Today I felt like the poster child of self training!
After waking up late and rushing to get ready this morning, I rode 11.5 miles to work, worked 10.5 hours on my feet, and then rode 11.5 miles home. Once home, I changed and headed out for a 9 mile run. While I can honestly say it was an amazing run in hindsight, it was a torture test in the moment.
I headed out with plans of a three loop course. I started out easy because I knew I had a lot of distance to cover. About half a loop in (1.5 - 2 miles), I started debating whether I should cut the run down to two or just one loop. If I was going to cut it down to 1 loop, I certainly wasn't going fast enough. I finished loop one and decided I was ok to loop back around. Part way into that loop I convinced myself that I'd call it quits at two loops. As I came to the end of loop three, I threw caution to the wind and made the turn towards loop #3 instead of taking the straight away home. Part way into the final loop, I felt it. I was dehydrated. Damn my freakin' sweat rate! I actually debated where along the loop I could stop and ask for a drink of water. My best option was a parked police officer, but I held my own (good or bad, that's my independence taking over) and finished off the remaining miles. Pace = 7:28.
I hit the finish and walked straight for the lawn care crew's water hose. If they didn't want it to be used by dehydrated runners, they should have hid it! I took a few gulps of water and walked home.
Damn if I haven't earned a solid 10 hours of sleep tonight!!
** Oooooowowwwwwww!!! **
I literally JUST got the worst hamstring cramp! Ok, I guess it's time to go hydrate, eat, and stretch (if I can do all three before I pass out).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions
1. Do you train alone, with a buddy/group, or a mix thereof? Which do you find most beneficial?I find group workouts beneficial for figuring out a training schedule, but as for getting the most out of a workout, training alone is my bread and butter!
2. How to you keep hydrated while running? I need ideas.
I hate the idea of carrying a water bottle. I've done the hdyration pack, but it chafes something awful around my neck. I have a feeling a hydration belt would annoy me, but I haven't tried it.
Stay fit. Stay healthy. Stay safe.
10 comments:
Way to go on training by yourself. That can certainly be rough, but you're the man. Great run, by the way! That was fast!
I am the queen of hydration options! Really you need it for anything over an hour in summer heat. All of these are good, in different ways; Nathan is my preferred brand, as you can tell...
The full Nathan pack is fantastic for longer runs (I use it for cycling also) - surprisingly comfortable to run with.
(Not sure these are the exact models I use, but similar)
http://www.nathansports.com/our-products/hydrationnutrition/race-vests/endurance
For waist belt with small bottles, this is a good option:
http://www.nathansports.com/our-products/hydrationnutrition/racespeed-series/speed-4r
But another good option is the waist pack along these lines:
http://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-flashflo-lumbar-pack-170cu-in-cam0301
The back pack slightly chafes along my back unless I carefully BodyGlide, but I really don't notice the belt once I'm using it, either the small-bottle belt or the larger waist pack (which is slightly easier to drink out of while running). Worth figuring out what suits you - important for good-quality summer training and recovery!
I train alone, but often wish I had someone with me, especially on long rides. Good job on pushing though those 3 loops! Now get some rest. :)
Until this year I have mostly trained alone. I still pretty much run alone most of the time. It's hard to find someone else who's as slow as me and wants to get up at 4:30 am every day. I do mostly group bike rides, and now that I joined Masters Swim I swim alot more as a group then by myself. I never have issues with hydration because I don't go very far from home. I like to be within 4 miles of the house. As I start to train for my marathon and increase my distance I'm going to have to get away from this or get incredibly bored.
I also use a Nathan Hydration belt.
1. For running, I train by myself all the time. For other things, like strength-training and yoga, I have a personal trainer (the former) and take a class from an instructor (the latter).
2. Nathan makes some great hydration products. I like the sprint handheld, but knowing how much water you drink, I'd recommend something that carries more liquid.
1. When it comes to running I definitely like training by myself. I always feel out of sorts trying to match my pace (faster or slower) to someone else's. I also prefer to run by myself because it's my "me time" of the day. However, as soon as I can get a Tuesday night off from work/rehearsal I am going to join some people from the West Hartford EMS to go on their weekly group trail run because I LOVE trail running and don't get enough opportunity to do so. Also, if I can ever get a Thursday evening off from work/ rehearsal I am going to go to a Hartford Track Club practice with my neighbor to see if I like the group work out atmosphere.
When it comes to swimming I prefer to work out with someone else because a. I am used to swimming in a team environment and b. When I am by myself I get too bored to take rests and just keep swimming so speed work turns into "I just started swimming until I got tired..."
2. Hydration is such a huge issue for me now that the temperature has increased. I have tried stashing water bottles along my route which was the most effective tactic I have tried. It's a good way to get in a pre run bike ride as well. For a 16 miler I stashed water bottles along the side of the road at mile 3, 6, and 8 (my turnaround.) I have yet to find a hydration pack that doesn't bug me while I run.
I train alone for the most part - simply because it's hard to find someone who is training at the same time/pace/etc that you are. Although I did run with someone this weekend that would be awesome to train with... unfortunately we live 3 hours apart! I find I push myself harder when I'm alone too b/c I'm concentrating on the workout rather than chatting.
Hydration is a tough one for me too... Things around my waist really bug me. If I'm doing short loops, I'll place a bottle by a post/mailbox. At first it was annoying, but I've gotten used to running with a water bottle. I use the Hydroclutch GoLite Water Bottle. The handle velcros around your hand & it's not as bad as I thought it would be, but does take getting used to... In summer, it's just an unavoidable nuisance! Darn hydration!
I have recently satrted working out with a new friend @ the gym. I think I get a better workout by myself, though (I'd never tell her lol).
Hey man, nice post.
I train alone and will most likely keep doing so for a while, or at least until we move back to Barcelona where I can join the local Tri club.
Regarding the hydration during the running, have you looked at Camelbaks? I have a 2.5L Camelback I use on my 15Km runs and it is great. Usually for my 10Km and 5Km runs I go dry, but for anything over 10Km I get my Camelbak on.
http://roadtoironmandaddy.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment