Tuesday 1 May 2007

Running along the beach in Galveston, TX

I snapped this picture with my cell phone on Saturday morning. I got to see the most beautiful sunrise - as I ran along the beach! It was very cool. Running at sea level is enlightening - to put it mildly. If I had more time, I think I could have run forever. 6,000 feet altitude makes a difference in the way a run feels.

I have only 19 more days until my half-marathon. I spend a bit of time thinking I am not ready, but reality tells me I am ready. I just got done running 10 and a half miles - in some seriously hilly terrain. My time wasn't bad.. It was 2 hours 1 minute. (I TOLD you I was slow!)

Here is a question: When you are taking a run that lasts two hours or more, what do you do about water/fluids? I had an energy gel in my sports bra, and had that at about 6 miles. I stopped at a gas station at 3 miles and bought a powerade - and carried the remaining miles with me. That is a pain and I think it really slows me down. But I can't run for that long without replenishing some fluids... what do y'all do? (Thanks for any feeback on that!)

6 comments:

Debbi said...

When it was cool enough to run wearing a hooded sweatshirt, I stashed a couple little 8-oz bottles of water in the pocket, along with a gel pack. On my last long run I put three bottles of water along the road and just picked them up as I went past.

I have to stop to drink them, but I don't think it hurts too much in the, ahem, long run. Heh.

Your time was fine. I didn't worry too much about the time on the long training runs. I was more worried about whether I could last that long.

I'm all excited for you! You're coming down the home stretch of training ... nothing looks fun right now. Just wait 'til you hit that finish line.

Marcy said...

I'm no where near you in terms of running anything over 6 mi LOL So I haven't crossed the bridge for needing fluids on long runs yet. But I have seen some people use those belts that you can strap water bottles in (I don't know what they are called, I think maybe Fuel Belts ?!?) Don't know if they work good or if they're even a hindrance for running, but I guess it's to each his/her own LOL.

You're going to do GREAT and you're NOT slow!!! ;)

Adam said...

Great pic of the sunrise.

I kind of thought of doing what Debbie suggested by taking a drive and strategically placing water bottles alont the way before I run.

Jason The Running Man said...

I picked up a fuel belt. For my half I took 20oz of Endurance Gatorade and 20oz of water. At mile 6 I had 10oz of water and 6oz of gatorade. At mile 8 I had the remaining 4oz of gatorade. At mile 10 I had 10oz water, mile 11 6oz gatorade and mile 13 the remaining 4oz of gatorade. No science behind it just made sure I paid attention to the way I felt and took on fuids frequently.

ws said...

On any runs over 10 miles I take a fuel belt - it has four 8oz bottles. I fill three with 1/2 gatorade and 1/2 water and one pure water (to use with gel). I carry one gel (though I rarely use them). The fuel belt is about $35 and they are pretty comfortable - they also have a little pouch in the back. Carrying anything in my hands (like an ipod or a bottle of water) causes my forearms to tighten up.

I wouldn't worry about time in your training runs - if you finish the distance that is what is important. Adrenaline kicks in on race day...

Vanessa said...

Running in Galveston is especially wonderful in the morning. My husband and I are training for the San Antonio Rock 'n Roll marathon for November. The best time to run is in the morning. We reward ourselves by doing a loop which ends on Seawall. The gorgeous sky and non-stop sidewalk keeps us in our groove with a lovely view.