21 Days into the Train Like a Mother: Finish It Half-Marathon Plan for Adrienne Martini, who will definitely finish the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon, her first.
Lousy runs make for great columns—and the knowledge that “this really will be funny later” is one of my main motivators. Decent runs make for lackluster posts. Week 3, you’ll soon discover, was full of decent runs. (But no need to stop reading!)
I don’t always harsh on the treadmill. It’s great for days that call for an easy three miles plus strides. Ditto an interval Thursday, where there’s a 10 minute warm-up, some speed, and a cool-down. It’s those long runs where the ‘mill and I start to loathe each other.
Actually, I can’t speak for the ‘mill. It seems largely indifferent to my hatred. Why won’t you pay attention to my needs, treadmill? Why?
One of the harder parts of the TLAM Half-Marathon Finish It plan has been the Tuesday longish runs. They range between 5 and 7 miles, depending on how strenuous the weekend’s long run was. The challenge isn’t the runs themselves—although there have been a few not-so-easy moments—but squeezing them in to an already packed work week. Like Week 3, where I had to get up extra early on Tuesday to drop kid #1 off at middle school because it is unreasonable to ask her to walk the half-mile when it’s -8 outside. We believe in the power of walking to and from school, but not in the inconvenience of being frozen to the sidewalk.
By the time I fussed around with her and got myself to the indoor track, I had exactly an hour and 15 minutes to run 6 miles because I had a dentist appointment at 9:30 and a class to teach at 11:30. It became a morning about numbers, really. I run 12-13 minute miles, which means the 75 minutes I had to run six miles in should be enough.
But I had to fart around with my shoes for a few minutes because my fingers were too frozen to tie the laces. And because I’d gotten up early, my brain wasn’t awake enough to count laps. Instead, I just set the timer on my iPod and took off. Was it exactly six miles? Who knows?
(I bet the treadmill knows. Jerk.)
For part of that 75 minutes, I shared the track with eight members of our college’s men’s track team. I discovered I could hang with them if I pushed as hard as I could. Then they finished their warm-ups and took off like startled gazelles.
On Saturday, I tackled what I’ve been calling my Eminem run: 8 miles. It’s farther than I’d ever run before. I spent the early part of the morning in a state of near panic, wondering what on earth I’d been thinking with this whole 13.1 thing. Then I put my shoes on and went.
The first five miles were great and easy, for relative definitions of “easy.” Miles 5.5 through 7 were a struggle, not physically but mentally. It seemed like I’d already been at this for so long and had so long to go. I’d go hours without looking at Herr Garmin only to discover a couple of minutes had passed. It was like that statistics class I had to take in high school, only the run might prove to be more useful in the long (pun intended) run.
Which isn’t to say that statistics class wasn’t useful for some. I’m sure there is a series of equations I could have been using to analyze why the late-middle bit of an extra long run feels so extra, extra long.
I made my eight, though, and learned a few things:
1) I need a second Gu or Chomp or something at mile 7.
2) The treads of my shoes look a lot like Nutter Butters.
3) When I add another mile to the long run my GI system revolts.
(TMI alert: sometimes after a long run and always after a longest-for-me run, I spend a good chunk of private time in the bathroom wondering if my lower intestine could actually explode. I don’t think any specific type of Gu or Chomp that triggers it or related to what I have or haven’t eaten for breakfast, mostly because I’m not terribly consistent with any of that. Anyone have any advice? Please don’t tell me the work-around involves bananas, which are one of the few fruits I loathe.)
Tummy aside, I felt good, if tired, after my run. My step was without much pep for the rest of Saturday and most of Sunday, granted, but I felt OK. On Monday, however, I woke up feeling like I’d been beaten with a sock full of nickels. Maybe I was just dreading my return to the weekly grind? Or maybe the cats were protesting the diet kibble?
It’s as much of a mystery to me, too.
PS: Because I’m such a joiner, I’m now on Strava. I’m still trying to figure out how it works but, please, friend me if you’d like!
You are doing great. I can no longer tolerate Gus or Chomps I rely on an energy bar that’s not based on sugar. It’s called a Warrior Bar. The main ingredient chia seeds. Those magic seeds will give you energy for a longer period of time and prevent sugar crash. They are small enough to carry on the run. The best flavors are the coconut or berry. You can get them at WholeFoods or Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008MIGHFE
Long runs where I am going to push speed or race days, my guts always “explode at the end!” I have taken to having two chalky pepto bismol tabs before I start. It calms my gut and keeps me from having to wander into near empty stores clutching my gut, begging to use the bathroom, despite the “no public bathroom” signs.
I know what you are talking about after a long run…I don’t think it was anything I ate, because if would be fine during the run, but the rest of the day I would be off. I think just the toll running that long puts on your body (when you are not used to it) messes up your system a little bit. I did find that it didn’t happen as much after I had been running for a while; I think your body just starts to adapt. Not very scientific, but just my two cents. If you don’t like bananas, maybe rice would help?
I found that the only thing my stomach can handle is “normal-type” food like Stinger Waffles or Lara bars. Try a long run without the weird sugars (like Gus and Chomps). I think it also has to do with hydration, salts.
Keep experimenting and I think you’ll find the answer to keeping your stomach happy. Mine used to bother me alot and now I’ve learned the best routine. (always best to empty out before starting the run, too)
Rock on & Congratulations on hitting 8 miles!!!!! Keep up the great work. This post had me laughing. I know you don’t want to hear this but I always eat a banana every morning befor my run. It really works. On my long runs I have tried eggs or pop 1 or 2 hard boiled egg whites only. Seems to give me the fuel to keep on trucking. I also always use nunn on long runs thanks to run like a mother! Love that stuff! Happy training….you got this!
Way to go! If your GI system is not taking to GU well, try something else. I have to be honest and say I can only tolerate PB GU. I cannot do other flavors. I am more a Clif Shots girl and only 2-3 flavors of that. I also work on trying to eat real food when I run. I buy applesauce in a squeeze container made for little kids. Just a suggestion.
My son roomed with those track kids. If you kept up with them, you are really moving – even on their warmup. Trust me, I know.
I loved this! I had the same struggle with the longer mid-week runs in this plan, I was physically able, but couldn’t seem to find the time to do them during the week. As for the GI issues, I increased my sodium intake in general, and added Nuun to my pre, during, and post run routine, it seemed to help a lot. I’ve never been one to salt my food or cook with much salt, but even upping it a bit seemed to help, I’m sure I read the tip somewhere after trying all the other usual tips. However, i find if i don’t run regularly now, nothing else is regular either :)
Imodium was my marathon lifesaver. I ran many half marathons and would spend hours in the bathroom after. I ran a full in the fall and had no problems during or after because I took Imodium!
Congrats on running further than you ever have before !
I had the same TMI problems when I started training for my first half. I was eating yogurt, nuts and fruit for breakfast prior to my run. I switched out the dairy for oatmeal and haven’t had the same problems since.
I would suggest only switching one thing at a time so you can more easily determine what’s troubling you.
I have the same TMI issues when I train for marathons. Immodium has been a life-saver. At around mile 5 I pop one Immodium along with a Stinger and some water. I still have to really “go” after the run, but it’s not near as explosive.
I’m the same way with Gu. Every time I use one, do matter the distance, the results are *ahem* explosive. I seem to tolerate the bars a bit better. I’ve read over and over that your system gets used to the running and adapts. Mine seems to be a slow adaptor. I’ve been a regular runner for years and my GI system is anything but regular after I run. :/
I suggest switching to Honey Stinger chews to see if that helps w your tummy troubles. They are a little pricey, but I’ve found that for longer runs I can rotate between the Honey Stingers and GU and be ok. (Also, avoid caffeine in your fuel. At least until you can nail down the culprit!)
Lastly, if you’re currently drinking Nuun or some other sports drink, try going with plain water. I love Nuun, but I’ve heard of a few who’s stomaches can’t handle it.
Congrats on finishing 8 miles! That’s the hardest number for me – 8 – and I’m not sure why. At first, I thought it was because I had a beer the night before but I have since run 8 a few other times (without imbibing the night before) and it’s STILL a struggle. 7? OK. 9? I’d rather do 7, but no worries. At this point I think 8 miles is just a mental barrier for me. Kinda like once I hit less than 6 minutes left on a run I feel like I WILL make it.
And sometimes those college guys can make us work just a bit harder than we would if they weren’t around…I once told myself I could walk after I crested a big hill…and then I got there and there were a bunch of young men on bikes on their way UP. Sigh. I kept running…
I used to have a lot of stomach issues. I’ve tried GU, GU chomps, sports beans. My stomach could not handle it. I tried switching to the ‘go go’ brand all natural applesauces that come in those handy little pouches. No more problems! I love them! Gives me the perfect boost.
I’m a week behind you on the TLAM Finish It Half plan! I did my 8 today. You might have gotten dehydrated. I have noticed that if I don’t drink enough water the day before my long run, my GI track has more issues. I also can’t use anything with fake sugar in it. I have really good luck with the Honey Stinger waffles and energy chews. Good luck!!
I second the suggestion to try Honey Stinger Energy Chews. They have been a life-saver on my long runs and taste great to boot! BTW, I saw Mr. Peanut in that first pic, but will now be dreaming of Nutter Butters all day. Did I mention I’m smack dab in the middle of a diet challenge? Thanks A LOT.
Those six-mile weekday runs made me drop the TLAM plans. There is no equation that solves for a six-mile weekday run for this full-time working mom who also takes over an hour to run that distance. Le sigh.
Love this! I run at an indoor track as well and have often likened the young track team to gazelles! I too suffer from GI problems after long runs that I’m not accustomed to. I’m curious to see suggestions.
I’m enjoying Martini Fridays so much
With two kids, a husband who works non-stop, a full-time teaching job, and weather that isn’t allowing me to run outdoors safely in the dark (soooo much ice), the only way I’m getting those long mid-week runs in are by being at the gym when it opens at 5:00am. That way I’m there and done those bad boys by 6:00 in order to shower, get the kids ready, and get us all off to school by 7:30. They’re not pretty mornings (so my daughter may have gone to school Tuesday with teeth and hair unbrushed due to time constrainsts), but oh well. Good luck! I feel your pain! I’m in the same week of the same plan getting ready for the same half! :)
Me too! Martini Fridays are fun!
Hi! I’ve tried eating dry roasted peanuts and dates during long runs for fuel with good results, but the caffeine in gu or shot blocks is a real benefit on long runs. Some folks I know swear dairy can be the culprit for the runners trots and avoid it the morning of or evening before a long run.
Also, for squeezing in your “longer” weekday run, I’ve heard some folks have had success breaking it up into two runs, 3 miles in the morning and 3 miles in the evening, for example. I haven’t tried it yet, but plan to give it a shot next time I’m pressed for time on my weekday long run instead of just cutting it short.
As for the running statistics match that keeps going through your head on the longer runs, I read on this blog in a previous article to say “I am here now” (or something of the like) on each step to keep your mind in the present and not focusing on the time/distance calculations. I’ve tried it and was able to keep it up long enough to turn my train of thought into something else.
I have to say, I enjoy your column and not just because my name is also Adrienne. : )
PS- I also detest bananas!
OH thanks goodness you’re on the same week I am! Means I did the math right. :)
Sometimes after long runs or intense speed workouts, I’ll have GI issues, also. I’ve never tried Imodium during a race, but I take it afterwards and that helps a lot! I do use GU, water, and Gatorade, but I don’t think that is the cause of any problems for me. I think it is more the intensity of the workout.