Thursday, November 10, 2011
A barefoot 50 miler in my future?
Well, Ive' been contemplating on celebrating my 45th birthday on the sand beaches with the Destin 50 Beach Ultra. A barefoot 50 miler....hmmmm. Want to do this but not sure if logistically possible. The reason I'm holding back is that I don't have beaches to train on here in Maine. Can I train through the winter doing other things? Snowshoeing? Trail running in the snow? Putting in those long runs on the indoor track YUCK! (I hate that last idea) Cross training with pool workouts and elliptical? I could spend a few weeks in Florida to acclimate to the temperature and running on the beaches....? but where does that leave my work and my family responsibilities....hmmm...still formulation a plan.? Any suggestions?
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
My "footwear"
Here is a picture of what I use for footwear. I included my pair of "car shoes" because those are the 1 pair of flip-flops I use if I HAVE to.
Merrell Pace Gloves = Trails
VFF = Some trails and winter running if not wet or too cold(below 15 degrees F)
Huaraches = tool for winter running/walking and occas. as "car shoes" may add toe socks with them for extra warmth.
Injinji Toe Socks with duct tape = another winter running tool if roads are not wet.
What do I do if it is less than 10 degrees F 12 inches of snow with wind chill factors? Usually cross train indoors. If I go out for errands or to take the children somewhere I use one of or a combination of the above footwear. Last winter I used my snowshoes wearing my fivefingers with toe socks, which sucked, and my pace gloves with toe socks and gators.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Sport Gel Recipe I made for my long runs.
Thanks to the no meat athlete web site for posting the recipe. http://www.nomeatathlete.com/thrive-energy-gel-recipe
I made the following modifications.
I only put in about 1/8 cup agave nectar (it's REALLY sweet with any more than that)
I didn't put in the dulse (what the heck is that anyway?)
I brewed some organic green tea and added about 4 oz. for some caffeine
I suppose like any recipe I use, I use it as a guideline and substitute for my own tastes. I actually like the date chunks.
I made the following modifications.
Raw Lemon-Lime Sport Gel Recipe (from Thrive)
I only put in about 1/8 cup agave nectar (it's REALLY sweet with any more than that)
I didn't put in the dulse (what the heck is that anyway?)
I brewed some organic green tea and added about 4 oz. for some caffeine
I suppose like any recipe I use, I use it as a guideline and substitute for my own tastes. I actually like the date chunks.
Practicing for the Trail Half
There are a few things I do before every event/race I sign up for: For about a month, in my training runs leading up to the race, I try to picture the course in my head. I online research about the course, elevation, number of people participating, etc. (homework). If I can, I try to run the course or parts of the course. I also have to decide if I'm gonna run it barefoot or in minimalist shoes.
Well, this weekend I went with some friends to check out the Hidden Valley Trail Half marathon course. I'm running this course again Nov. 27th with 50 other trail running nuts. It went like this: Fueled up for this "run" with 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, some applesauce, 2 pieces of bacon and 2 cups of coffee. I brought with me about 3 cups of water in a water bottle, a granola bar, and some homemade sport gel ( took the recipe from Thrive modified it to suit my taste). When we arrived I had my fanny pack (which had water, homemade gel, band-aid, whistle and map), hat and gloves. I usually choose not to run with any kind of pack. But I thought if I'm going to do a 50 miler someday, I better get used to carrying my gear with me, especially if I'm going into the wilderness. This Nature Trail is WAY out into the woods. They have 100 acres with 24 miles of trails!
Well, the first half of the course is double track and well marked and we moved right along. A couple of nice hills and some water pools, but that's ok we love to get wet! The second half was not as well marked, we went off track a couple times...hills turned short steep climbs, single tracks looked like deer paths...but it was a BLAST! We didn't end up with the 13 miles because we got lost a couple times. I think it ended up being about 12. We saw 2 porcupines too.
Glad I got to run this...now I know what to expect on race day. Did I say race...? We ran the 12. in about 2:22 or something like that, which is about a 11:36 pace? I was so spent. Walking to the car and crawling in I was so happy to sit down. That course beat the crap out of me.
Things I learned: I will not carry a pack of any kind, it only made me feel more tired and my stride was off. I will carry some kind of food, probably the homemade gel again it was good. Eat and drink a little more just before the race, I need more fuel. Walk some of the steeper parts of the trail to conserve energy. I wore leggings and I think I will on race day as well. The ticks were bad and I HATE ticks. (They gross me out! I hate them as much as snakes and fruit flies) Its good to be prepared. I also will be wearing my Merrell Pace Gloves.
Well, this weekend I went with some friends to check out the Hidden Valley Trail Half marathon course. I'm running this course again Nov. 27th with 50 other trail running nuts. It went like this: Fueled up for this "run" with 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, some applesauce, 2 pieces of bacon and 2 cups of coffee. I brought with me about 3 cups of water in a water bottle, a granola bar, and some homemade sport gel ( took the recipe from Thrive modified it to suit my taste). When we arrived I had my fanny pack (which had water, homemade gel, band-aid, whistle and map), hat and gloves. I usually choose not to run with any kind of pack. But I thought if I'm going to do a 50 miler someday, I better get used to carrying my gear with me, especially if I'm going into the wilderness. This Nature Trail is WAY out into the woods. They have 100 acres with 24 miles of trails!
Well, the first half of the course is double track and well marked and we moved right along. A couple of nice hills and some water pools, but that's ok we love to get wet! The second half was not as well marked, we went off track a couple times...hills turned short steep climbs, single tracks looked like deer paths...but it was a BLAST! We didn't end up with the 13 miles because we got lost a couple times. I think it ended up being about 12. We saw 2 porcupines too.
Glad I got to run this...now I know what to expect on race day. Did I say race...? We ran the 12. in about 2:22 or something like that, which is about a 11:36 pace? I was so spent. Walking to the car and crawling in I was so happy to sit down. That course beat the crap out of me.
Things I learned: I will not carry a pack of any kind, it only made me feel more tired and my stride was off. I will carry some kind of food, probably the homemade gel again it was good. Eat and drink a little more just before the race, I need more fuel. Walk some of the steeper parts of the trail to conserve energy. I wore leggings and I think I will on race day as well. The ticks were bad and I HATE ticks. (They gross me out! I hate them as much as snakes and fruit flies) Its good to be prepared. I also will be wearing my Merrell Pace Gloves.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
My Barefoot Halloween
FUN! Barefoot in 36 degrees! Yes, it can be done. :) Kids had a blast. We all got into the spirit of the evening. The adults kept warm with out hot mulled cider and the kids kept warm by running from house to house! We are: Freddy Kruger, Devil woman, Vampire, and Rotten Fairy Princess!
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