Entering a New World

Since running a marathon is a new experience for me, I have been learning so many new things. For instance, we have been talking about hydration and fuelling. We know how to handle those two things up to 22k, but from there up we are entering a twilight zone. Our water bottles, fueling blocks, and pockets can handle things up to 22k. But what do we do when we start running 25, 30, and 35 k? We will need more water, more fuelling and more storage space. So, I have been doing some research.

To solve my problems, I wanted to try a camel pack. After reading several reviews and articles, written by experienced marathon and ultra-marathon runners, I learned that camel packs are made for hikers and bikers but not for runners. The running version of a camel pack is made by a company named NATHAN. These people are experts designing running equipment. They have two hydration vests: the Intensity and the Vaporshape. These vests are designed for runners, and here is why: 

·         The way they adjust to your body does not let them bounce when running.

·         They have front pockets (front of your body), so reaching for fueling is easy; with the camel pack, you have to take it off to be able to get things from its pockets.

·         It has several front pockets: cellphone, fuelling, extra water.

·         It also has a back pocket, big enough to carry a light jacket or a shirt.

·         The fabric that they use for the vest is breathable and soft, reducing the chances of chafing.

·         It has a 2 litter bladder that is easy to take out for refilling during a race.

Of course I bought a hydration vest. I bought the Intensity one just because it was way cheaper than the Vaporshape. The Vaporshape is the newer version but both of them have great reviews, and they can both carry the same amount of liquid. Hopefully I will start using it next Sunday.

Today I also started doing something new regarding my fueling. I always fuel with Cliff Blocks, but for longer distances I know I have to add something else. When you start introducing new things in your running routine, you got to do it when you are running shorter distances. In case things don’t work, you know at least that it is a short way back home. Since today we were just running 16k, I decided to fuel with a peanut butter and chocolate chip LARABAR. Every walk break I took a bite and drank a bit of water. It was very good on my stomach, it gave me energy, and by the end of the run I did not feel so hungry (as I always do). I will keep experimenting with other food items, like homemade cookies and some fruit. Of course, this is all possible because my new hydration vest gives me enough storage room to carry my Cliff Blocks, my new fueling food, and my cellphone.

My Animal Lover Note:

     

Back to Official Training

I knew it! I am so glad I took it easy during the Christmas Holidays (and by easy I don’t mean I did not work out, I just ran less). I needed a change. I needed to cut down my run days. Now, with the clinic in its way, I don’t care if it is raining, or cold, or dark. It is clinic time and running has a purpose, there is a race in the horizon, and a big one. Having this in mind changes everything. If I miss a running session, I pay it back. The weather stops being an excuse to go for a run, and my cross training sessions are now geared towards my race. I really enjoy this process, the building up, the commitment, the effort. It is a process that always pays back in one way or another.

We are all training to run our first marathon. We all wanted to run one, but we were afraid of doing it. We did not want to train with the traditional marathon group. It has very fast and experienced marathon runners, and we all felt intimidated. The only way we could do this was if we could do it together, and if Ron was our leader; and all these things happened.

There is a big group of people in this clinic, around 30. The group naturally splits into 3 sub-groups as soon as we start running: the experienced marathon runners and the faster people, us (my running buddies), and the slower gang. I find it very particular that we always end up running at the same pace. We are so used to running together that none of us runs with another group.

We just started a new journey, one that is brand new for us. We are all exited and scared. But we are also happy because we have each other to share the journey with, and we are lucky enough to have the best running instructor in the world: Ron Heron.

My Animal Lover Note: