Runner's support and Accountability

@eeyorepoohfan @nascfan Thank you pals!

@starbee Yep! Just fill up your water each day and put it in your fridge! Super easy that way! I start with Tailwind in my bottle from the start of the race. I have issues with my hands due to an auto immune issue. There’s not way I want to fumble with packaging late in a race when my hands are usually super swollen and non-functioning. But I honestly prefer sipping on Tailwind from the start to help keep muscle cramps down and such. They do have water stations in the runner area before you enter corrals, so if you feel you want to just sip some water you can do that! I always feel it’s easier on my body to preemptively start my electrolytes and nutrition on my runs. So I even start eating my Stinger Chews within 3-4 miles of starting the race. Once your body starts to get depleted, it’s really hard to catch up and balance out. So my method is one Stinger Chew before each water station starting at the 2nd or 3rd water station. The reason I do this is so I can put it in my mouth and have it chewed completely before getting to the water (which are in white cups much farther down than the blue cups with Powerade). This allows me to swish my mouth out and spit a few times to get the sticky out of my teeth. Then I swallow a few sips before chucking my cup. I’m a sipper on liquids! Due to a septum issue, I mouth breathe and start sipping water from the start of the race.

After an unintended week off from running last week, I got back out there again last night. It was 33* which is the coldest temperature I’ve run in for about 10 or 11 months so that was hard and I did not want to go out! I ran by myself because I think it was a little too chilly for Leia and I stayed in the neighborhood. The first mile was rough on my lungs that aren’t used to the cold any more. The air hurt a little and I was coughing a lot so had to break my ratios a few times to catch my breath after coughing so much. Even after I got done I was coughing all night. By mile 2 I felt warmer and my lungs figured it out. But, the cold helped overall I guess because I paced pretty well. I have to move fast out of necessity!

Time: 42:57
Distance: 4.00 miles
Pace: 10’43”

And my last mile was my fastest my next run is planned for tomorrow and hopefully it should be a little warmer!

That liquid cheese and chips! Yummy! Those are the bomb after a race!

Great job @starbee! You did super in the cold! I hope it’s warmer for the races but no guarantees so getting out there in those temps is good. I’m proud of you! Hope it’s good weather tomorrow!

@starbee I’m hoping for temps somewhere in the upper 40s for you guys at the starts of the races. I think those would be ideal and wouldn’t get too hot before you finish your Half and Marathon. But boy oh boy, they can run the gamut for sure! I *think* they have bottles, as many as you want, trying to remember. Yeah, I think so.
Oh! Slip a folded up plastic grocery bag somewhere on your body, tucked into your running belt or something. Makes it SO much easier to carry the stuff after the race! Heather taught us that trick before our first! Such a life saver! You can load up on Powerade bottles too, as many as you can handle!

@starbee Yes! They have full water bottles (take as many as you need) and bottles of Powerade after the finish! So just dump your recovery drink in there! That’s what I do! Grab an extra bottle to sip plain water too. When I finish a race, sometimes I just want plain water! And yes, take a plastic grocery bag on you somewhere! It is a lifesaver at the finish! You will be juggling water bottle, possibly Powerade bottle, banana and a snack box! So that bag really helps! Especially since you get all those things before you get to the photo spot for your finisher pic with your medal! I’m really praying it’s perfect weather for all races!

I ran again last night and it was warmer at 49* but windy so it felt a little cooler. I took Leia since it was warm enough for her to come too and she hadn’t been out in a while. We ran around the neighborhood. Can I just say again how much I hate running in the dark! We got to the entrance of our neighborhood and needed to cross the street. We stopped, looked in all directions, it was clear, so we started WALKING across the street. I was wearing a headlamp with a reflective belt, and Leia had a reflective harness on. Some older guy almost ploughed into us when we made it halfway across he had his window down so I yelled at him but he had absolutely no concern for our safety. Don’t tell me you didn’t see me when I WAS CROSSING BEFORE YOU GOT THERE and I WAS WEARING REFLECTIVE GEAR AND LIGHTS!!!! I was so mad and Leia was spooked after that but the only way home was to finish the run. I paced a little slower tonight thanks to that and Leia’s potty breaks but that’s okay.

Time: 44:00
Distance: 4.00 miles
Pace: 11’00”

If I survive running at night – only 15 more runs until Dopey!