Notes to myself for the long run

I plan on doing several 50k+ this year so am making notes for myself to remember...in case I get old one day and forget what works :)

FOOD

 I  try to eat 'real food' on long runs.  I have the stomach of a billygoat.  But, I do add Carbopro in my pack just to ensure I keep my wits about me.  I average 200 cal/hr with real food, then gels.

IF they made gels that tasted like cheezecake, gingerbread, nachos, french fries, I would  probably eat more.
Prefer 'GU' to powerbar gels as it is less sweet and less runny- (oh yum). If only I could get it in bulk!  

My husband, on the other hand  has difficulty eating on the run . He has found a new gear in his step with a combination of gels and  "carbopro powder" . He is a new man with his 'bonk' ( grumpy, dizzy, walking man) moved from 3.5 hrs to...I don't know. We just did a 5 hr run with no problemos! 

ELECTROLYTES

I like the thermolytes. I can really gague EXACTLY  how much electrolytes I am taking in every hour.  My new mantra is:

 "If I don't feel right, I may need a thermolyte"

I Now put into  a pill holder am/aft/pm/night X2/section=8 pills. Still debating the blister pack idea for longer runs. .

TIMING

I need to figure out how to set my watch to beep on the hour to remind me when to eat etc.  After about 3.5-4 hrs I get in a happy zone and lose track of time.

LUBE

 I finished last weekend with a nasty chaffing spot on my low back from the pack. 

-->It looks more like I had sex on a carpet than ran for a 30 miles!! So now there is yet another spot

 to remember to lube in addition to all the others. I always pack extra lube (I dig out the remainder from the bottom of the stick and put it in Saran Wrap)
CLOTHING - added after dirty duo
Compression shorts so no chaffing... but not so tight I can't pull them up when peeing in the woods.
Good 'running bra' that has been well testd that does not give me 'bra burn'. So far UNDER ARMOUR and running room products working.
Socks- I WANT DRYMAX socks  (can't get in canada) , but will settle for dual layer dryfit socks from runners den. No blisters so far
SUGOI  jacket I have worn forever. Removable sleeves are great . Might be replaced with soft sleeves
NATHAN hydration pack. The best! with lotsa pockets- except bladder 'weak' . Replaced bladder with PLATYPUS - waay stronger.

RECOVERY

Since my bathroom is under reno- no ice baths for me. So I'll have to rely on recovery tabs and compression garments.  Seems to be working dandy so far.

Packing for the long run is now seeming more like packing for a weekend getaway! Whew! But its worth it.

Heather

Selfishness in Running

THE GUILT TRIP
Having some introspective moments here.   Usually my 12 yr old sleeps thru the whole Sunday long run thing. This Sunday she asks me  to "make it a shorter run so we can have some quality time ". GUILT TRIP! ...killing me!  Even though I have spent tons of 'quality time' with her watching stupid teen movies with her, baking , talking, shopping, etc. and I know she won't get out of bed till 11am ! (when we get back)

Then there is HAITI- omg, these people are in bare bones survival mode. People starving, suffering and  dying.  Here I am counting calories, trying to make 'healthy food choices"  etc, etc, . Not to mention recording and logging my miles/altitude, intensity etc.. It seems so self centered  in comparison to this world around us!!  I feel so selfish!

THANKFULNESS
But at the same time, I have massive amounts of gratitude for what I have in my life.  I am soooo lucky to be able to make these choices. WHAT should I eat, how FAR should I run, WHEN will I spend QUALITY time with my daughter.  I don't think the people of Haiti  wonder about 'quality time'.  The other night I was bored.  Well, BOREDOM IS A LUXURY!!!   Many people in this world would love to be bored- not starving, not scavanging, not diving bombs, but bored.

ACCEPTANCE
In the end I have come to the conclusion that although my running IS selfish. It is something I do for ME. I LOVE it.  There isn't much else I do only for myself.  I work to help heal other people, I volunteer for others, and the rest of my spare time is spent supporting my family (driving, homework, cleaning,cooking,banking,  laundry) .  Running is a GOOD thing.  It keeps me FIT to help others, it keeps me SANE to be there for others and the events I go into are often fundraisers for those in need!

  Maybe it isn't as selfish as I think it is....

Heather