| |
 YogaRunner's Run Log: "BeaverDash 5K" Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Playlist: DJRichB - "Sweat" mix
Device: SportBand
Recent visitors:
| YogaRunner's Jog Log:BeaverDash 5K ( www.beaverdash.org )
Course Map: www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/ia/des-moines/607273938
This is was my very first organized race ever. I was a nervous wreck before it started and my stomach was in a knot. I don't get nervous very easily but man, I was a freak this morning. There were 1000 people there (we'll see the official numbers when the results are up later) and it was a flat course, as promised. It was a beautiful morning for a run, too.
Here's the thing though - and this isn't me making excuses...it's me trying to figure out what I need to do to improve - I know I could have done better had I known better how to prepare for a run in the morning. This was the first time I've run any great distance in the morning and I wasn't sure what to eat before hand or anything. I always run at night where I've had food during the day so I have some energy to use. I looked on the internet for breakfast suggestions and I went with a Clif Bar, a banana, and half a bottle of Gatorade. Not a good plan. My stomach was already in a nervous knot before the race, then add on top of that WAY too much food and you have a recipe for an upset stomach. My goal was to run the whole thing and not walk....but I walked when I felt my stomach starting to try and re-gift the Clif Bar. You can see where I walked a bit in the run..just after mile 2. Luckily I didn't have to walk much before my stomach righted itself so that's good.
Overall, not a terrible run but I know I can do better. I'm going to do the following to ensure that I improve over the next month:
1) Make sure I don't have big gaps in my practicing. I've given friends permission to verbally abuse me or even kick my ass if they see anything more than a 3 day break between runs in my Runner logs. Those 5 and 6 day gaps are unacceptable. I'm definitely shipping my shoes to DC next week so I can get a run in while I'm on my mini-vacation (yes, I said shipping....I refuse to pay American Airlines to check a bag...bastards).
2) Haul my ass out of bed in the mornings a few times to try and find the perfect amount of food to consume before a run so that I have enough energy but don't have to hold back from throwing up. I'll still run at night because I enjoy it and it works best for me. But I need to get my body used to running first thing in the morning.
3) Get in several runs that are longer than 3.5 miles so that I'm well practiced so that 3.1 doesn't seem like a challenge.
I knew I signed up for a "practice" 5K for a reason!! :) |
|
 Potato
9/20/08 | | You know, YR, doing a "practice" race really was a great idea. And I'm like you -- I almost never run in the morning, yet every race I've ever run is in the morning -- most of them the early morning. I suspect your nerves will be a little calmer next time and that will help some. But I usually limit myself to sipping sport drink, water and coffee on race morning -- and then I hope they have plenty of restroom facilities at the race, because the adrenaline makes me need to go about 20 times pre-race! But this was a great effort for a first race. It looks like you were pacing yourself well and I think you'll have a big improvement next time. |
YogaRu
9/20/08 | | I sure hope so! The fact that I ran more this week than the previous 2 weeks combined isn't such a good thing, but I'm gonna improve on that! I have to!
Here's to my nerves not getting to me next time.:) |
Comment on YogaRunner's run:You are asked to join RUNNER+ to post a comment.
Already a RUNNER+ member? Sign in |
|
|
| |
