Interesting suggestion for the food to carry for the week of the Marathon des Sables race:
http://blog.irunfar.com/2009/03/food-for-marathon-des-sables.html
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Hiatus
Been sick for several days - too sick to even consider a run. (So, I havent run since last Saturday's long run.) I have attended yoga a couple of times this week, so I'm maintaining some sort of activity. Of course, I am in the "taper" period leading up to the Dec. 5th race, but this is more than a taper...! We'll have to see whether the sickness has really debilitated me, or if the period of rest was actually a benefit, when I get the running shoes back on (hopefully tomorrow...)
An interesting experiment on the whole tapering philosophy!
An interesting experiment on the whole tapering philosophy!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
North Face Endurance 50k Prep
Now it's official: I have managed to gain entry into the North Face Endurance 50k race on December 5th!
Now, question is, have I done enough preparation at this stage to even consider running 50k (i.e. ~33 miles -- considerably more than the 26.2 miles in a marathon, my previous longest run)? I completed another 2-hour run in the Park today (translating to probably 16 miles or so...) Problem is, I'm now almost within 2 weeks of the race, so it's almost time to taper...
So, my tentative strategy for now is to attempt a very humble race -- take it as slowly as possible, walk sections if/when necessary, and do everything possible to get to the finish line without really killing myself.
Today, I also did a test-drive of my new trail running shoes, the North Face Rucky Chucky. Jury is still out -- they certainly feel rigid & seem to grip the road (though roads dont provide a real test for trail running shoes) but I can feel the extra weight, and they seemed to sap my strength a bit as the miles went by.
Now, question is, have I done enough preparation at this stage to even consider running 50k (i.e. ~33 miles -- considerably more than the 26.2 miles in a marathon, my previous longest run)? I completed another 2-hour run in the Park today (translating to probably 16 miles or so...) Problem is, I'm now almost within 2 weeks of the race, so it's almost time to taper...
So, my tentative strategy for now is to attempt a very humble race -- take it as slowly as possible, walk sections if/when necessary, and do everything possible to get to the finish line without really killing myself.
Today, I also did a test-drive of my new trail running shoes, the North Face Rucky Chucky. Jury is still out -- they certainly feel rigid & seem to grip the road (though roads dont provide a real test for trail running shoes) but I can feel the extra weight, and they seemed to sap my strength a bit as the miles went by.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Mini Meals
I found an interesting menu of mini-meals (a so-called "idiots' guide"...!) They seem like an interesting way to get in some carbs (and a bit of protein too) or to replenish following a big exertion:
1 cup vanilla yogurt + 1 cup fresh fruit (60 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: provides over 40 percent of your daily calcium needs
1 cup orange juice + 1 banana (52 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: packs almost 200 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin C
1 slice banana nut bread + 1 cup skim milk (about 45 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: gives you 25 percent of the Daily Value for calcium
1 PowerBar energy bar + 8 oz PowerBar Endurance sports drink (62 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: provides plenty of sodium and potassium to keep you well hydrated
Smoothie of 2 cups skim or soy milk + 1 1/2 cups strawberries + 2 Tbsp soy
protein (about 50 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: contributes about 5 grams of fiber
1 1/2 cups multigrain cereal + 1 1/2 cups skim milk (54 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: contains over 100 percent of the Daily Value for iron
1 bagel + 1 banana + 1 Tbsp nut butter (about 75 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: provides 12 grams of protein
(from active.com)
1 cup vanilla yogurt + 1 cup fresh fruit (60 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: provides over 40 percent of your daily calcium needs
1 cup orange juice + 1 banana (52 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: packs almost 200 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin C
1 slice banana nut bread + 1 cup skim milk (about 45 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: gives you 25 percent of the Daily Value for calcium
1 PowerBar energy bar + 8 oz PowerBar Endurance sports drink (62 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: provides plenty of sodium and potassium to keep you well hydrated
Smoothie of 2 cups skim or soy milk + 1 1/2 cups strawberries + 2 Tbsp soy
protein (about 50 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: contributes about 5 grams of fiber
1 1/2 cups multigrain cereal + 1 1/2 cups skim milk (54 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: contains over 100 percent of the Daily Value for iron
1 bagel + 1 banana + 1 Tbsp nut butter (about 75 grams carbs)
Bonus Benefit: provides 12 grams of protein
(from active.com)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Moab Red Hot 50K!
I had a slight rush of blood to the head, and signed up for the Moab Red Hot 50K+ race in February. I've no idea at this point whether I'll be able for it, or logistically hot I'll manage it, but I'm optimistic!
Nov 10: Gaining Confidence
I'm running more, and gaining confidence (and strength, I think.) I completed the run from home (Hayes & Central in SF) all the way to Stinson Beach via the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Mill Valley and the Dipsea Trail, with only a few limited stops. Very happy with it -- fairly comfortably ran 22+ miles (though, to be completely honest, the punishing inclines in the Dipsea Trail were torturous.)
At this point, I'm not at all sure I will follow through on the commitment to do the Marathon des Sables (presuming that the opportunity actually comes up.) However, I am becoming a lot more eager to test myself on some ultra trail runs. As I said, I have already added myself to a waitlist for the North Farce Endurance Challenge 50k race on December 5th. Not sure if that's going to work out. But, failing that, I am considering the Coastal Trail Runs trail marathon the following week. This should be a similar type of race (albeit not with as much associated coolness!)
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