On regular days, I try to eat quinoa, a green smoothie and coffee for breakfast. And if it doesn’t get me through the morning, I’ll have another green smoothie within a couple hours.
On early morning training days, I can barely function without coffee. Mainly, it’s because I go to bed too late and get up too early. This morning I whipped up a green smoothie and ate a banana and a handful of walnuts before I met Karen and the others. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot of food to sustain a three hour run. (Usually it is not.)
But this morning my stomach didn’t growl until we hit the 3-hour mark. Success. Deep down I know I am not doing my body any favours by skimping on the eats. I do so well with my water intake and post-run fuelling. Have to make this a priority.
Anyway… I met Karen and her group at the Running Room. They were scheduled to run 29 kms. I told them I was planning to run 3 hours. We’d probably work out running the same time and distance. I’m not so caught up on the mileage anymore. Right now I am thinking about time on my feet. I think this is the best way to train. Lori said this is a smart way to train.
There was six of us to start. Three people dropped off and in the end, Karen, Mark and I (see picture) ran the full three hours. Lori ran with us for a couple hours before she ran home to pick up her bike.
We ran a really nice route through several trail systems and a few subdivisions. We even ran by Karen’s plot for her new house. It was +23C when we finished. I’m so glad I wore my shirt and a tank top. I didn’t apply enough bodyglide on my shoulders. Now I have lots of chaffing where my camelbak was rubbing. Ouch.
Our pace was between 5:30 and 6:30. We ran too fast for most of the first 2 hours. I think it was the beautiful weather and the company that made us quicken our pace. What is it I always hear? One mistake marathoners make in their training is running the LSD run too fast. Oops.
We passed dozens of other runners. What a way to mark Earth Day!
I didn’t get a chance to ice my legs until the late afternoon. I went out with Lori for a pre-birthday drink. She celebrates her 38th on Monday. My legs feel pretty good. And I feel pretty good about the distance now. Next Sunday I’m running the 10 km race in Calgary. So excited to test myself!