I wasn’t looking forward to my long run. This week, has been a lower energy week but each run has turned out ok. Until today.
The goal was 18 miles. Just 1 mile more than last week. Seemed do-able.
The morning air was heavy with humidity. Shane was with me on the first leg of the run, 6.63 miles. I had to stop to give him water 3 times so our pace was slow. When I dropped him off at the house, I filled the water bottle and continued on. My legs were still heavy and I wondered how I was going to make it another 11 plus miles. My thought was that the energy would kick in as it usually does and I would enjoy the run.
There was a hint of light breaking through the trees but still, without my guardian (Shane) I wanted to stay to the well lit road and so continued down the Parkway towards Genesee Street. I was going to go past Utica College and continue down Burrstone Road into New York Mills, around by the old Brookside Gym. But the energy just wasn’t getting to my legs nor my head. I was dragging. I turned at the Holiday Inn thinking this just might give me the extra miles I needed to hit 18.
On French Road, I checked the Garmin. I hadn’t even run 13 miles yet! Where was my energy? Where was my enthusiasm. Where was my running desire? and….how am I going to make it home? The thought actually crossed my mind to call Ted and have him pick me up. No. I talked myself out of that remembering what Coach said “You will most likely want to quit at least twice during a marathon, but you’ve trained your self to keep going”.
When I reached Valley View golf course, I knew my miles would be short. I thought, if I could only go into the golf course and around, that would allow me to reach my goal. But the energy wasn’t there. My legs were like lead with every step. I started drinking water like crazy, just to do something to get my mind off my exhaustion. FINALLY! I turned into the driveway.
Total miles = 17.25. I felt exhausted and defeated. Where did I go wrong?
Running fuel: I ate half a bagel with PB at 3 AM. An Accel Gel with 20 mg caffeine at mile 6. I had Sports Beans for electrolytes at mile 11.2.
Differences from last week (when I felt like I could do an Iron man): I had the bagel with PB 2 1/2 hours earlier (at 12:30 AM). I took the day off running BEFORE my long run last week. This week I ran 8+ miles on Wednesday(the day before). The temperature was about 5 or so degrees warmer and MUCH MORE humid.
The run today has left me sore. I’ve been moving at a snails pace. I felt like I could pull up a pillow and go right to sleep and that just doesn’t happen to me, the “Energizer Bunny”.
I’m suppose to run about 5 miles tomorrow in order to crank my weekly mileage up there but I have a 5K race on Saturday. At this point, I can only hope a goods night sleep will revitalize and refresh.
Do you get mad at your self on those days when you have very little energy? or do you just go with it?
BUITONI! Here is a video on super foods which discusses how good Buitoni Pasta is for you since it is made with whole grains. Naturally Buitoni is the last product discussed.
I was sent a coupon to try a box of Buitoni Frozen Meals for Two. Our box of Four Cheese and Spinach Ravioli didn’t serve just two, it served four.
The dinner we created with Buitoni Ravioli made everyone happy.
I added shrimp for protein,
some extra vegetables of cauliflower and broccoli for fiber,
and the cheese and spinach ravioli in a tomato basil sauce.
It was a quick, hearty meal and perfect for easy preparation on a week night.
You add the frozen bag of sauce to water. When it comes to a boil, add the pasta and continue boiling for 5 minutes. Drain pasta. Place into a serving bowl. Cut open the bag of sauce and pour over pasta. Perfecto!
On another scary note and brought to my attention by Vegetarian Site….Ever tried Tofutti? Read about some possible FALSE CLAIMS HERE.
Have you tried Buitoni pastas or the sauces?
Joanne
Gosh, Joanne, I wish I could give you a hug! Rest and you will recover. And eat well and do all the other things you’re already doing (spoken by someone who has absolutely no idea what she’s talking about but still cares!)
I did feel better today. Thanks. Leslie
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We’re always harder on ourselves than we are on others!! Give yourself a break, and regroup tomorrow. Maybe your body just needs some REST.
Love those pics of the shrimp, btw!
Thanks Heather
Hi There! Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Girrrrl, I can SO relate to that dragging feeling. Yesterday, I taught two back-to-back weights classes and then had to get up at 5am this morning and teach two back to back cardio classes. That’s like four hours of workouts in less than 10 hours! I just came home and CRASHED. My legs were like “FU, Laura.”
Those ravs look yum. I saw them in the grocery store and I was happy to read that they taste as good as they look.
Your “guardian” Shane is so adorable! What an awesome running companion! I can’t take my 15-pound furballs for runs because they would probably pass out from the heat…or from just general laziness 🙂 It’s nice to meet ya–I will definitely be following your blog!
Too funny! 😀
hey! thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂 i’ve been checking out yours and i love it. you have some really great pictures on here. can’t wait to read more! 🙂
Thanks
On days that I have very little energy I usually give in and sleep, eat comfort food and feel a lot better the next day 🙂
That would have been perfect only when the agony is self inflicted, I can’t justify leaving work 🙁
But… the weekend is coming – YAY!
Joanne, you are way too hard on yourself, girl! Some days bodies just aren’t up for everything like they usually are, who really knows what’s goin’ on inside?! Take a break, rest a little and you’ll be feeling your usual self in no time.
We enjoy the Buitoni pasta too, served with roasted veggies – – I get it at BJ’s and it’s plenty for the 3 of us.
Take good care, and know we’re all pulling for you to be back on top of your game. Speaking for myself, I live vicariously thru you! 😉
first of all you did complete 17 plus miles so good for you. granted you did not feel great but i think you pushed through like coach says……that is what this run was for. if you always feel great you will never know what true suffering is and won’t know how to deal with it if you feel it during a race. i think this run was more important then any of the “good” ones. good for you joanne!!!!!!!
Hey, Joanne!! Thanks for finding me…so I could find you!
Random, but that is my FAV kitty pic, every, love it!
You are being too tough on yourself, girlie….that is AMAZING what you can do. Your body is smart, and it was just trying to tell you to give it a rest…but you pushed through it, and did a lot more than half of what most people can do!!!
I have SO much love and respect for you runners….I decided today, that I despise running, I tried to do it, and I just hate it, and get winded too easily, it’s pathetic. Give me plyometric drills, HITT on the elliptical, a hard-core cardio blast circuit workout, even sprints….but long distance running, I just can’t (won’t) do it! I hate the word “can’t” so its really that I enjoy it. I REALLY wish I did, and could run 13-18 miles! I was on the treadmill today, and couldn’t wait until it reached a half a mile, I was so not into it. It’s probably so enjoyable and freeing to run outside…so like I said, mad love and respect for all of you runners out there!
[…] or Thursday and hope that today’s run doesn’t mess it up for me like I suspect happened last week. If I go Thursday, tomorrows run will be very […]