I’ve had a tough week. I have been super tired and just haven’t felt up to the same level of running I”ve been doing. I’ve not skipped any runs, but I sure have skipped other things – fun things – and I’ve been getting about 8 hours of sleep every night – 10 one night!
I couldn’t figure out what was going on until my daughter pulled out the scale the other day and asked if she could weigh herself. When she was finished, I got on. I typically don’t weigh myself unless I’m in training, but I thought what the heck.
I’d lost three pounds.
Now for some this is no biggie – for me, a hugie. I’m always struggling to keep my weight up, particularly when I run. I don’t like to be rail thin, but that is what happens if I don’t eat enormous amounts of calories while running.
The fact that I had lost that much weight in just a few months startled me. So, I took a really hard look at my running routine yesterday and during my long run this morning (12 miles) to consider what could be happening.
This is what I realized:
- While I had cut back on mileage during Saturday’s long run, I had actually increased mileage during the week AND added on a new day – Sunday – so I could get used to running back to back.
- Since I was not running more than 10 on Saturdays I gave up both Gatorade and any type of nourishment during my longer runs (power bar, etc) that i used to eat if I was going over 8 miles.
It was like a lightbulb going off in my head – bing! – oh yea, Einstein, you are running a lot and not doing it the right way.
I always write about making sure you get enough fluids, using Gatorade for runs over 8 or so miles (esp. in the heat and humidity, of which we’ve had both), watchign calories so you are eating to run, and what do I do? I turn my back on all of this advice.
My last few long runs have been brutal, and I mean brutal, with me stopping a few times, feeling out of breath, and being dragged through the last mile or so at the end.
Today I had a gel pack at mile 7, I had gatorade and water mixed throughout the run, and I felt so, so, so much better – I was able to do 12, and felt I could do another mile or two if needed.
I also finished my last mile at a 7:49 pace! That astounded me. I have been interspersing speed with longer runs, and I will write about this tomorrow, but to be able to do this at the end of a 12 miler was great.
Heed my advice, which I shall, too, heed: if you are going over 6 miles, drink a mix of gatorade and water (esp. if it is hot outside!)
If you are going over 8 or so mile, also use a gel pack for added energy – or munch on a powerbar or goldfish or something along the way.
Watch the number of miles you are running per week and eat accordingly.
If you are falling out of training – the marathon is over, for instance – don’t forget that you are still running high miles (if you are ) and eat and run and plan accordingly. Don’t give all of that up because the day of the big race is over!
Today’s 12 miler was a great one. I’m hoping I am ‘back.’ It was tough feeling so sluggish this week.
Happy Running this weekend!
I also started adding gels to my longer runs, and it really has made a big differance.
It’s amazing what just a few changes can do to your runs – I have to keep reminding myself of that over and over again! I actually do better when I eat something but hubby had eaten my last power bar this satruday lol!!