This is my training journal. I'm bad at titles. (Comments welcome!)

[Naomeri]

It was 77+70 at 4:30am in MN. One look at the fogged up windows and I stayed home. If I’m running in those conditions, there better be a medal at the end

 

[striker1064]

It's 80F at 6 AM. Again. Current weather forecast: July.

 

[striker1064]

July 24 - July 30: 13 Weeks until Marine Corps Marathon

Total running time: 7h 5min
Total running mileage: 43.0mi

Monday: Rest - As mentioned previously, took an extra rest day. My pain level is a bit better. Not perfect, but it feels more like tightness to monitor rather than an injury? Keeping my fingers cross for this one.

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 6.5 Miles Easy; T+D 74+69=143

• Splits: 10:51, 9:57, 9:58, 9:47, 9:43, 9:33, 9:34

Thursday: Speed Workout: 2 Mi WU + 3x [400m R (7:03) w/ 400m jog + 3x (200m R w/ 200m jog)] + 1 Mi CD

This is a replica of a workout I've done I think twice before, so I at least knew what to expect. And it did in fact go a bit better this time around. It was supposed to be a 2-mile CD but lol at the idea of anything being a "cool down" in this heat.

• T+D: 80+74=154
• WU: 10:25, 10:20; CD: 10:06
• 3x [400m R (7:03, or 1:45/rep) w/ 400m jog + 3x (200m R, or 0:53/rep w/ 200m jog)]
  • 400m Rep 1: 7:06 (1:46)
    • 200m Rep 1: 7:15 (0:54)
    • 200m Rep 2: 7:15 (0:54)
    • 200m Rep 3: 6:58 (0:52)
  • 400m Rep 2: 7:15 (1:48)
    • 200m Rep 4: 6:50 (0:51)
    • 200m Rep 5: 6:50 (0:51)
    • 200m Rep 6: 6:50 (0:51)
  • 400m Rep 3: 7:06 (1:46)
    • 200m Rep 7: 7:06 (0:53)
    • 200m Rep 8: 6:50 (0:51)
    • 200m Rep 9: 6:58 (0:52)

All in all, I'm very happy with where this ended up especially considering the heat. It was not easy, but also it never felt too big.

Friday: 8 Miles Easy; T+D 82+76=158

• Splits: 10:12, 9:50, 9:45, 9:53, 9:57, 9:32, 9:23, 9:26

As I wrote in my Strava, I was singing and dancing down the Metropolitan Branch Trail to distract myself from how miserably hot this run was. A T+D of almost 160 before 8 AM is not normal for DC even in July. Just completely miserable weather.

Saturday: 7 Miles Easy; T+D 78+70=148

• Splits: 10:01, 9:34, 10:27, 10:18, 11:05, 11:05, 11:11

Normally Saturdays are run club days, but a friend texted and asked if I wanted to get out early early to beat the heat. Yes I do. It was a little cooler than Friday. You know it's been a hot, humid summer when a dew point of 70 seems reasonable.

Sunday: 15 Miles Easy

• Starting T+D: 70+63=133
• Ending T+D: 76+62=138
• Pre-run: Maurten 320 drink mix
• In-run: Water (~1.8 liters), and nutrition at each 3-mile increment:
  • SiS Beta Gel (orange)
  • 2 scoops concentrated Tailwind (berry)
  • SiS gel (pineapple)
  • Egel (watermelon)
• 15 Miles Easy (9:42-10:40)
  • Mile 1: 9:53
  • Mile 2: 10:02
  • Mile 3: 10:16
  • Mile 4: 10:09
  • Mile 5: 9:57
  • Mile 6: 9:46
  • Mile 7: 9:59
  • Mile 8: 10:11
  • Mile 9: 10:05
  • Mile 10: 9:46
  • Mile 11: 10:07
  • Mile 12: 10:02
  • Mile 13: 10:13
  • Mile 14: 9:48
  • Mile 15: 9:45

Trying out lots of gels here. The SiS gels are both isotonic like Maurten gels, so any nutrition I can take without water is worth a look. SiS Beta has 40g carbs, which is quite helpful. And they taste good! The regular SiS gels, not so much. They have a weird, watery texture.

No real problems here - total time elapsed was 2h 30min 8sec, and with dew points in the low 60s (what is this, spring?) this was not a bad run at all. I brought my hydration vest with two 500ml flasks and refilled both at a fountain.

And yes, another day of singing and dancing while running. Whatever it takes to get through the heat!

 

[SheHulk]

Always interested in nutrition taste-test results!

 

[striker1064]

Always interested in nutrition taste-test results!

In that case, the regular SiS gels had a consistency that very much reminded me of snot. Quite off-putting!

The Betas are much better.

 

[azrivest]

In that case, the regular SiS gels had a consistency that very much reminded me of snot. Quite off-putting!

The Betas are much better.

You make it sound so appetizing!

 

[azrivest]

Speaking of nutrition, I tried Liquid IV for the first time before my run this morning. I found it better tasting than the Maurten, even at the concentrated level that Billy drinks it.

 

[flav]

In that case, the regular SiS gels had a consistency that very much reminded me of snot. Quite off-putting!

The Betas are much better.

SIS doesn’t sell in Canada so I was going to cross the border and buy some so that DH can try it before the NYC Marathon because that is what they provide. I had a few in 2018 or 2019 when it was Montreal Rock’n’Roll. Unfortunately, your description of the consistency is right on… I am no longer sure that I can take them with that image in my mind

 

[striker1064]

Speaking of nutrition, I tried Liquid IV for the first time before my run this morning. I found it better tasting than the Maurten, even at the concentrated level that Billy drinks it.

I actually do use Liquid IV as well sometimes before a long run for the electrolytes, but in this case the Maurten is because I'm treating these long runs as a dress rehearsal for race day.

Unfortunately, your description of the consistency is right on… I am no longer sure that I can take them with that image in my mind

Happy to be of service!

 

[striker1064]

Some sad news for today... On Thursday night I very unexpectedly lost my sweet girl Max of 14 years to cancer. My sleep and my running by proxy have taken a big hit. Rest in peace Max - you were the very best.

 

[jmasgat]

So sorry you lost your dear sweet Max.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Condolences.

 

[azrivest]

All my heartfelt wishes Rest well Max

Our little fur buddies create such a void when they leave us

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I'm so so sorry! Cherokee was a ragdoll cat I bought when I was twelve. He passed away at age 18, shortly after my younger daughter was born. I was devastated even with the distraction of a newborn. It took me several years to be ready for another cat.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

So sorry to hear about Max

 

[RuntheMouse]

Sorry you lost sweet Max.

 

[nancipants]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[avondale]

So sorry about Max!

 

[Naomeri]

Sorry for your loss

 

[GollyGadget]

So sorry to hear the sad news. I know I’d be a wreck so remember to give yourself grace and take one day at a time.