Eight Mistake

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Remember how I wrote that I’m struggling to stick to my training plan for more than two weeks in a row?  That the third week is always the crap week?  Now I’m wondering if this is a self-fulfilling prophecy because I totally blew it this week.  Well, perhaps not totally, but I definitely didn’t make all my workouts.  I might just give into the cycle and redo my training plan appropriately.

 

This morning, I figured that I should at least get my long run in – a training week is never a complete bust if you get the long workout in, right?

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Running long distances again is kind of weird.  The first time I ran all of these distances, I always thought, “Eight miles? I can NEVER do this!” or “Twelve miles?  I’m going to diiiiie.”  Obviously, I did do it, and I didn’t die, but after so much time off for pregnancy and recovery, I feel like I’m starting all over again.  I’ve got to remind myself that yes, I can definitely do this. 

 

I just have to… well, do it.

 

I made a rookie mistake though: I forgot my fuel!

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I generally follow these ‘rules’ from Runners’ World on mid-run calorie and water intake.  I definitely try to eat within a half hour of beginning my run – stomach of steel! – and I drink a few sips of water at least every 15 minutes of running.  RW recommends eating during the run if you’re exercising for more than 75 minutes; I tend to figure out my calorie needs by total miles and will usually eat something mid-run if I’m running more than seven miles. 

 

Basically, no matter what you eat, you’re looking for easily digestible carbs.  Here are some of my favorite mid-run fuel ideas:

 

  • Dates or apricots
  • Jelly beans (YUM)
  • Gummi Bears
  • Hammer Gel, Clif Shot Bloks, or Clif Shots (the Clif kinds are organic)
  • Gatorade

 

If I’m on a long bike ride, I’ll eat a peanut butter sandwich (while riding – mad skillz!).  But I don’t think peanut butter sandwiches and running mix too well.

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Anyway, I wasn’t very speedy, but that was probably due to my lack of fuel (doh!) and the fact that I ran a relatively fast five miler yesterday.  Still – eight miles is never shabby, and I’m pumped to be getting my mileage back.

 

The icing on the cake of my rookie mistake (hey – that rhymes!)?  Not only did I forget to eat mid-run, but I got sucked into the vortex of chores and baby care when I got back and ended up not having anything else but a smoothie for a few hours post-run.  A recipe for a serious headache.  I will NOT be making this mistake next week! 

 

What’s your favorite thing to eat mid-run?  Anyone else do a long run this morning?

{ 23 comments }

 

  • Mariel December 15, 2012, 2:37 pm

    Great job! Thanks for posting this. I have eight on the schedule today too and was lacking motivation! I’m training for my first half so I gotta stop psyching myself out! Here’s to eight glorious miles!!!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 15, 2012, 2:57 pm

    Don’t worry Caitlin! It’s just one run – I’m sure you can pick right back up next week! And even though it wasn’t a fast one, the fact that you did it is still something to be proud of. I was feeling a little less energetic than usual this morning too and did a workout, but it wasn’t exactly a high quality one. I think at this time of year when it’s cold/flu season, my main goal is to listen to my body and not push too hard because I really don’t want to get sick. As for favourite mid-run fuel, I’m all about the dried apricots! They’re so easy to carry and they don’t make a mess like gels do if the package doesn’t open easily.

  • Anne December 15, 2012, 3:47 pm

    I’m trying to get back in the swing of things too. My resolution is to run more since I’ve been on such a long hiatus. I love sports beans for fuel. I’ve tried Gu and chomps but love the beans.

  • Luv What You Do December 15, 2012, 4:18 pm

    Picky bars or LaraBars…although I have been making my own bars and loving them : )

  • Jeannette December 15, 2012, 4:22 pm

    When you say recipe for a serious headache, do you mean an actual headache or like “ugh I just don’t feel well?” After long runs I tend to get a bad headache. Maybe I’m not eating enough after. Hmm.

    • Caitlin December 16, 2012, 10:18 am

      no like an actual headache! also try working on your hydration and electrolyte intake – that can definitely cause headaches.

  • Kristen L December 15, 2012, 4:28 pm

    Sometimes just getting through the miles is all that matters. Plus, you know there are always good run days and not so good run days. Great job finishing your long run!

  • Claire December 15, 2012, 4:39 pm

    I did 25km (15ish miss I think?) this morning, the first half in the most crazy summer thunderstorm, fun! I only fuel on training runs of 2 hrs +. I think it’s good to teach your body to draw on its glycogen stores. I eat lolly snakes – easy to nibble on.

  • Brianna December 15, 2012, 5:01 pm

    I don’t eat for anything for training runs less than 14 miles. More than that and I *might* have one GU or Honey Stinger. Sport beans are really yummy too! Mmmm…..

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More December 15, 2012, 6:03 pm

    My long runs are starting to get to the point that I’m going to have to start thinking about mid-run fueling which is CRAZY to me! At 6 miles I haven’t felt like I need it but I do come back feeling like I need something PRONTO!

  • Deanna December 15, 2012, 6:09 pm

    Hey, did you walk any of the run? That’s phenomenal to even jog 1/4 mile to someone like me!

    • Caitlin December 15, 2012, 10:26 pm

      Oh yes! Lots of walking 🙂 its ok to walk!

      • Deanna December 16, 2012, 8:24 am

        Good to know! Do you include or exclude the walking in total time and distance?

        • Caitlin December 16, 2012, 10:16 am

          I include it 🙂

          • Deanna December 16, 2012, 1:00 pm

            Thanks. That’s a good time! 8 miles in 1 hour 20 mins WITH walking some of it. Wow!

  • Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife December 15, 2012, 6:15 pm

    I love Sports Beans & more recently Swedish fish! Congrats on getting out there…I feel like lacing up and walking outside can be the hardest part!!

  • Jen December 15, 2012, 6:41 pm

    You don’t need fancy fuel stuff. A little fruit maybe and water. Actually if your eating 3 healthy meals a day, you really don’t need the extra fuel at all. Maybe if your a hard core athlete, but it’s really over hyped. Read “Body,Mind and Sport”.

  • Nicole December 15, 2012, 6:54 pm

    I ran a group training run this morning for an 8 mile run. I just joined this group a few weeks ago and I love it. It makes my Saturday morning run more of a commitment. Sure, I could skip a week or turn around early, but I think we can agree that once the shoes are on and we are out the door, the hardest part of the run is over. As for quitting early? Well, I had an appt last week that meant I didn’t have time to complete the full distance. I ran as far as I could before turning around early. I felt like such a fraud. Like I should have a shirt that said “I’m not really this fast and I’m not quitting because I CANT do the distance. I just need to get my hair done!”

  • Nicole @ livingthesweetlifestl.wordpress.com December 15, 2012, 6:55 pm

    My favorite mid run snack is the jelly belly sports beans. They are so good.

  • Debbie December 15, 2012, 8:01 pm

    10-miler for me today! I like Strawberry Shot Bloks mid-run but I let them dissolve rather than chew. Chewing while running just seems weird to me. Sometimes I like gels but they don’t always agree with my stomach. Great job on the 8 miles!

  • Sana December 16, 2012, 12:48 am

    I always get a headache if I don’t eat properly before or after a run. It’s never fun.

  • Molly @Happy&Healthy December 16, 2012, 9:30 am

    I fell into the third week curse too! I had no choice though, I got my wisdom teeth out, but now I am worried I will lose motivation to get back at it!

  • Laura December 18, 2012, 6:39 am

    I have the exact same thing with doing well a couple of weeks and then blowing it off the next. I think that it is a natural taper thing. I read once that good training plans have taper weeks every 3-4 weeks because you cannot be pushing yourself week in week out. And I believe that this is true (or at least it is a good reason to slack off every now and then) because the funny thing is that if I just let it happen I will get back to it feeling strong and motivated the week after.

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