I managed to get up early and head out for just over 14km at marathon pace. The oppressive heat of the past few days has broken and I enjoyed running in the cool weather, sun and light wind. I love days with sun, warm temperatures and cool nights.
Helen, let me know how the energy drink works for you. I don't use them in training since they seem to upset my stomach, but I drink gatorade race water stations without any problems. I've been thinking that I should try out gels on a long run or two because a few tiny cups of gatorade might not be enough for the full marathon. The marathon I'm running also has banana and orange stations after the 1/2 way point, but I don't think my stomach would appreciate solid food while running for around 4 hours.
Hmm..I don't think I am quite at the point where I need to worry about fueling myself yet. In fact I am still carrying some extra around on my body for "emergency purposes". Ha Ha. Actually, I know replenishing will be a problem for me at longer distances since Gatorade and energy drinks tend to upset me. I think I am going to try and water them down and work my way up to full concentration.
Stephie- I think the idea of continuing to add time after the C25k is over is the way to go. That is what I did when I completed the program. Lord knows at 30 minutes I wasn't close to finishing a full 5k in distance! Just stick to the 10% rule. Add 10% to your time each week, about 3 minutes, until you reach the full distance. That will help prevent you from overdoing and increasing too fast once the C25K is over.
Miaka- Keep up the good work you will be back in no time!
I was a bit nervous of the energy drink, I had some during my last half marathon from a water station and it seemed to upset my stomach a bit. Plus all I really drink is water and wine, so energy drinks sometimes taste really artificial. I managed to stomach it OK and it seemed to help as I had a really good run (7.6 miles at just over marathon pace) and felt strong til the end. I was only aiming for 7 but didn't see the mile marker for the distance I intended to turn round at. I'm going to try the energy drink again on Sunday when I have 14 miles planned as I'm sure I'll be in the zone where I really need it by then (7 miles is a distance I've done without quite a few times, but I wanted to get used to it on a shorter run).
4.4 miles tomorrow morning probably. I'm finding sticking to the training schedule far easier than I expected, although this will be my most intensive week of running ever and it only gets harder from here!
I can't stomach gatorade on long runs, but I've had good luck with energy gels. For really long runs, 18+ miles or so (ah, memories) I carry a little flask of the stuff, so I can get just a squirt of gel when I need it and distribute it more evenly through the run. I usually have a plan, like one squirt and one drink every mile or so. I'll usually start adding gels if I'm running more than an hour and a half. I've bonked hard without it before, it isn't pretty. Carbs are our friends.
Did my aquathlon tonight. The car said it was 105 degrees when I left home, monsoon thunderstorm blew through on my way there, and it was 75 when I registered to race. The storm did move out in time to race, and it was so much cooler than last week--almost pleasant. But my times were almost identical to last week, a 16:54 swim, 1:15 transition, and 41 min 5K run.
I've just been out for my 4.4 miles, and no need to complain about the heat, it's grey, rainy, windy and pretty chilly. Where has summer gone? Still, I managed a half decent run and now I get to rest til Saturday
I have a question re: C25K program (coolrunning.com) for you experienced runners and graduates (or near) of the program.
I completed second day into week 2 which is alternating 90 sec run with 2min walk. I am finding this week much more intense than last week. The extra 30sec seems to be playing with my head. I'm doing it completely and only experiencing the good type of muscle throb and morning stiffness, so I think I am physically up to it. My question is should I repeat this week before moving on to next week, which alternates two reps of 90 sec jog/90 sec walk and 3min jog/3min walk, if I am still having trouble getting this week down? Or, should I persevere and work on my body over mind control? Which from reading some of your posts, and from my own humble thinkings, is a part of running longer races.
Wndranne, sounds like gorgeous weather to race in! I love Tuscon. It is one of the few other places I would consider living besides my hometown...and maybe New Zealand.
YP1, Summer is here with all of its heat and dryness. I'll try to send some your way, if you send some rain my way. We could use it.
Softballmom, I don't know a lot about the program you are doing, but if you ran 60 sec at a time last week and 90 seconds seems too much, could you run for 75 seconds at a time this week? Or alternate 60 seconds with one run "burst" and then walk and then 90 seconds with the next run "burst"? I may be totally misunderstanding your program. I remember when it was TORTURE to run down the straight side of an oval track...it gets better, I promise! You can do it!!
Softballmom- Hard call to make. I don't think either way is wrong as long as you are just generally sore and a specific body part is bothering you. I say give it a try. If the 3 min run seems too much maybe you could try making up your own intermediate week with all 90 sec run/90 sec walk intervals? That way you are still moving forward but its not as intense.
Thank you ladies for all the great advice. I have signed up for a 5k but it is not until Aug 6th so I will continue to do the c25k by time and just keep adding to it slowly after I am finished with the actual program. So on to week 7 it is.
miaka - welcome back, great job on getting your run in .
only me - 14km, you go girl
skinny jeans - yeah I think that is what I am going to do, just add little bits of time to the end. Was not sure how much to add so thanks for the 10% suggestion.
helen - which energy drink were you trying?
anne - great job on your aquathlon even in light of the storm.
softball mom - I would try it. I almost always remember looking at the next week and being like there is no way I can do that. Mental roadblocks...you can do it. If the 90 seconds is hard then just slow down a bit. You will feel like you are going ridiculously slow but it will allow you to continue on the program.
Softballmom--I also think that you should go ahead and try the next week. You can do it!!!
I've been taking it easy lately...running two or three miles here and there. I know it's just excuses, but work and the heat have been really getting to me. But...I took a day of vacation tomorrow to enjoy the 80 degree temperatures (whew---10 degrees cooler than what we've had and far less humidity!), and I hope to get a long run in. I'm dogsitting for a co-worker. Shadow loves to run, but she isn't in the best shape. The two of us will go for 20 minutes or so, then I'll drop her off to continue on. It's fun to run with a dog too!!
