Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sunny Side Up at the PNR
Today's Run: 7.16m
Run Time: 1:31:14 (12:45 minutes per mile)
Total Miles to Date: 610.4m
Thoughts on the Run:
Whew!
Let me say that again: whew!
I planned to run in the morning. Instead, my wife and I decided to have a nice breakfast together. That was fine because I knew I could wait and hour or two and then run while it was still early. Unfortunately, things came up, schedules were rearranged, and suddenly my run was pushed until almost noon.
I knew it was getting hot but decided I need to learn to acclimate myself to the heat. So, I decided to run anyway. I am focused on finishing a marathon, so my training runs have the same goal: it's not about how fast, but that I finish it.
And I was determined. I decided before stepping out of the door that I would finish the run, no matter what. If I couldn't run, I'd walk. If I couldn't walk, I'd crawl. Last season I was cutting a lot of runs short. This time I decided it wasn't about going 3 miles on a 7 mile run and then giving up ... if it took me all day I was going to finish the distance.
So, I set out. I normally would take two 16oz bottles on a 7-mile run. This time, however, I was prepared with a 64oz hydration pack (about 2 liters). I wasn't going to let hydration be an excuse!
Running for the first few miles was tough and I started out too fast, clocking a 9-minute mile. The heat struck quickly but I was confident that I had fluids and was sipping frequently rather than following my older habit of taking gulps every 15 - 20 minutes. The strategy seemed to work. When I would get dizzy going up hills, I'd switch to a fast walk, but would not stop completely.
After an initial out-and-back I was at a fork in the road. I could split one direction and head closer to home or head out in another and commit myself to a longer loop. I decided to commit myself. I made it to the PNR: the point of no return. I would have to go the distance no matter what.
I felt like an egg sunny side up. The run had no shade so there was no recourse from the heat. It was nearly 100 degrees and humid. There were many times during the run where I wanted to quit and would be forced to walk. Even walking left my dizzy and feeling weak but then I'd make it to the top of the hill and start out in a slow shuffle down the other side. I was able to run the entire way.
I realized that I run far better with my stomach half full than half empty. Okay, that's a joke but I used to get stomach pains and this run helped me realize that it may have been from keeping my stomach too empty. By drinking in a full 64 ounces on the 7 miles I actually stayed hydrated despite the heat but also did not get the stomach pains. Near the end, however, I may have drank too much because my stomach started to feel bloated and full.
It was also interesting because I noticed that I stopped sweating near the end of the run. I don't think that's a good sign but I'll have to look into it more. At any rate I was drinking Gatorade and I also took a salt capsule midway through. I'm glad I brought the salt. I was so bloated that my fingers hurt where my rings were, but after the salt tab the swelling went down.
I finally finished the run and was wiped out for the rest of the day. Fortunately, I wasn't allowed to be too lazy because I had a pool date with my daughter. I think it helped swimming around for a few hours to recover. I slept more deeply than I have in a long time and felt nice and sore this morning ... but I did it, a 7-mile run in the heat.
Today I finished editing my daughter's latest video, a recipe for Antipasto Salad. She is really doing great in front of the camera.
I've yet to record one of my own but today may be the day. Until next time,
Run Time: 1:31:14 (12:45 minutes per mile)
Total Miles to Date: 610.4m
Thoughts on the Run:
Whew!
Let me say that again: whew!
I planned to run in the morning. Instead, my wife and I decided to have a nice breakfast together. That was fine because I knew I could wait and hour or two and then run while it was still early. Unfortunately, things came up, schedules were rearranged, and suddenly my run was pushed until almost noon.
I knew it was getting hot but decided I need to learn to acclimate myself to the heat. So, I decided to run anyway. I am focused on finishing a marathon, so my training runs have the same goal: it's not about how fast, but that I finish it.
And I was determined. I decided before stepping out of the door that I would finish the run, no matter what. If I couldn't run, I'd walk. If I couldn't walk, I'd crawl. Last season I was cutting a lot of runs short. This time I decided it wasn't about going 3 miles on a 7 mile run and then giving up ... if it took me all day I was going to finish the distance.
So, I set out. I normally would take two 16oz bottles on a 7-mile run. This time, however, I was prepared with a 64oz hydration pack (about 2 liters). I wasn't going to let hydration be an excuse!
Running for the first few miles was tough and I started out too fast, clocking a 9-minute mile. The heat struck quickly but I was confident that I had fluids and was sipping frequently rather than following my older habit of taking gulps every 15 - 20 minutes. The strategy seemed to work. When I would get dizzy going up hills, I'd switch to a fast walk, but would not stop completely.
After an initial out-and-back I was at a fork in the road. I could split one direction and head closer to home or head out in another and commit myself to a longer loop. I decided to commit myself. I made it to the PNR: the point of no return. I would have to go the distance no matter what.
I felt like an egg sunny side up. The run had no shade so there was no recourse from the heat. It was nearly 100 degrees and humid. There were many times during the run where I wanted to quit and would be forced to walk. Even walking left my dizzy and feeling weak but then I'd make it to the top of the hill and start out in a slow shuffle down the other side. I was able to run the entire way.
I realized that I run far better with my stomach half full than half empty. Okay, that's a joke but I used to get stomach pains and this run helped me realize that it may have been from keeping my stomach too empty. By drinking in a full 64 ounces on the 7 miles I actually stayed hydrated despite the heat but also did not get the stomach pains. Near the end, however, I may have drank too much because my stomach started to feel bloated and full.
It was also interesting because I noticed that I stopped sweating near the end of the run. I don't think that's a good sign but I'll have to look into it more. At any rate I was drinking Gatorade and I also took a salt capsule midway through. I'm glad I brought the salt. I was so bloated that my fingers hurt where my rings were, but after the salt tab the swelling went down.
I finally finished the run and was wiped out for the rest of the day. Fortunately, I wasn't allowed to be too lazy because I had a pool date with my daughter. I think it helped swimming around for a few hours to recover. I slept more deeply than I have in a long time and felt nice and sore this morning ... but I did it, a 7-mile run in the heat.
Today I finished editing my daughter's latest video, a recipe for Antipasto Salad. She is really doing great in front of the camera.
I've yet to record one of my own but today may be the day. Until next time,
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