Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Eat.. Drink... Success

Success. That is right. Count that.... water, Cytomax, Luna Bar, and a GU!!! It stayed down. I did not feel sick. I am happy with my little test tonight.

Since I had my weight workout with my son I opted to just stay at the gym and do my run indoors. This would provide a closer bathroom if needed. So following weights I headed to the treadmill for my 12 mile mid-week long run. Here is how is broke down:

Mile 1-4
After warming up I adjusted the treadmill and settled into a steady pace. Since I had already spent some time doing weights I had half of my Luna Bar around mile two and continued will a steady stream of liquids.

Mile 5-8
A very quick dash to the restroom (I was being to swim in all of the liquids) I resumed my pace and took a GU. Surprisingly it tasted great. I remember thinking that I had hit the jackpot with this one. It taste of pure honey and the consistency is far better than any other Gu I had tried. After washing it down I plugged away at the next few miles switching from Cytomax and Water.

Mile 9-10
I will be honest here. By the beginning of mile 9 I was having no issues with my stomach or my energy. This I was thrilled about. The issue was my mind and I could not wrap it around the thought of going the full 12 miles on the treadmill. I was sick of this hamster wheel and ready to be done. So as the machine read 10 miles I slowed it down and walked for a ½ mile for a cool down.

I think 3 hours at the gym was plenty and this girl was ready to go home!! Add another 15 minutes of stretching, a protein shake as I headed out the door and I would call this a great success. I may have not hit the total calories needed BUT I am much closer and I felt like my energy was even.

Feeling even better about this weekend’s long run fuel.
Robin

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice job on the run. Glad to hear the eating and drinking experiment went well. I am always scared to have stomach issues. I think I worry about it too much! Way to keep a bathroom close by.

Wes said...

That's awesome Robin! You keep workin it girl!! You WILL get it down pat before the big day!!

A friend had an argument with her 12 year old son during Ironman training. She wanted to get off her trainer while she was doing an 80 mile (blech!) trainer ride. The son wouldn't let her cause she couldn't just "quit" during Ironman.

Take that thought with you the next time you hit the treadmill. I admire your fortitude. I can't stay on that damn thing for more than like 4 miles :-)

Marcy said...

YAY ROBIN!! That is freekin awesome! ;D ;D Looks like you've found the key ;-)

BeachRunner said...

Success! Nice work with the scientific and experimental approach to find what works for you.

Stuart said...

Looks like you're dialing it in, stick with it and it will all fall into place!

Runner Mom said...

Great job, chickadee! Where did yo get that Gu from? Just curious?
Hugs,
Susan

Anonymous said...

Wow - girl - 12 M on the mill and it all stayed down. Yuhuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!

Judi said...

I heard that Honey Stinger stuff was good stuff. Hope your long run goes well. I am sure it will. You are doing great! LOng runs on the treadmill are an absolute "can't, won't, never gonna happen" for me, so you go girl.

teacherwoman said...

Wahoo! Glad to hear there was success with the hydration and food! :)

Mendy said...

I like that honey gel/gu, whatever it is. anyways, it's the only one I think I actually like.

Great job on the run on the treadmill!

So, congrats to Scott! ARe you going to post before and after pics? It would be great to see them. I bet he's super excited for winning.

ShirleyPerly said...

Ha! You did exactly what I did the first time I experimented with nutrition when running. Once I was confident that it on a treadmill with a bathroom nearby, I took it outside. Good luck this weekend!!

RunBubbaRun said...

Sounds like you found the right nutrition combination. Great job.

Wow 3 hours on the treadmill, that's some mental toughness there.

Good luck this weekend on the run.

Jarrett said...

Getting in long runs at a gym is such effort. It will be my number one challenge this winter. Last year, I could never convince myself to do more than 3 miles on a treadmill, and it set me back so far when spring came back.

Steve Stenzel said...

I've heard good things about the stuff! I'll have to try it!

NICE RUN!!

J~Mom said...

Great news!!! I am so happy to hear about the nutrition working better!

Chris said...

HEy Robin, that's AWESOME!! Man, I am SO happy for you. I know that this is a huge relief to you (and to SCott too).

Now, how anyone can run 12 miles on a tread mill.... ?? girl......

I think that we are all making some nutritional breakthroughs this week! (more to come)

Phil said...

I feel your pain ... going beyond 10 miles on a treadmill is tough. The last time I did it, I lulled myself into the zone and stepped off the side of the belt.

Much safer to cut it off at 10.

Congrats on the nutrition.

Unknown said...

I've been wanting to try the Honey Stinger's as I hate Gu or any other gel. Actually, I would rather eat a Milk Bone or even some dirt. mmmmm
I think I'll order some Honey Stinger instead and give them a try.

Good Job!

Unknown said...

Hi there, I just happened upon your blog and I wanted to tell you how inspiring you are. I played soccer for 15 years and now I am three surgeries later on my knee and am unable to run. I can do a lot of other things and I'm trying to figure out the best workout to achieve an athletes body and endurance again. Even though I won't be running, I'll be checking your blog to see ideas. Thanks and good luck with all that you have going on.