With less than nine weeks to the grand finale, my first full marathon, our training plan mileage has hit the fun miles. We are only going up from here.
I have been doing my long runs with my girlfriends (who are following the Run Less Run Faster Program). I am following a training plan created specifically for me by Running Hutch and Partner Running. Because of my chest cold and my training plan, I set out this weekend to run only 14 miles… while my girlfriend planned on running 16.
Our route was full of rollers. It was not an easy flat course. Christina and I decided we were going to run a slow and steady pace… sticking as close to our easy long run pace as possible. This required patience and tweaking with our run to slow down and run easy.
We ran a steady and consistent pace up and down the hills. We only stopped twice to use the bathroom and refill our waters (and refueled while there too). We power walked at mile 12 to fuel as well as try to figure out where we were on our route (we kind of got lost and took a wrong/early turn).
As you can see by my splits (to the left) we didn’t’ run for speed. We really focused on trying to run a slow and steady pace.
Being that I was still a bit wheezy from my chest cold, I welcomed the slower pace. However with each hill and roller we came across I found myself wanting to slow down even more.
Around mile 10+ my legs grew very heavy. We were running through some amazing rolling hills. I used to love hills… but when running higher miles those hills are not always welcomed or enjoyed.
I also realized that my nutrition PRE-run was not the best. I am thankful that I am learning this BEFORE race day… but when running these miles on an empty stomach, it isn’t much fun. Time to start figuring out long run fuel again!
Once my garmin hit 14 miles, I stopped to walk. I texted my friend Tiffany with my 14 mile time (2:24) and then proceeded to do a run/walk the remainder of the distance. I found that running (slow) and walking was the same effort. My legs were sluggish… but it was almost easier to run than walk.
I stopped my garmin at 15.5 miles when I got to the van. Christina was finishing up her 16 miles as she was ahead of me. I waited and cheered her in to finish strong. She is rocking her training!
Check out our sweaty, salty selfie post run. It was a beautiful cool morning run. My goal for this week is to hydrate and properly fuel myself to kick this chest cold. I will be running 16 miles (per my training plan) solo this coming weekend. Again, I will be focusing on running a slow and steady pace… but hopefully I will feel stronger than I did today.
After our 16 miler we decided to freeze ourselves. Ya know, do a little cryotherapy. Similar to sitting in an ice bath, except we stand in a freezer that gives you similar results. It was kind of scary and fun at the same time. Nothing like trying something new with a friend to make you giggle!
I will say that I was less sore walking out of cryotherapy than I was when I walked in. And now the next morning (as I type this), I am not sore at all post run! I am a bit tight… but that is to be expected after a long run and an afternoon (day) of fun at the pumpkin patch with the family.
I purchased a groupon for a 5-pack of these sessions and plan on using them occasionally post long run. I think freezing in a freezer for 2 minutes is a bit more enjoyable than sitting in a tub full of ice, right?!
Long runs and cryotherapy… sometimes a little torture of running hills and freezing our buns off is all this mother runner needs once a week. A little time away from her responsibilities of life to hang out with a good friend.
The ice bath is my #1 idea of torture.. but this cryotherapy is interesting. Maybe something I will have to try out. I am definitely not the poster child of fueling. I eat a granola bar pre-race but gummy bears while I run. They are the only things that I can stomach, although they definitely are not ideal.
Wow! Your pace is awesome!
I’ve not had to do an ice bath yet. But with my recent knee problems and marathon training hitting the big numbers, I might have to start. Cryotherapy sounds better to me though!!
love your watch! I got that style (in pink) for Christmas last year and I absolutely love it!!
I haven’t done a nice bath yet, but feel I will have to once I start my first marathon training. I hate, hate, hate being cold!!
Pre-run is usually PB toast and during longer runs I usually bring some clif shot blocks. I’m going to play around with different things though, except gels, cannot stand the consistency of those.
Great job on your long run!
Gotta love those hills. Great practice for the first 15 miles of CIM! =)
Oh and my pre -long run fuel has always been a banana and oatmeal – and If im being honest….I really don’t care for either, but they have always fueled me well for my long runs. The last two weeks I’ve added some sliced almonds on top for the added calories since our distance has increased.
Cryotherapy sounds like something I’d actually try. I don’t know if they have anything like that near me since this is the first I’ve ever heard of it. Pretty cool though! I’ve never done an ice bath either.