Pre-Long Run Fuel

What do you eat the day before your long run? I am running my long run(20) today because the rest of my week is pretty busy. So yesterday I tried to eat good.  I try to eat good everyday but I pay even more attention if I am running long the next day.

Starting off with my breakfast of oatmeal, chia seeds, almond butter, banana and cinnamon.

For lunch I had sushi but forgot to take a photo.  I had 3 pieces of salmon sushi with brown rice and a tuna avocado roll with brown rice.  I am not gonna lie, I was still hungry after this so on my way back to the train I went past this soft serve fruit place.  I had the frozen banana with peanut butter, pretzels and chocolate chips on top.  It is delish! 

For dinner I made a new recipe from my new cookbook THE FEED ZONE.  I made the chicken fried rice which apparently is Lance Armstrong's favorite post workout meal.  It was way good and super easy.

And that's it!  ......... no I ate more :)  I had grahams and milk followed by frosted flakes in my cup of leftover milk.  I always need a sweet treat after dinner.


So we will see how it goes. I am off to do 20.

What do you eat before a long run?  Anything special or just play it casual and eat the usu?

XX

Sarah

Counting Down!

It may be a little early to start counting down until the NYC marathon BUT it is what I have to do to get me through the rest of my track workouts!  Yes, I am tired of going to the track once a week and doing speed work.  It is true that it is helping tremendously but that doesn't mean I have changed my feelings about speed.  Only 6 more times do I have to go to the track  :)  I don't mind my tempos as much, it is the track that I dread.

This Monday I had to do 3(2 x 1200m) with 2 min RI and 4 min between sets.  The 1200s in 5:10, which I did.  I actually always came under between 5:02-5:08 but once again I did my own RI of 200m(walk/jog) and 1x 400m after 3 1200s.  I am just glad that I am done for the week.

I find if I don't get up and do my track workouts on Mondays it throws off the rest of my week.  Plus I like to have a 2 day recovery from running before my long run.  I feel a difference in how tired my legs are.

This was me at breakfast after my 20 miler last Saturday.  Can you tell I look tired and worn out. 

This was my dinner last night.  I know, a lot of broccoli but really this dinner was for me and Scott but then he had to work late and I didn't want it to go to waste.  Yes, I ate it all :) 

Grilled Teriyaki chicken breast with a slice of provolone cheese on top.
Steamed Broccoli.

I am running my tempo run tomorrow, 11 miles with 1 warm up and 10 @ 8:00-8:23 pace.  Once again I am tweaking my plan.  Now I am going to try and do my tempo runs in between the 3:30 and 3:40 training plan.  Because my speed and endurance have improved I am able to challenge myself a little more with tempos.  

So I had to share this last!  The other day while I was running errands in the city I walked past The Soft Serve Fruit Company.  Ok this is the best thing EVER!  No dairy and gluten free!  It is frozen fruit whipped into a frozen soft served treat.  I got the banana with peanut butter, chocolate chips and pretzels.  It was SO GOOD!!!  Because the frozen fruit is just fruit and not yogurt it doesn't have an artificial taste. Banana always seems to taste the most artificial to me when it is not real.  This is why this place was so good!  Everything is REAL!

 

When do you guys start counting down?  Is 6 weeks too early?

Honestly I am enjoying the training it is just the track that is so tough. 

I also want to say that I know some of you out there are doing the plan as well.  Don't give up!  It is hard but you can do it!  If you are really struggling try skipping one of the training days and start fresh the next.  Think of the bigger picture at the end.  This plan really does make you a stronger runner and gives you the determination and drive to cross the finish line with success!


XX
Sarah