Let’s Go Halfsies: 9/27/09

Today I hit a training milestone: the 10 mile marker!

After pimping my shoes, I had a big lunch to get fueled for the run. After working with my dietitian, I knew how much I needed to eat for today — and it was a lot! I had a grilled chicken sandwich, veggies, Food Should Taste Good sweet potato chips, hummus, and a Honeycrisp.

It was good, but I was so full. I hung out for a bit, flipping through magazines, and then went to the grocery store so I could let my food settle. And then it was on to the trails! I should have been nervous after my previous disastrous attempt at 10 miles, but I just kept ignoring any negative thoughts that tried to creep in. I packed up my belt and put my ipod in the pouch. Unfortunately, I forgot my headphones. It wasn’t a huge deal, since I had been planning to run at least part of the run without them, so I figured I’d just get some extra “me time.”

It was a gorgeous day and honestly, the sounds of nature were pretty appealing. I could hear all the geese and ducks, as well as the many squirrels rustling around. The thing that I love about these trails is that the trees are so high; you can’t see anything for miles, even though you’re right near a busy hospital. I don’t even feel like I’m in Grand Blanc anymore. There was one part where I got “lost” (not really, but kind of) and I felt like I was in a dream or something….there was a field of wildflowers and fat fuzzy caterpillars inching along. I felt like Alice in Wonderland. So…yeah, it’s nice to go earbudless once in a while. Apparently it turns running into an LSD-like trip.

I did everything right this time — prepared for the weather, hydrated before and during — and it paid off! The run wasn’t a painful struggle, although there were some tough parts. But really, I just broke it down into 10-minute segments, and that helped a ton. What helped the most is that I got so lost in thought. It was really nice to be away from technology, books, music, people, everything, really, for an hour and a half. When you’re running outside, alone, you have the freedom to think about whatever you want…and plenty of time to do it! It seems silly — we can always think about whatever we want, right? — but I don’t think I do most of the time. My brain naturally circles back to responsibilities when I’m in a place where I should be working — or even when I shouldn’t be, like when I’m trying to sleep! But when you’re running, you really cannot work on anything else. And without music…wow. It’s like I fully understand the expression “clear my head.”

So I made it! Afterward I walked for 10 minutes to cool down, chugged the rest of my water and a 17 ounce propel in about 30 seconds, did a little light stretching, and then drove home, rocking out to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack. Then I got home, stretched some more, and made a recovery drink: half a Muscle Milk light and half a fronana. I was not at all hungry, so I think it was better to just drink something rather than eat solid food.

The belt and Nike+ worked out pretty well. I need to adjust the belt so it stays in place better next time, and I am going to recalibrate the Nike+ sensor on my next run on the track, just to be sure it’s working. But ah…so nice to just be able to run wherever your heart desires and know you can easily reach down and check the mileage!

Now it’s time for a shower and then making some dinner for the family. There will be pasta. And then “Entourage.” Hallelujah — these are my Sunday services.

Tagged as: half marathon training, Nike, running