It’s a 12-miler today. Drove the route Thursday in my car. Um. It really is kinda long. Hope Mom’s HalfWay House Potty Stop is open for business at mile 6.4.
It’s been since Monday since I’ve laced up my shoes and gotten out there to run. Don’t care how cold or yucky it is. So. Excited. To. Run. Today!
THE PLAN: 12 mile run today. SO glad to get back out there after three days off and after the monstrous-hills-from-hell trail I ran last weekend!
PREDICTION: Awesome, of course.
THE REALITY: To be determined. I’ll update you all afterwards, assuming I survive.
[UPDATE]: Okay, so 20 degrees really is cold. Not so bad when you’re running down residential areas where houses and trees break the wind, but today I went an extra mile out and back in the middle of my longest running route (turning 10 into 12 miles), and I got to run in some Very. Open. Spaces. Wondering if I will ever completely thaw out!
That being said, the run was AWESOME! There were little snowflakes flurrying around the entire time I ran, but no where near enough for accumulation. Had to avoid the puddles ice patches, where water had frozen for a stretch on the sidewalk, and make friends with some doggies who were bravely defending their yards from intruders, but overall, it was a very great day.
I felt better about running the 12 miles when I considered that it was only 1.1 mile short of the half-marathon distance that I’d conquered and that I’d be able to do one of those again with more grace than the first time. But I had to force myself to stop thinking that even when I was finished with my Longest Training Run Ever (to date) that I still wouldn’t have gone half the distance of the marathon that I’m going to be doing in less than three months. Ack!
Among many other things, I’m especially thankful today for my hydration belt, my hideous compression pants, Mom’s HalfWay Potty House (just knowing it’s there makes me feel better, whether I end up stopping or not!), safe streets, courteous drivers, warm showers and a family who supports me in this truly crazy journey.
I would love to hear how you are doing with the points? I am having trouble keeping my points down!
If I didn’t have activity points, I’d be in trouble with the points, Carla. The “filling foods” section has helped me a lot. I’m not a fruit and veggie girl, but I’m just forcing myself to be, much to my mother’s delight.
On days when I have a long run, I eat a pasta meal the night before. It’s usually pretty high points. I go over the daily, but I’ve never used up all my weekly and activity points. (Keep in mind though, I’m running dozens of miles weekly to train for this marathon I’m doing). Also, on long run days, I will accumulate between 17-25 points. I try to eat meat during the afternoon or evening of my long runs.
If I’m not running, I try very hard to stay within my daily points, knowing that I’ll need the extras when around my long runs. If I go into my weekly points I don’t get too upset about it.
I’ve found the Progresso soups that are zero and 1 point and eat those a lot. Also oatmeal. Anything that I like okay that will really fill me up. Oh, also, those Quaker Quakes mini carmel rice cakes, for when I need something fast and sweet–you get 7 of them for 1 point!
The key for me is maintaining a feeling of being full. And having the huge amounts of activity points in the bank helps me not freak out about going over now and then.
I was surprised to find out that some of my favorite eat-out foods were like 20 points! Yikes! I just faced the facts that I wouldn’t be eating those things and found something else that I liked.
Hope this helps Carla! Would love to hear any of your secrets and tips too.
BTW–anyone else reading this should click over to Carla’s blog. So nice to know that you’re not the only one going through the slim-down shuffle!
Awesome Shannon!!! I’m so glad you had a good run! Just take it one training session at a time. You are doing GREAT! I used to torture myself with the distance thing. We all do. It was amazing to me how all the training came together in the end. Especially after the 20 miler and the taper. It’s very cool. Your body and mind and everything really starts to change then. In good way, you start thinking I can do this! And YES keep eating the protein after the long runs. I CRAVED it, would have mowed people down for it! Filet Mignon was my savior. Sorry to all the vegetarians. And Sweet potatoes. I would dream about them! 🙂
And 20 degrees is COLDDDD!!!!