Spring Training Update
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I like to work on building my base mileage in warm weather so I'll be race ready when the weather cools off again. I should hopefully have my fall marathon plans finalized soon. Regardless, I have many, many warm and humid miles ahead of me. {Heavy Sigh}
My Running Favorites
I was tagged by my friend Darlene at My First 5k and More to answer questions about my running favorites.
1) Location: Trail, Road, or Indoors?
ROAD. I do like pretty scenery at races. No treadmill for me.
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| Fantasy in Lights 10k (Callaway Gardens Website) |
2) Time of Day: Morning, Noon, or Evening?
MORNING. I am "done" both mentally and physically when I get home from work. There is not enough time to run at lunch, get the mileage I want and also clean up. I would be a stinky HoHo (HaHa).
3) Weather: Sunshine, Mild or Hot?
SUNSHINE. I've known for years that my mood, my energy, my motivation is directly effected by the amount of sunlight (or lack thereof). I prefer to race with temperatures in the 40s with no wind and low humidity.
4) Fuel: Before, After, and Sometimes During?
IT DEPENDS. On typical 4-5 mile weekday runs I only take a few sips of juice or a few bites of yogurt. Afterward, I eat my usual oatmeal with blueberries and milk. On long weekend runs, I eat breakfast 1.5-2 hours before, usually oatmeal or a bagel with cream cheese. When running double digits, I will eat a GU every 4-5 miles. My favorite post long run meal is a scrambled eggs with cheese sandwich.
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5) Accessories: Music, Watch & More?
iPOD and GARMIN. I love my Shuffle because it's so light, the size of a postage stamp, easy to clip on, and simple to change songs as needed. I've had a Garmin 110 for years. It's never failed me and I have gotten more than my money's worth out of it. I can't run without these two things.
6) Rewards: Food, Wine, or …?
COFFEE. I don't drink my beloved coffee before a race. So, that's the first thing I want when it's over -- iced in the summer, hot in the winter.
PROGRESSION. Most all of my runs are progressive, unless I'm specifically working on speed. I'm usually still asleep on my first mile anyway after rolling out of bed around 5:30. After I'm awake, I get faster as I go along with the final mile being the fastest. I think it's good to simulate that race day fast finish as much as possible.
I'm supposed to tag 7 others. If you've already been tagged, I apologize.
Tag...Your It!
Tag...Your It!
I hope those humid summer miles are rewarded with a cool fall marathon! :)
ReplyDeleteI am the same way after work - so mentally done! I am tracking all my run stats this year and out of 80+ runs, only 2 have been in the evening! LOL
Yes, that would be a great reward! You've got me beat. I have zero evening runs. LOL
DeleteCool survey! I've only done a couple of progressive runs, it's a nice challenge!
ReplyDeleteThey really help me push at the end of a race!
DeleteI'm also a morning runner and 40 degrees is perfect. I have my fingers crossed that Marathon Monday next week will be ideal running conditions, most of all no east wind to face for 26.2 miles!
ReplyDeleteI hope the weather will be wonderful! Wind is definitely a challenge.
DeleteTotally agree: if I don't run in the am, I probably won't. Life just gets in the way. And I get tired.
ReplyDeleteI've tried in years past and I just can't run after work. I do like a nice stroll with the dogs.
DeleteWe have races in the summer, but by that time, it's too hot for this runner. I like morning races, but I run after work during the week. There's a gym right on my way home and it's a good place to stop at.
ReplyDeleteThere are almost no races here from June to August. But, there are a few in surrounding towns.
DeleteWe're twins in almost all these questions! I'm super affected by the sun as well...I feel like a completely different person when it's finally sunny out. Love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's scary how much affect the lack of sunlight has on me. At least I know what the problem is.
DeleteLove this!!! It's always so much fun to learn more about my fellow run-bloggers! I am so with you on the morning running. I find that the longer I wait to run, the less likely I am to do it. Life just gets in the way as the day goes on, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for tagging me! I'll write up a post sometime in the next few weeks. =)
I've got to get it done before "life" begins every day!
DeleteWe are very similar! I'd be a road or trail runner over indoors any day of the week. I also prefer Mornings for running, it's just the best way to start the day!
ReplyDeleteWeather, if I was going to pick the perfect temp it would be about 42-45 degree's, but I actually don't mind heat as long as it's our desert heat out west:) The humidity you guys get in the south would make running in the 90's miserable, here its not so bad.
Fuel, I don't fuel before regular runs, but if it's a marathon race I will drink a water and eat a bagel.
Accessories, in a race I like to go with the less is more... But if I bring anything it is the Garmin and it's more for fun as I don't really like paying attention to it in a race.
Rewards, I like a yummy burger and a Pepsi the night after a big race:)
I never really thought about this one, but I'd have to say I am also a progression runner. I always start out slow and work my way up.
Fun questions!
I don't like to carry much in races either. I want to feel unencumbered. I don't think I'd mind the desert heat. I did one half in CO in August and it was wonderful.
DeleteI would like to start running more progression style running as well. Currently it seems I start out slow, then get faster, but then poop out and end up bringing my last two miles in under my target. You're right though, we need to be able to bring in that speed at the end of the race! I also would take all three.....coffee...food...wine = perfect recovery!
ReplyDeleteI intentionally try to make my last mile the fastest, even though the last 1/2 mile is all uphill back to my house. This morning it was 12 seconds faster than the previous mile. I'll take that!
DeleteI sadly only have one more race this season too. That's okay though because I need the rest.lol
ReplyDeleteI always say that I'll rest in the summer when nothing is going on. It's a good plan.
DeleteI hear you on the warm humid runs ahead. It's the only thing I don't like about the Marine Corps Marathon - heavy training while it's still warm in Virginia.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping when the big day arrives, it will be cool and feel "relatively easy" after all the hot weather training.
DeleteHa ha! I laughed at the stinky HoHo comment! I love reading surveys like this. I'm right with you with #1 and #2. I would like to run more progression runs. Sometimes it just happens--like you said, my first mile when I'm still sleepy is usually my slowest--but when I actually work at it, it just feels so good finishing my last mile strong!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the progression. The last 1/2 mile back to my house is up hill. So there is always a challenge to make that last mile the fastest, because it's also the toughest. I took 12 seconds off from the previous mile this morning. Score!
DeleteI chose that Garmin because the face was large enough to see. I think it was also on sale. Ha! My phone is heavy and it's hard to change songs or adjust volume, both of which I like to do, especially with cold or gloved hands. And I don't like sticking to a predetermined playlist.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool, also interesting how different we all are. I'm a morning person too, although I will take intervals over tempo or progression any day.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another.
DeleteI've already got a post in the hopper for tomorrow, so I'll respond to this one on Thursday! It's fun to see how everyone thinks!
ReplyDelete