Category Archives: hydration

Good, bad, good…

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The last three days I have had a mixed bag of running experiences. The two good runs definitely out-weigh Thursday’s disaster, so that is a good thing!

Wednesday I decided to break out of my mini-break from running due to scheduling issues. I had a rehearsal that night, so I only did a short run. Nothing spectacular, but I call it a good run as I felt pretty solid in rehearsal. I din’t totally fade beyond the usual fade of a two hour soul rehearsal.

Thursday I headed out later than normal and I don’t think I had eaten nearly enough or hydrated properly and it showed. I was also over dressed and really warm. I had to take many walking breaks to get through it. I thought about trying to push through the malaise, but it just didn’t seem worth it to me. It was just one of those days when I wasn’t feeling it, and I thought it was a good thing that I recognized it. Oh, and my watch wasn’t fully charged and I lost a quarter mile (for some reason) on my first mile. With no stats to read, I was doomed! So I accepted my fate and headed home.

Today’s third-in-a-row run was much much better. I felt tired, but not nearly like I did yesterday. I also gobbled half of an Odwalla bar beforehand to make sure I was at least slightly fortified. Seemed to help quite a bit. Also, today was a rebif day, so I was feeling the boost I often feel from my shot. I almost managed a sub 10 min mile, but ended up coming in just above that. I felt pretty strong throughout, nothing spectacular, but still solid. I did walk the hill out of reed, but that was my only slowdown. My one mistake today was over-dressing again, by the end of the run I felt like I did when I ran the Portland Marathon (which started out on a cold morning and ended in the sun) and had all sorts of gear tied around my waist.

Five pound run

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What happens when you run for 11 miles with no water? Well if you are like me you lose five pounds. I am sure I’ll manage to drink it all back tonight but it is pretty amazing to see that on a scale. I guess boxers call that cutting weight but I’ll call it dumb on my part. I swear that is the last time I run that far without water, I’ll bring that water bottle next time!

The run felt great today. I was really slow just barely coming in under 11 min miles. It was sort of a new route for my long runs of late. I have done the route in the past, but not in a long while. Its actually a nice route, nearly three miles of it on the Springwater Corridor. The only frag about the route is the last four miles are essentially on hills as I climbed from the river front back to my home. I totalled about 10.75 miles which is a half mile more that my longest runs this winter. I’d like to keep adding miles to these runs in the future. I think that would be more beneficial than trying to do them faster. Not that I am training for anything at the moment, but that might change… Stay tuned!

This is the fourth Monday in a row that I have done a long run and the third in a row of over 10 miles. Last week I didn’t keep my overall miles up over 30 though, I had too much to do and weather getting in the way. I’d really like to return to the habit and keep my weekly miles over 30 for now. Running long on the first day of my running week is a nice boost. Makes the total not seem so insurmountable.

Oddly I have not run at all on Tuesdays after my long runs this month, well I guess it isn’t too odd, as I usually have a band practice on Tuesdays (this week and next I have it off so hopefully I will take advantage.) I really should be doing a recover run to keep my momentum going. Even a short run of 3-4 miles would be good and would reap benefits (plus I’d be that closer to my weekly goals!)

My Oregon Medical Insurance Pool will be ending soon once Obamacare takes over. I looked into my options coming up once it fully takes effect. Coverage for my wife and I will run about half of the OMIP plan. Here is one small business owner and job creator that will not be closing his doors! Yeah my situation is different than many being that my wife and I are the only two employees (actually just me, but I slide Ruthann money enough so that I can consider her on the dole.) but still, STFU Obamacare haters! I’ll add more on OC as I actually participate and I will be honest. If it sucks, I’ll let you know!

6 miles under 10

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After my faster than usual run yesterday I decided to try to run under 10 minute miles again. I took a couple of breaks but managed to run 9:52 for six miles. Not bad! I tried a couple of things from past readings about increasing your speed. The best one by far has to do with tilting your entire body forward (not bending at the waist). You feel as if you are falling forwards, but it is that momentum that pulls you along and builds up your speed. So I focussed on doing that today for several stretches.

I ran early but it was still warm, so I brought water and took sips throughout my run. I think this balance of hydration really helped keep me going. Something to more of in the near future.

I did notice my feet were getting pretty sore as I was finishing, but I was able to push through it. The last half mile was tough to keep the pace going but I did it. Good small breakthrough.