Key Workout and Fueling
Looking over my training schedule a few months ago there are a few workouts that seemed especially challenging and that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to complete. The first was a six mile tempo run at 6:40 pace, another was a run with 6 x 1000 meter repeats at 5K pace, a third was a 17-mile run with 14 miles at marathon pace, and the last will be a run that includes 6 x 1200 meter repeats at 5K pace. I can run far, but running fast is not my specialty.
This past Sunday I ran 17-miles with 14 miles at marathon pace (7:00 m/m). Actually, I probably averaged closer to 6:55 pace for these 14 miles. It was a great run. The weather was perfect; there was almost no wind (for the first time in days), and the temps were in the mid-50s. I had to work to maintain the pace, but not too hard; and I was able to get in a rhythm and run smooth. I used my Garmin to keep me from running too fast early and dying in the end. I tried not to look at it too often so that I could get used to feeling the pace, but a few times I caught myself running in the 6:40s. This was a key workout for me. The day before this run I completed my second highest training week ever. After completing this run, I’m confident that I have the fitness to meet my marathon goal. I’ll just have to continue through the next two weeks of training, be smart through the taper and execute on race day. Sounds easy. I wish it were.
I also wanted to say a few things about food/fueling. In the few days before Sunday’s run, I did not eat many carbs. It wasn’t intentional. It just happened to be what my wife served us. Anyway, I was a bit concerned about proper fueling for this training run, so I had a bagel (half with low-fat cream cheese and half w/peanut butter) for breakfast and another bagel (w/pickle, low-fat cream cheese, and a slice of cheddar cheese for lunch) before running that afternoon. I didn’t take any food or water during the run (I didn’t want to stop). I got a bit hungry towards the end of the run, but had more than enough energy to do the work. I rarely eat bagels, but will try them again before my last 20-miler.
One other thing that I forgot to post is that before my last 20 miler I had a chocolate Hammer Gel. I hadn’t had a gel in years. However, I got one as a giveaway at a 5K last month, so I thought I’d try it. The flavor was okay, but I still don’t like the texture. I feel like I’m eating canned frosting. However, I felt good during that training run, and it didn’t have any negative effects on my stomach. I have one more 20 miler. I’ll try to take a gel with me and eat it at the 10-12 mile mark and see if it makes a difference. If I run well with the bagel and gel, that will be my plan for the day of the marathon.
This past Sunday I ran 17-miles with 14 miles at marathon pace (7:00 m/m). Actually, I probably averaged closer to 6:55 pace for these 14 miles. It was a great run. The weather was perfect; there was almost no wind (for the first time in days), and the temps were in the mid-50s. I had to work to maintain the pace, but not too hard; and I was able to get in a rhythm and run smooth. I used my Garmin to keep me from running too fast early and dying in the end. I tried not to look at it too often so that I could get used to feeling the pace, but a few times I caught myself running in the 6:40s. This was a key workout for me. The day before this run I completed my second highest training week ever. After completing this run, I’m confident that I have the fitness to meet my marathon goal. I’ll just have to continue through the next two weeks of training, be smart through the taper and execute on race day. Sounds easy. I wish it were.
I also wanted to say a few things about food/fueling. In the few days before Sunday’s run, I did not eat many carbs. It wasn’t intentional. It just happened to be what my wife served us. Anyway, I was a bit concerned about proper fueling for this training run, so I had a bagel (half with low-fat cream cheese and half w/peanut butter) for breakfast and another bagel (w/pickle, low-fat cream cheese, and a slice of cheddar cheese for lunch) before running that afternoon. I didn’t take any food or water during the run (I didn’t want to stop). I got a bit hungry towards the end of the run, but had more than enough energy to do the work. I rarely eat bagels, but will try them again before my last 20-miler.
One other thing that I forgot to post is that before my last 20 miler I had a chocolate Hammer Gel. I hadn’t had a gel in years. However, I got one as a giveaway at a 5K last month, so I thought I’d try it. The flavor was okay, but I still don’t like the texture. I feel like I’m eating canned frosting. However, I felt good during that training run, and it didn’t have any negative effects on my stomach. I have one more 20 miler. I’ll try to take a gel with me and eat it at the 10-12 mile mark and see if it makes a difference. If I run well with the bagel and gel, that will be my plan for the day of the marathon.
posted by Bart at 12:11 PM
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