which many have already mentioned but I'll reiterate anyways, is to try out what you want to use BEFORE race day, during your training runs. That way, if it doesn't work, you can switch it up and find something that does.

I always run with a hydration belt (from iFitness, which I love) filled with nuun. I sweat a lot and get dehydrated easily, and I like having a sugar-free way too replenish electrolytes. Some people only take water out on training runs when they are going above a certain distance, but I always take some with me, because I'm going to be wearing the belt anyways to carry my phone. During a race, I use my belt to attach my race bib, and drink my nuun water whenever I run through a Gatorade/Powerade station.

For nutrition, I am a fan of both the gu brand and clif brand energy gels/chomps. I usually eat the chomps about 15 minutes before I start running, and then eat a energy gel every 3.5-4.5 miles. At first I had a hard time eating the energy gels, because I felt like they were sticking to the back of my throat and I would gag. Now I usually eat a little gel and drink a little water, and sort of mix them in my mouth before swallowing. It definitely helps them go down easier. The only flavor that I've ever had that doesn't need the swish method it the Clif Chocolate Cherry. It is super smooth and tastes just like a chocolate covered cherry. I would eat that one just for fun.

Someone else mentioned Hammer gels being a little watery, and I would personally agree with that assessment. I've never tried the honey stinger gels because I heard they were sweet, so I can't comment on those. I have tried the sport beans and like them, and could see eating those in place of chomps if necessary. I also sometimes eat Swedish fish before a run if I'm out of chomps.

I think that's everything I was going to say.

 

[LittleMissGiggles89]

Hello everyone , This will be my first half marathon and first official race of any kind! My roommates from my college program days will be running with me and this is her first face as well. We're both super excited and have seem to be bitten by the run Disney bug.

I've been running three times a week starting with the ease into 5k app never having really run before and can already tell how much I've improved. What does everyone else find helpful for cross training though? Do you do the same activity or mis it up? I. Having trouble finding a good cross training activity that I enjoy and works with my schedule. I'd love to hear what everyone else is doing for their training/cross training since this is all new to me

 

[DCbride]

I love the Clif Shot Bloks (with or without caffeine) They are sold at Targets (around Disney too) and even my local grocery store. They are about $1. I bought a belt at the expo- really slim, holds just a phone, separate pouch for keys and 2 spots to slide gels. It even has 2 reusable clips for race bibs. When I ran last Nov I had the shot bloks too high and ended up getting a "rug" burn from the top of the blok rubbing my forearm as I was pumping my arms. It was really weird/

 

[Figment1990]

I love the Clif Shot Bloks (with or without caffeine) They are sold at Targets (around Disney too) and even my local grocery store. They are about $1. I bought a belt at the expo- really slim, holds just a phone, separate pouch for keys and 2 spots to slide gels. It even has 2 reusable clips for race bibs. When I ran last Nov I had the shot bloks too high and ended up getting a "rug" burn from the top of the blok rubbing my forearm as I was pumping my arms. It was really weird/

I love clif shot bloks too. My fave is the black cherry...

 

[Figment1990]

I get it. Two years ago I pulled a hamstring the weekend before a half marathon. I was...gardening. Pulling weeds actually, just like you. I also had to take a good 3 months off of running the year before after I blew out my back falling down some stairs.

It'll get better soon. Hang in there!

Thank u Ariel! Falling down stairs does not sound fun.....

And thanks for the Cleveland race report. Ironically the Pittsburgh 5k I did earlier this month was one of the flattest 3 miles I've run in this city!