Anyone else ready for the taper? I did 16 miles today and I am so tired of my scenery. I nearly cried during mile 4. I decided to be daring and explore a little to try to get myself out of the rut. Seemed to work, I made it with decent pace for me.
I seem to be dehydrated now. I carried my Camelback (I run in the middle of nowhere) but only took small drinks at each mile trying replicate race conditions (sort of). I took gels and used 3 (too many?). What did I do wrong?
I didn't get a rest day yesterday. I have to get my runs in whenever I can because I have young children and a husband who works on call hours.
Discovered that compression socks aren't always good. My calves were killing me and not getting better. I pushed the socks around my ankles and was good to go. Has anyone else ever experienced this?
I really enjoy hanging out on this board. I have learned so much!
Is you course a loop or out and back? If a loop, run backwards. The 'change of scenery' will work wonders. Or look for a new track this week. It is not uncommon for a runner to get board with where they are running.
Adding to the hydration discussion, there is a difference between race day and training. Continue to carry your camelback in training to assure that you are hydrating. You say you feel dehydrated, but over hydration carries similar feelings in the first hour or so post run. Do yourself a favor and figure out your hydration needs over the next few runs. It is relatively easy. Weigh yourself before dressing for you run. Head out the door, preferable for an hour run. Note the amount of fluids drank during the run. Once you complete your run, disrobe and dry off then weigh. If you are lighter, you under hydrated. Heavier, over hydrated. The goal is to be within a percent of your starting weight. 1.5 - 2% creates issues. So as an example, if you ran for an hour, and drank 10 oz of fluids and weighed a pound lighter than when you started, you are under hydrating by about a pint (16 oz) an hour. For easy math, use 1 gallon = 8 pounds - or one cup = 0.5 pounds.
Try this a time or two to hone into the proper hydration rate.
With regard to hydrating on race day....
Some folk do find that the first half of the marathon water stop spacing is problematic. It is not a consistent 1 or 1.5 miles, it is random. For 2013 it is something like...
1, 3, 4.2, 6.3, 7.2, 8.2, 9.5, 11.8, 13.2, 14.2, 15.5, 16.7, 17.1, 18.2, 19.5, 20.5, 21.6, 22.8, 24, 24.9.
I found that when I was a slower runner the random spacing of the front half of the marathon was problematic. With the new course, I find the loss of 2 water stops along Bear ISland Road problematic if the weather turns warm on race day. All this to say, even today I will carry a throw down bottle with me for the first 12 miles just to make sure I have a sip if needed.
WIth regard to the calves, it may be time to have a doc look at you. It is highly likely that you may need to take a 2-3 week vacation from running to allow tissues to heal. Compression socks is not always the correct answer to the issue. It will help keep the muscle warm and supported so an 'itis' can have the opportunity to heal. They are really nice for recovery post run. There is one other alternative that can also be looked at - kinesiology tape or KT Tape. Get the correct tape (we called is stretchy tape) and flow the calf instructions and see if that helps. Those who tape swear by it. YMMV
