Catching Up

2007, can you believe it? No special new years resolutions yet (regarding fitness).

I wasn't in the mood to write for a few weeks. Needed to unplug...

So, back on 12/23 I attempted my last 20 mile run before the marathon. Ended up doing 18. It was a crappy run in many ways. I was visiting family and the weather was bad. Everyone was asking my about my running, and I just got tired of thinking about it all. Tired of thinking about running for 3+ hrs. in the wind an cold.

So, in the middle of my lunch I decide to just head out and "get it over with." My plan was to run 2 days later. So, I got on my mom's treadmill and started going for my 20. Watching many many episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" helped, but not much. The night before I eat pizza and french fries for dinner. That morning I had skipped breakfast. I was running on a full stomach (pasta at least). I had made no attempt to hydrate myself. Some of this because I was thinking I had a few more days until the big run, some because I wasn't taking it seriously enough.

All this reminded my just how important it is to eat right. Nothing like feeling like crap to remind you of something.

So, this week before my 15 mile run, I drank a ton of water, stayed away from alcohol, eat well, etc. Surprise, surprise, I felt good.

I'm definitely curious about how my body manages fat burning, carbs, etc. I've read a lot, but it still feels like a mystery.

One more thing... I have noticed on my long runs that go well, that my heart rate hangs in the high 150s far into the run. On the days I don't feel good, my HR rises above 160 by mile 5/6. My pace is generally the same. I should probably back off to keep it below 160, but while training I want to learn how my body will handle things. I wonder how much this has to do with pacing vs. nutrition.

2 weeks until Phoenix. Need to eat well, build up my energy, and get excited!