Had a last long run the other day, and it went well. My hips started hurting around mile 6, and I didn't push through it because I wanted to make sure my body wasn't in trouble on Sunday. I took half a gel at mile 3, and at mile 6. I didn't take a gel before the run, but I will on Sunday. Those times seemed to be ok times to do it! Mentally it felt good. Energy wise it felt good. Body wise I started to hurt a little bit, but I think I can push through that on Sunday (well, I'll have to!)
I just hope it's not the hottest day ever....
Here's what I'm doing to prep for Sunday:
>Drinking a TON of water. It feels like all I have been doing is drinking water, which is probably all I HAVE been doing since I'm on summer break...I bought a Nalgene bottle that holds 32 ounces. I am trying to drink at least two or three of those a day. If you know me, or have read any of my previous posts, you know that I generally dislike drinking liquids, lol. It is the hardest thing for me to do. This Nalgene bottle has a smaller spout so it's easier to drink from, and it's purple so that's just the best.
>Charging up my Garmin. I recently purchased a Garmin Forerunner 610 and boy do I love that thing. My favorite thing about it is that it is a touch screen so it is super easy to use on the go. It also has a feature where I can run against a previous time that I have run on the same course. I haven't used that yet, but I am super excited to! It's also a good size, easy to use, and is super motivating when it lets me know what my pace is and how far I've run right there on my wrist!
>Picking up some gels. So I've tried a few different gels. I have to say, I'm picky when it comes to these. My least favorite gel is probably the GU brand gel. It's a popular one, and I see it at a lot of bigger Chicago races that I've done. I think I generally do not like the consistency of it.
I think the Cliff gels are ok. I like the raspberry one, and the expresso (yes, it's spelled like that) but I don't love that there is caffeine in the expresso one.
My go to gel that I prefer to use during longer runs is Hammer Gel. I like the apple pie, raspberry, and banana. They are easy to open, the right size to hold when I run, and I like the consistency because it's not too gritty and it's thick enough that I can just down it with water (or without water) and be ok. They are not the easiest to find though! After calling around to a few places in town, there is only one place that sells it near me apparently. The have two out of three of the favors that I prefer so that's good I guess! I have to go and get one more for Sunday but otherwise I'm feeling prepared gel wise!
>Choosing my outfit. I have learned in the past that having a comfy race outfit is key. I am working on an outfit to wear for Sunday but so far I know for sure it will consist of my under armor spandex shorts, my feetures moisture wicking socks, and my sweet sweet Brooks tennis shoes. Not sure about above the waist yet....I also run with music, but have struggled all my life with finding the right headphones that will stay in my ears whilst bouncing up and down on my run (first world problems). If you just went, "OMG Amy me tooooo!" in your head, then check these headphones out. These are the ONLY ones that I have found to work. I'm just sad that I haven't found them sooner! They are the Yurbuds Ironman Focus Headphones. I got them for $30 at Sports Authority on a Black Friday deal last year and they were worth every penny!
>Getting my playlist ready. I have recently switched over to using my iPhone to listen to music instead of my iPod shuffle. I am having a hard time updating the shuffle because my version of iTunes is so old and needs to be updated, but my computer is so old and has no hard drive left and so I am in the process of switching things over to an external hard drive to make room. Lol. There's a lot going on over here in my computerland.
Anyway, here are the songs that I'm running to lately and that will push me to go the distance on Sunday:
1. Animals by Martin Garrix
2. Brave by Sarah Bareilles
3. Crazy Kids by Ke$ha
4. Fancy by Iggy Azalea
5. *Feel Again by OneRepublic
6. Love Is an Open Door from Frozen
7. Love Me Again by John Newman
8. Love Runs Out by One Republic
9. Maps by Maroon 5 (Are you surprised this is on here? I super dislike Maroon 5...)
10. Misery Business by Paramore
11. Love the Way You Lie by Eminem
12. Sleazy by Ke$ha
13. Talk Dirty by Jason Derulo
14. Turn Down for What by DJ Snake & Lil Jon
15. *Baggage Claim by Miranda Lambert
16. *Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa
17. Get Away by Danny Gokey
18. *In Live With a Girl by Gavin DeGraw
19. King of Anything by Sara Bareilles
20. Ridin' Solo by Jason Derulo
21. Come Get It Bae by Pharrell Williams
22. Happy by Pharrell Williams
The *starred songs are my power songs. Sometimes I even skip them and listen to them when I really need them!
Welllll, that's that so far! Any good songs to recommend??
- Amy
