the first of many long runs
Yesterday, I had my first of what will be many long runs. When I first started running I used to classify any mileage over 5 as a long run. Then, as my race distances increased, so did my definition of the long run. I guess it is also dependent on where I am in the training for which particular race. So, right now in the training process my long runs are anything over 10, but hopefully in another month or so, 10 miles will be my mid-week running distance and I won’t think twice about heading out on a Wednesday to do “only” 10 miles.
For me, a long run means several things: preparation, time commitment, proper fueling, and intentional recovery. Oh, and the best feeling of accomplishment that I’ve ever found. I seem to have to wrap my mind around a long run. I need to picture in my mind how many miles I’m going to go, how long it will take me, and how I plan on feeling. Bottom line is: I love the long run.
This weekend, it took some coordinating of the schedules before KT and settled on doing our long run early. Seven in the morning is terribly early on a Sunday. Since that was the only time we could both make it happen we buckled down and did it. Then, I had a really hard time finding a suitable route for us. I wasn’t a huge fan of the loop that I did last week, mainly because I miscalculated a turn or two and ended up having to run BY my house in order to get the last half a mile in. Sidenote: It is never a good idea to have to pass by the “finish” line in order to get the miles in, just messed with the mind. But, no matter how many other routes I mapped out, they would either be 10.9 miles or 9.6….11.1 or 8.9. It was so frustrating. Finally I decided to tweak my loop from last week and be done with it. It ended up working rather well.
In preparation, we drove out to the half way point and planted our water bottles in the snow beside the road, knowing we would be so thankful for that liquid after 5.5 miles. Then we drove back to the start and took off. I had planned on running an extra 2 miles to get my mileage up to 12 this week, so I took my gels at miles 4 and 8. There were some really nice hills at different places on the route, but they didn’t seem to bother me. One up just led to another down. I guess my legs are starting to adjust to all the “elevation” around here. Now, some might argue that the landscape here is pretty flat, which I’m sure that it is, but when running you notice even the slightest change in incline. I might even get gutsy enough to tackle the hill from my crazy 7 mile route….hmmm someday.
After the 10 miles with KT, my legs were feeling a little dead but I was pretty sure that I could get in another two miles. I decided to change my playlist, increase my pace, and see how fast I could get them done. Surprisingly running fast actually felt really good after the long mileage. I was engaging what felt like a new muscle group. I was able to kick up my feet and push harder than I thought I would. Not the fastest two miles, but pretty quick for me.
Yes, I did take an ice bath after. People continue to think that I’m crazy, and I continue to be free of pain, so I will continue to take ice baths. Then I went to Jazzercise which was super fun as always. Once again, since it was a different kind of movement it felt so refreshing to my legs. I’m starting to think that I need to increase the weights that I use. I need to continue to challenge my upper body and I’m strengthening my lower. It’s all about balance.
The one part of the recovery process that I didn’t do great with was the refueling. I just didn’t seem to be that hungry yesterday. I had a smoothie and then some vegetarian hotdogs, but that was pretty much it until dinner. We decided to splurge and go to Red Robin with KT and company. IT WAS SO AMAZING! Now, while I may not have been hungry during the day, by supper time, I had no trouble eating at all. I had gotten very hungry and the gardenburger hit the spot as usual. I decided to venture away from my usual “five alarm” styling and another one who’s name I can remember, whichever one has BBQ sauce on it. Delightful!
Came home, did some stretching with my foam roller and “the stick”. What a great day!
