Re-learning Lessons in Running
As runners were learn all types of lessons as far as what works for us and what doesn’t. Simple things like do I wear my hair like this or like that? Do I like these shoes or those? should I eat these gels or those bars? can make all the difference in the comfort and the performance of our runs. For me, though, sometimes it’s take me a few times to learn a lesson and sometimes even a second go round to realize something is or just is not going to work. Apparently I don’t really learn it the first time. and sometimes the second. or third.
This week I feel like I re-iterated many lessons I already knew.
I cannot drink Gatorade before a race. Last time I decided to drink a big jug of Gatorade before a race I yakked when I sprinted for the finish at the end. Not sure what made me decide to drink one before yesterdays race, but I spent the last two miles feeling like I might yak if I ran any faster. Cute, I know.
Nike Free’s are no bueno for longer outside runs. Ouch ouch ouch. I’ve got two lovely blisters from my 7 mile speed run on Wednesday. Again-real cute, huh?
Marathon training is tough. Somehow over the last few weeks my mileage has built really quickly and before I knew it I had a 14 mile run on the schedule for today. It was really tough. I’d forgotten just how hard those first few long runs are on you. I feel a looong ways away from where I hope to be for the Chevron Houston Marathon in January.
Taking off too fast during a race is a bad idea. Here are my splits from yesterday’s race.
Mile 1: 7:55
Mile 2: 8:05
Mile 3: 8:14
Mile 4: 8:20
Mile 5: 8:45
Mile 6: 8:58
Final .2: 8:20 pace
I slowed down majorly in the last two miles. The mind games started to set in and I told myself there was no way I could run any faster. I also told myself at the beginning I needed to slow down when I kept seeing a 7:30 pace on my watch when I looked down, but somehow I convinced myself it was fine and I was feeling good. Sometimes I think if I’d go a little easy at the front end of a longer race I can find a groove at the back end. I don’t think I’ve ever managed a negative split in a race, but I did have a dead on perfect split in my last marathon, that I’m pretty proud of 
.
Hammer gels are not my thing. I think this was the third time I gave these a try. I ran out of clif shots last week so for today long run I used a hammer gel I had gotten free in a race packet.
What kind of lessons have you learned from running? What works for you and what doesn’t?
I definitely learned yesterday as well that gatorade is a NO GO for me! I ran straight for the potters after finishing my race because I felt so sick (no bueno!). I also hate hearing my distance during a race from my phone I learned and just focus on the music and the run. I feel under pressure when I hear my times and everything for some reason? I like to just rely on my training for racing (though I would love to know my splits like you have).
my lesson is only run when you feel like it or else you’ll injure yourself or have a bad run!
I hear ya! Sometimes I just think “well, I’ll try it again and see how it goes” but I usually get the same results I learned a few years earlier. For me it was food- I can’t do any of the runner stuff, I need actual food- candy, crackers, chips, peanut butter, brownies.
Great job! I can’t wait to see what you do at the Houston Marathon. I’m running it too so maybe I’ll see ya there