Yesterday, I donned my ifitness running belt, grabbed my water bottle, and hit the trails for an easy 6.5 miler. I brought my phone with me and even set it to record my run, but I made the decision to not worry about time or distance (I'd already mapped out my distance, so I had a general idea of where to go for my 6.5 miles). I just wanted to enjoy the run.
I walked to my starting point and stopped to stretch. I've been pretty terrible about stretching and my shins have really been protesting, so I decided I really need to be better about stretching after my warm-up and then again after the workout.
I started out a little on the slow side but was feeling pretty good.
Not too long after crossing the first bridge and heading back north along the river, I started to feel pretty tired. I needed a pick-me-up. I brought a couple gel packs with me, but my tummy always tends to feel a little nauseous and the thought of having any kind of gel really turns my stomach. I tried to just keep pushing through but eventually decided I should just give it a try.
I figured I'd walk a little ways before the next trash can, so I could open the packet, eat it, and get to the trash can just in time to start running again.
Not so.
My hands had gotten so super sweaty that I couldn't get my Hammer Gel packet to open. I even tried ripping it with my teeth. I still hadn't opened it by the time I reached the trash can and had to stand there for what seemed like a very long time still struggling with it. I finally got it opened and ate it. I tried the Apple Cinnamon, and it was actually pretty tasty. Didn't upset my stomach at all. Yay!This all happened at just under 4 miles, and it gave me the perfect boost to finish out my run. Double yay!
I did have a couple physical problems during the race. The normal shin pain that kind of comes and goes. A little numbing in my right arm. A few pebbles in my shoes. Shoes rubbing my ankles raw.
Maybe I should run with headphones just to distract me from dwelling on all these minor problems. I also think I should probably incorporate some running on the treadmill because that tends to help with the shin pain.
After my run, I got in a longer-than-usual cool down. It felt great to just walk several blocks after running. After getting home and stretching and showering, I spent some time icing my shins. I think this was really smart, because today, they are not really bothering me so much. Sweet.
All in all, this was a great run for me. I'm not sure I could have gone on for another 1.5 miles (next week's long distance), but I felt pretty good at the end of this one.
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Later in the afternoon, we made a run to the Scuba Center in Edina, which happened to be across the street from Marathon Sports, so while Jeff paid at the Scuba Center I stopped into the running store. I got a new (my first) handheld water bottle.
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| amphipod Hydraform Handheld Thermal-Lite |
I also got some new non-cotton running socks.
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| asics intensity™ low cut |
I also picked up some Clif Shot Bloks (orange) and some Gu Chomps (blueberry pomegranate) to try out. I think that I might be more mentally able to stomach these than the gel packs. I'll let you know!
Tomorrow, I'm scheduled for a 5 mile run. I plan on bringing my running gear to work with me and just running home after work. It's about 5.4 miles, so that should be perfect for a nice warm-up and cool-down! I'm very excited!
Good for you! First - I love that you tried Hammer Gel - I'm a Hammer girl and won't use anything else - all the rest of the stuff out there has way too much sugar in it for my stomach to handle. That's why Hammer sits well with me - no simple sugars. Here's a trick to try: I mix my Hammer Gel with water on a long run - easier to handle - not so much intense flavor and texture at once. I use their flask, though you could use any small water container. I get it to fit in my belt. You can even mix several servings and just sip a little at a time for longer runs. When you buy the big bottles of gel directly from them, they send you a free flask. Because I buy a lot, I've acquired quite a few. :) Anyway, I've decided my next longer race, I'll mix some in one and just throw it away when I use it, since I have so many. Here's what the flask looks like: http://www.hammernutrition.com/products/hammer-flask.hf.html. Sorry - more info than you probably wanted!!!! I like the shape of your new water bottle. Love the new socks, too!
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