What NOT to do During Your Runs

Hola bloggies:

So I've had a bit of an interesting run. Mostly having to do with my run! For a bit there it even seemed like a bit of a gong show. But out of all of it, I think I'd have to say I learned a couple of things!


Running Towards a Half - Update

Saturday, May 23rd

As predicted I ended up taking yesterday rather light. My stomach was kind of upset and I didn't want to risk running. Kind of wanted to save my legs for my Sunday run.

Given that it ended up being a yoga and stretching day. It was a relaxing way to spend my cross-training day.

Sunday, May 24th

Today I woke up and was for some reason completely convinced that I was scheduled to do a 4 miler. Upon double checking my schedule I realized I was wrong. It was only a 3 miler. Whew! 'Cause my tummy was still kind of upset and frankly I was a bit nervous about the first "long" run of my training.

Usually, I do my runs in the evening. Just as the sun is starting to set. That's because the sun here is ridiculously intense. Even when it's not very hot the sun makes it feel like you're absolutely cooking. Nowhere in my life have I experienced such intense sunshine! I figure it has something to do with the altitude (I live in the Rocky Mountains after all).

Now knowing what I know about the sun here you'd think I would know better than to run in the middle of the day. But nope! :oP

Since the fiance worked overnight (and slept most of the day away) I decided I would do a midday run. Really Karen? Crazy moi!!!

I thought nothing of it though, got my Nike+ system into my armband, laced up my shoe laces, tucked my key into my pants and I was off! No sooner had I started than the intensity of the sun hit me. In fact I think it was about the 1/4 of a mile point when I became aware of my intensely parched throat! I don't think I'd ever been so thirsty in my life.

Lesson #1: Running in the intense midday sun is a BAD idea!!!

Luckily, I was only doing loops at a nearby park so I ran back home after one mile and decided to get a drink of water. I also decided to have a bit of a potty break! Now usually I carry my iPod in my armband so I don't worry about it. On this occasion I had taken it out but forgot about it dangling off my arm.

Can you see where this is heading?

I was getting ready to leave the washroom when I accidentally flung my iPod into a bowlful of (clean) water. :oO I scooped it out and did a bit of freaking out. Thankfully after some hair dryer action (I kid you not - lol) I was able to get everything in working order and get back to my run.

Lesson #2: Make sure your iPod is well secured before taking a washroom break!!! Trust me on this one!

I returned to my run thinking the quick drink of water would be enough. I. Was. So. Wrong. One mile later I found myself at home again. Fearing this I had left the water bottle outside. Instead of risking a repeat of the horror of my waterless miles I took my bottle with me.

And my God did I need it! I was heating up like no one's business. At one point I felt an unbearable heat all over my body. I kept on drinking my water and it didn't seem to be enough. I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am that I brought the bottle with me on that last mile. Without it I think I would have passed out!

This experience led me to realize that it may be time to invest in a running hat and some sort of portable hydration. The sun here is just out of control and as my mileage increases it's inevitable that I will have to run before the sun starts to set.

Any recommendations on hydration? Fuel belts vs. hydration packs? Any one kind you recommend? I'm open to ideas here! :o)


Eats!

I haven't eaten too much this weekend. I just haven't found myself that hungry. For the most part I've had a very late breakfast and a relatively early dinner. Something about the warm weather makes me eat less.

Yesterday's dinner was outstanding! It featured a beautiful sirloin steak and a mound of roasted veggies!! Since we're going on vacation (wooho!) soon this was a fantastic way of using up a lot of vegetables from our fridge.


I topped this all off with a cold Granny Smith apple later on:


This morning I had was in the mood for a very light breakfast (really wasn't hungry). So I chose to try a new bar.


Want to see the stats?


Overall Review of the Pomegranate-Cherry Optimum Bar? I would NOT buy this again! My first thought when biting into it was "WHY does this taste like medicine!?" I finished it but I'm pretty sure that was because I was hungry. It's a fail.

Before heading out for my run I had 5 (not pictured) almonds.

When I came back I was starved so I decided to head out to buy some groceries. Unfortunately not much of what I wanted was on sale. In fact I think I only saved about $1.50 today. Still I got some yummy eats:


TOTAL COST OF MY GROCERY HAUL? Just slightly over $58. With my money I was able to buy some organic free-range chicken thighs (boneless and skinless), a large container of artificial vanilla, Kosher salt, a massive amount of unsweetened shredded coconut, WW hamburger pita buns, veggie burgers, Rice Works Sea Salt chips (these things are like crack!), brown rice cereal, guacamole, So Good ice cream, and lean bison burgers (lower in calories and fat than beef any day).

While we made dinner we snacked on the brown rice crisps. I have to admit that in between the fiance and I we managed to polish off the entire bag before dinner. Granted neither of us had really had lunch and we were mungry! I probably had slightly above one serving and the fiance had the rest.

Dinner for me was a delicious veggie burger with a side salad and about a teaspoon of light Greek dressing:


Inspired by the ginormous energy bar fail I set about making my own using some whole grains and super foods (guided by the brilliant Heidi Swanson). The end result was delicious and way cheaper than buying overpriced grocery store bars. Usually bars in my town will cost about about $2.50 cents. I spent way less on these beauties:


I couldn't help myself and made one of these beauties my dessert! :o)

It's been a wonderful weekend bloggies and this upcoming week will be crazy!!! On Wednesday afternoon I leave for Vancouver. I'm there Thursday and Friday (the day of my Call to the Bar :oD) and then we fly out on Saturday for just shy of a week in Mexico. It's going to be awesome!!!

And on that note I think I'll call it a night! Until tomorrow friends!