This week was all about getting my schedule sorted out- not running that race last weekend really threw everything off. I spent the first half of the week making sure I was rehydrated and recovered from the stomach virus so I could run long on Wednesday, and the second half of the week recovering from that long run. It was definitely nice to be able to eat and drink again and otherwise enjoy life! Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Let’s get started…
Sunday
I did a cautious 2 mile run and felt fine, although I had eaten very little for the past two days. The rest of the day was spent drinking water, LMNT, and reassuring my stomach that it was okay to eat again.
Monday
4 mile run! Things are feeling pretty good.
Tuesday
Upper body day at the gym. Bench press, seated cable rows, lat pulldown, triceps and abs. I had a flashback to many years ago when I worked with a trainer; he always wanted me to focus on triceps and abs. Hmmm, what are you trying to say??? Sigh.
Wednesday
On the plan: 20 mile run.
Is there an antonym for “ideal?” I need that word. This run was not originally on my schedule, but since I didn’t run the half on Sunday I switched everything around to make this day my long run. I planned to hit the trail after dropping my daughter off at 8:00.
School starts at 9:30, but my daughter has jazz band every Wednesday at 8 am. Every Wednesday, of course, except for this one. We got an email on Tuesday night that jazz band was canceled for today. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I just couldn’t start a 20 mile run at 9:30 am, on a day where it was going to get into the upper 80s. Now, I know. Somehow I’ve lost my mind and signed up for a 50K trail race in April, and it’s going to be hot AF. I KNOW. But I just couldn’t do that to myself today. Plus, I did have a couple other things that needed to get done, such as grocery shopping, and I just felt that I couldn’t start that late. So I switched to Plan B.
Plan B was, get in 6 miles on the roads while my daughter ate breakfast and got ready, then take her to school and continue on to the trail where I would run 14 miles. Again, not ideal, but it seemed to be my best bet for today.
The first 6 miles went well, and the timing was perfect. I got home just in time to get my daughter into the car and go straight to school. Everything went smoothly, and I was on the trail by 9:30, ready for the rest of my run.
The trail that I’ve been loving lately is too far away, so I went to my nearby trail, which is okay… but there’s no shade. It was already hot, so I stuffed my sports bra with ice and started off.
Other than the fact that my legs were saying “What in the WORLD are you doing? I thought we were done for the day!” I felt pretty good. I had my cooler set up in the car, and planned to circle back in the middle of the run to replenish my supplies. The only problem was, I ended up running 8 miles in this segment and somewhere in there the wheels started to come off.
Did I mention there’s no shade on this trail? I could feel the sun beating down on me, and I had only brought a bottle of LMNT on this leg- which tasted great when it was ice cold, but became nauseating when it was warm. That also meant that I had nothing to pour over my head to cool myself down.
I was at a pretty low point when I got back to my car, but told myself I only had 6 miles left! I got more ice and switched out the warm LMNT for ICY COLD WATER, and started again.
Except I really wasn’t feeling it. I took a caffeinated gel at mile 15, and told myself to give it one more mile before making any rash decisions. But at 16.5 miles, I turned back, and I knew that would get me back to my car at 18.5. Well, it wasn’t what I wanted, but it’s still farther (by half a mile) than my last long run, and maybe I learned some valuable lessons.
When I got to mile 18, I knew I would be back at the car soon. But then I realized- I’ll be back at the car, which has my cooler with ice and another cold water bottle. If I stopped briefly, got new water and ice, could I continue on (at my now glacially slow pace) for another 1.5 miles? The answer, of course, was yes. The answer to that question is almost always yes.
I stopped at the car as quickly as possible (let’s not draw this out any longer than we need to!) and put more ice in my bra, got an icy cold bottle of water, and set off again. You guys, it was not pretty, but I did it- 20 miles for the day.
If I were training for a fast road marathon (ha! pretty sure those days are over for good) this run would have been a disappointment. But for what I’m training for, I’m considering it a success. There will be times during my 50K where I don’t feel good and want to stop, and I’ll have to figure out a way to keep moving forward. So this run was not fun, but it was perfect for what I need right now.
Thursday
After my harrowing experience on the trail, I was pretty sore and decided to give myself a break. Instead of going to the gym for the stair climber, I opted for a nice walk instead (shut up, David Goggins!). This walk felt soooo good. I also did some core work when I got home.
Friday
a 4 mile run on sore legs. It was hard to get started, but the last two miles felt pretty good.
Saturday
Normally a day off, but I got out for another walk. Crazy- after my long run two weeks ago I wasn’t sore at all, but I was still sore three days later after this one. I knew I had leg day coming up so I was hoping to flush out those sore muscles. I just walked for two miles but it felt great.
Sunday
On tap for today- leg day at the gym! I feel like I’m finally back to a normal schedule- hooray.
What’s the hardest long run you’ve ever had? – I’m sure I’ve had other ones, but right now it’s hard to top this one.
Would you rather be too hot or too cold on a run? – I actually can’t really remember what it feels like to run in extreme cold! I’m not sure I’d like that either.
47 Responses
I could just feel your distress on that long run. Been there, done that and no thank you. Kudos to you for finishing. Yes, I would have done the same thing with that last 1.5 miles. I think it’s those really hard runs that make us dig deep and give us that mental toughness for race day! Nicely done!
Thank you Wendy! Yes, when I’m suffering during the race I can think “but remember that 20 mile long run…?”
Wow, Jenny – talk about determination! Good for you for pushing through that awful run and for finding a way to apply the experience to your 50k.
I hate being hot so I think I would prefer running in the cold.
Thank you Suzanne! I think most people would agree with you- running in the heat is so hard.
20 miles is tough in any weather. I guess I’d rather be too cold.
Hopefully you’ll be hearing be whine next October.
I have a feeling once you’re running again, you’ll be so happy you won’t care what the weather is like!
You’re so right.
I can’t imagine running that long in the Florida heat and humidity. Long runs are tough on your own to begin with! Do you have any groups you could run with for a weekend long run? Way to push through and get those miles in!
I haven’t looked into running groups, but I can tell you I rarely see other people on the trail! I’m guessing there are people doing group long runs but it’s on the road. That’s okay- I have my podcasts to keep me company.
Girl, you are so determined. I am so impressed that you kept going when you could have thrown in the towel! It’s tough because you basically don’t get any periods of cool weather anymore! I would think it would be reasonably cooler at this time of year but nope. So that is not helping!!
I had some really awful training runs when I ran my first marathon. I always did my runs on the same path because it was a really long out and back trail so I could do any distance – plus it was a quieter trail along a creek/by lakes. I parked by a park (that I now go to with my kids all the time). There were several runs where I would get back and kind of lay in the fetal position on the ground. Ha. I am sure the families that were going to the car were like – what is wrong with this lady! I had some runs like that when I would run at my parents’ lake home and my dad was like – why are you doing this to yourself??? After my first 2 marathons, I joined a running group and had a much much much better training experience! It made a difference to have company on the long runs and to run different routes!
I haven’t worked out in over a week since I have been fighting a cold but I am going for a short run this morning. It’s only 3F out right now so it will be cold but oh well. Gotta get back on track!
Yes, when I think back to some of my old long runs I wonder how I even did that- boring routes and not enough fuel or water.
Sorry to hear you’re not feeling great- I hope you get out for that run and are able to enjoy it!
Team Cold for sure! No it’s not pleasant when the air is icy and your lungs feel dry but I’ll take it over the dizzy disorientation that I could always count on getting in the heat. But still – you got it done! I think you should get extra credit for having to split the run into two parts.
I swear by simple easy walks for doing the body a world of good. One of the perks of having a dog is that I get lots of them
Yes, I think I should be taking more walks! Maybe I need to get a dog.
I cannot stand being too hot. I know how to dress for that running, but am still figuring it out on the bike (how cold is too cold for those first few miles?).
I might call your long run a “character-building” run, because you talked yourself through so many reasons to quit. You definitely made the right decision skipping the stairclimber on Thursday! You need those recovery days!
Yes, I agree- the bike is much harder to dress for. Starting off too cold on a run is fine (you know you’ll warm up) but the bike can be tricky, especially if it’s windy. I haven’t ridden outside in a LONG time but I remember those dilemmas.
Nice job gritting it out for that long run! You’re right, the big race will require all kinds of mental stamina, so this was great training! You probably know my answer—-I’d gladly be too hot than too cold 🙂
Yes, and you might be in the minority there. I know you like the heat!
Kudos to you for getting those last 1.5 miles in to make it to 20 for the day. It would have been okay if you hadn’t, but mentally that was huge!
Yes, you’re right- it was really important mentally to finish that run.
Great job getting it done! It may not have been pretty, or even close to ideal, but you did it! Amazing!
Thank you Nicole!
What a long run and in the heat! You’re so right about how that builds mental strength for what your April race conditions will be like. I’m still easing back into running (so no expert), but I think I’d rather be too cold – heat ruins me!
Yeah, the heat is hard. It never used to bother me too much but now as I get older, I can’t handle it like I used to.
Wowee, that’s some resilience right there – well done!
I have two terrible long runs: an 18 I think where I thought I was going to throw up or have diarrhoea the whole way (I didn’t) and had to just run up and down the bus route in case. And a 23 that wasn’t, when I had to go out after lunch on a weekday, never digested my lunch, nothing I took in therefore got into my blood or muscles, had to use the loo at my friend’s house, sat on a wall and cried and went on the marathon whatsapp to say HELP, my friend Bernice was meeting me anyway and came and found me, all the boys in the group were like we’ll come and get you in our cars but Bernice said no she can do it. Ran to club run, ran some of club run, felt GOOD for mile 20 then got cramp and just went home with 22 done. Fun times!
Wow, that’s quite a story! It truly does sound terrible, but then you ran 22 miles. Just goes to show, our bodies are capable of more than we think.
You showed a whole lot of grit on that 20 miler! I rarely bale on a run, but man, I can’t imagine doing it that late in the day in that heat. Heat can be my nemesis (but not always). Yes, I prefer the cold! Great job!
My longest race (and run) ever was just a tad over 18 miles. Of course it was one of our most humid Summers ever . . . I usually started at around 6:30 am for those long training runs. So again, Kudos to you!
Heck, right now 2 miles still feels kinda hard . . .
Thank you Judy! Yes, if I did my long runs on Sundays I could start super early (not on the trail though, in the dark) and be more comfortable. But my race won’t be in the dark so I figure I better figure out how to deal with the heat.
It’s funny how our bodies adjust. After having Covid (a little over a year ago) two miles felt hard to me too!
I’m so impressed with how quickly your body threw off that GI bug. It seems like you weren’t sick very long – your immune system is really going all out for you!
I’m also REALLY impressed with your grit at finishing that long run. Your mental game is spot on and I am so excited to see how you rock this 50K!
That stomach bug was intense, but luckily short-lived. I actually think the sicker you are, the quicker you get over it- my body did a GREAT job of getting that virus out! I’ll leave the details to your imagination.
You are such a trooper for getting out there on a trail with no shade! Dang!! My answer to heat is always get up earlier, so I would probably be out there at 4am running just to avoid the heat. But running in the dark certainly limits where I would be running, which means I would be looping around my neighborhood! I agree – given the race you are targeting, it’s all good. Heck, just getting time on your feet is good prep for any marathon. Glad you were able to get that long run in after the stomach bug. That’s exhausting!
Yes, really the thing to do would start any long run in the dark. But then I wouldn’t be on the trail. Also, my race starts at 7 am and I’ll be out there for… a while. I might as well get used to it.
I’m glad to hear you’re recovered and back training again. Well done getting that long run done, no matter what! I love that attitude. That trail really looks hot and dry and I imagine it must be tough to keep hydrated and not overheat. I’ve never run in very hot weather since I started in late September. Plus what I mean with “very hot” probably doesn’t ever happen here. I might give it a try in Italy! I can imagine for wellbeing it’s easier to run in very cold weather once you have the right clothing. At least you don’t need to worry about getting dehydrated or overheated.
I’ve lived in Florida for over 20 years and I feel like I’m still learning how to run in the heat! Part of it is being acclimated, part is wearing the appropriate clothing and then the other part, which I’m still figuring out, is how to keep cool with ice and cold water.
I’d call 20 miles at any pace in those conditions a massive WIN! It takes incredible mental strength to keep plugging away when it’s hot like that AND the sun is beating down on you. This was a confidence building run that will serve you well on race day. Your description bring back memories of my first marathon back in 2007. It was 93 degrees and I had ice stuffed under my hat and in my bra. I said I’d never run another one. Ha!
I’m thinking of getting an ice hat! They make them with pockets for ice.
I’m glad that first experience didn’t make you want to quit running- it sounds brutal.
The weather has been oddly warm here – last week there was one day where it was in the 80s and two days later we had snow flurries. I tried to go for a run on the day when it was in the 80s, and I made it ten minutes before I just gave up and came home. I was not prepared for it to be that warm. I think all things considered, I’d rather run when it’s in the 40s/mid 30s than when it’s in the 80s. As long as there isn’t one of those bitterly cold winds.
I’m so fascinated and impressed by your strategies for running in hot weather. I might need to learn from you – if it’s 80s here in the DC region in February, I’m sort of dreading how hot and humid our summer is going to be this year, but I don’t want to stop running. Do you literally put ice directly in your bra?
I put it directly in my bra! But I’m also considering getting an “ice hat” which is a cap with little pockets to put ice cubes. I’ll definitely let you know how that works out.
amazing run after being sick. 20 miles is long for anyday, especially after being sick, and under the sun. I really dont do well with sun on my head. I can deal with temperature now after living in a tropical country for almost 6 years, but still can’t run under the sun.
I prefer cooler weather for run but not freezing cold. and my hardest run? probably one 20 miles run in Manila under the sun. I felt I was dying out of dehydration that day. Now that I drink LMNT, I feel much better. Life saver, and yes, doesn’t taste right when warm.
I agree- LMNT during a hot run makes a HUGE difference! But it needs to be cold- lesson learned.
Way to dig deep and get in that time on feet – even if it was a “glacially slow pace” (which is all relative) you stuck with it and got it done, which will help so much with your 50k. Way to go Jenny!
Thank you Jessie! Yes, as unpleasant as it was I really think this run will help me in my race.
Ugh what a bummer about your stomach virus and it still impacting you. We had one of those go through our house lately – luckily I never got sick, but I did get less sleep than usual with my husband being up all night, then some of the kiddos/having to deal with their sickness. I felt so bad about you having to miss your race!
Yeah, that was really horrible timing! Stomach viruses are the worst.
Wow Jenny huge kudos to you for sticking it out for the 20 miles – especially in the heat! That’s a huge mental win in my book. I’d always take running in the cold vs. heat.
Yes, I think most people are voting for cold! Heat is hard.
Yay for 20! But no way would I have attempted any kind of run without shade this week. I had a mostly shadeless race on Saturday that started at 8:30 and almost threw up. No bueno.
I hope your schedule gets sorted out soon.
I’m trying all different things to cope with the heat! It’s either that or move, and I can’t move right now.