We have been busy. The Goofy was great. Except...Sarah and I did get sick... we think it is from the water at the drink stations. Not completely sure, but we were feeling great, and then after two days of stopping at each drink stop and guzzling down our fair share we both ended up with some major stomach issues. I suppose it could be the fact that we ran 39.3 Miles in two days but.. ya never know. We took those races easy and had a blast, we stopped and took pics with sooo many characters. Along with the water stops, and bathroom stops.... we think it was the water.
Here is Sarah and I at some point during the 1/2. Yes it was dark. Disney is the only place I know that starts a race at 5:30am on the button. But, regardless of the early hour, they make it very magical. Fireworks, Characters, pixie dust...Disney does it best.
This was us at the end of the Marathon. We brought our 1/2 marathon medal in our bags with us that day because there was no way we were running 39.3 miles and not getting credit it for it. We brought home 3 blinging medals that trip =) Shortly after this pic I started eating a protein bar... and my day went downhill from there. By the end of the day I made a trip to the ER because I could not keep a single thing down. BOO.
Aside from that we have been in winter recovery mode. I was feeling alright after I got over the Disney experience but then ran into a nasty flu that lasted 2 weeks. It was horrible.
But now the sun is out, the snow is gone (hopefully for good) and I am back to running and training for my next marathon. I have chosen the Colfax marathon here in Denver. It isn't going to be a super easy marathon, but my plan is to just attempt to not give up! During that goofy I learned a lot about myself as a runner. When running the 1/2, I wanted to give up between miles 8-11, but then I was good. During the marathon I wanted to give up between miles 15-20 and then I was fine. There are always times during whatever race that I always want to give up, but I always thought it was because I was running a much faster pace. My new theory is that regardless of pace I will want to give up during those miles. So if I can figure out how to overcome that mental block, I will be real happy =)
Also, I have tried to eat more real food while running. Looking at GU lately makes me irritated.
Check out this new amazing cookbook, The Feed Zone Cookbook. I stumbled upon it and had to try it. I suggest you do the same, give it a whirl and tell me what you think. I have tried the Chocolate Peanut Coconut Rice cakes and it was a success! During my 18 miler last week I had 2 "blocks" of this and never once did I want to bonk. I also noticed that my recovery was easy peasy.
Sorry it is backwards, but the cover was so pretty I wanted you to see a pic. Totally buy this book for its cover. I think it will be worth it ;) Oh, and p.s. I did not get this book for free. I bought it with my hard earned cash.
Who is running what this year?
What is your favorite marathon? -Mine used to be Disney....and although it is still very magical it has been tainted. Time to find a new favorite.
Do any of you have any good portable running food recipes?
Here is to Spring and Happy Running!!
-Jen
Jen! I had no idea you were so sick after your race. That stinks!!! Thanks for the book review. I need to try some homemade stuff. The sugar from the bloks is no bueno.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely for me I mentally get stuck in races at the point of mileage I've trained for. So for a marathon I usually want to quit around 20-22 because that's as far as I've run by marathon day. For a half marathon, I always train for at least 15 but after mile 9 I always panic that I won't be able to hold the pace.
Favorite race: Horsetooth Half in Fort Collins. Grueling hills pay off with plated meal and live band at the finish party.
Least favorite: Steamboat marathon. Aid stations are every THREE miles if you're lucky. BARFORAMA