The Good Old Days
Remember when you were young and prone to doing irresponsible things like drunk dialing? Well on Saturday night after a few glasses of wine I decided to run the Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon. I think my 21 year old self just rolled her eyes so hard she tipped over, excuse me while I go give her a hand.
Oh, also: What in the hell was I thinking?
Forget that, how about we start with what I am thinking right now: Registration is non-refundable/transferable. I guess this girl is going to learn how to run.
It made sense at the time (as most things do after a few glasses of Tempranillo). You see Garrett and I LOVE Seattle and were looking for an excuse to go back this year. Plus we happened to be planning not only vacations for the year but also the races we wanted to challenge ourselves to run. So it just seemed… um, efficient? And we signed up.
And then the wine buzz wore off I began to panic.
Presently I’m not a total tragedy, I completed a 5k in November so I know I can run 3 miles. I’m CrossFitting 4 days a week so my endurance is always getting a good hard work out. But I’m almost certain I won’t be able to run the other 10 on adrenaline so that is where I need you come in. I mean I guess this is where I need Hal Higdon to come in too, but with 24 weeks to prepare I am less worried about the running part and more worried about other random abstract things.
Behold:
*How can I make sure I don’t injure myself like a dork?
*Any of you Primal/Paleo folks ever do this? I’m sort of in a talespin because I have just finally gotten to a point where my diet feels intuitive and now I’m adding running 16+ miles every week. What the hell do I eat?
*Running tights. What do they do, exactly? And how lumpy and offensive will my legs look in them? Does this matter? Do you get panty lines?
*Do I really need to fork over $128 for a Garmin while I’m training? Talk to me.
*Music or No Music?
*Any other insider tips?
I remember a while back Linda wrote a post (maybe it was on her personal blog) about making shirts with your name on them so people can cheer you on and I LOVE ideas like this. I don’t even know what I don’t know. Tell me more, people!
Or better yet tell me you are going to run this race too. Or that you feel like vacationing in Seattle this summer while also pushing yourself to run a race. I’ve talked 4 other friends into it so far. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a Seattle Bodies in Motivation Happy Hour? We could all get so buzzed that we sign up for Iron Man!
Who’s with me?
January 12th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
On the injuring yourself – just take it slow. Many people injure themselves from doing too much and not listening to their bodies. That being said, some injuries just happen – I worried about falling while running this entire pregnancy, and then I fell down a staircase while cleaning my house. So….
Running tights are great, in my opinion, for eliminating chafing and also provide support for your muscles during the winter. You certainly don’t have to wear them – but I don’t know of any other apparel ideas that would provide you the wicking that something like a pair of dri-fit tights will (on long runs, getting your legs wet can be miserable). I think EVERYONE feels self-conscious in running tights.
On the paleo diet/running part – well, I can’t wait to see what people say here. I have done a ton of research on starting a similar eating plan after I have this baby – and don’t know how to incorporate the long distance running. I have heard from some people that maintain the diet except for before and after their long runs (10 miles, plus) and then they incorporate carbs into their diets.
I am super-tempted to run this race too. I am in Portland, and it is one of the only ones scheduled that will give me enough time to possibly run it after I have the baby. So, we will see. Or I could do what you did, and commit now – but I don’t know if I am that brave (and I can’t drink wine before I register, sadly).
January 12th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Aah, good ol’ demon alcohol. That is exactlyhow I ended up running my first 10k race a few years ago. And then I got pregnant and running made me spew (although, such actions as breathing made me vom, so…)
I can’t answer any of your questions, just wanted to popin and give you a virtual high five.
January 12th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
No underwear! Every seam or piece of material you put next to your body is a vector for chafing, and most workout clothes are designed to be worn without underwear.
Katherine’s right about tights from a chafing and support perspective. If you feel self-conscious, you can put a pair of running shorts OVER them. I see that all the time. Or one of those kicky skirts, if you’re girlily-inclined.
If you’re an information junky, a Garmin can be a ton of fun. But not at all necessary. (However, if you ARE an information junky, you may find yourself mapping out the distance of your run after you run it, and the Garmin saves you from all that nonsense.) I have an old Garmin Forerunner 205, which is ancient but perfectly usable and works great for my purposes, and can be gotten relatively cheap on amazon.
Music or no music is a very touchy topic, and there are zealots on both sides. You might look at the rules for the event and see if they allow mp3 players, and bear that in mind as you potentially get addicted to running with one. Or do some google searches and read the debates on both sides, if you’re into a good flame war.
Can’t wait to hear about your training!
January 12th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Runners World has a free smart coach that you can enter past race info and your race date into and it will set out a schedule for you – you can choose the intensity level, too. If you start now the build up will be pretty gradual so you should be able to do it without any major injury.
I don’t run with a Garmin but I do use the Nike+ and that helps (just make sure you actually calibrate it to one of your runs – the max distance for a cal run is 1 mile and I think that will give you the best accuracy).
I prefer tights to shorts because I am always messing with shorts.
January 12th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Ooh, this is exciting! Does your area have a running club you can join? If so, I say go for it – you’ll meet lots of cool people and maybe find some company for your longer runs.
I second the running tights with shorts over them!
Finally, don’t forget to stretch after every run. Stretch for longer than you think you need to. Good luck!
January 12th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Ok, so I tried to keep Paleo when I was Ironman training and found myself seriously lacking in energy. BUT! This was only true for training days over 2 hours, which I’d be surprised if they cropped up in a half mary training plan. So you may do just fine w/ Primal/paleo. Honestly, I would not think too much about it – just keep eating the way you are eating, and if you find yourself hungry or low on energy, eat more of those things that you are eating.
If you find you need more carby starchy stuff for energy, look to sweet potatoes – that might be enough. You will be getting some sugars from gatoraid/gu’s, (if you choose to use them; for me, I found I like having extra food on runs if the run is over an hour), and so you shouldn’t need to supplement your diet.
Have fun! The half marathon is my FAVORITE distance!
January 12th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Holly awesome goal. I did my first half marathon in January 2009, Carlsbad Half Marathon. I have pics on my FB. I’ll send you a great training schedule.
I wore running shorts and used this stuff called Glide. It looks like a deodorant stick but its stuff to prevent chaffing. I used it between my legs, arm pits, between my toes, and around my sports bra. As you train you’ll learn the spots you need to put it. It’s much cheaper than buying outfits that you’ll probably never wear again (unless you really take on running). I also had to buy toe socks because my toes rubbed and created blisters. My husband just bought those toe shoes…they are like running bear foot and he says it feels like you’re gliding…also it forces you to use muscles in your legs you didn’t know excited. anyway I think those are for more advanced runners.
We did buy those belts for water and they worked well, I just didn’t drink as much as I should have.
I recommend going to a running store and talking to the experts and joining a running club, you learning some really great things.
It was an amazing experience and the feeling after wards is unexplainable. Jenn Marsh ran the Carlsbad Half Marathon with us, she of course smoked me! I’ll send her a message to give you advise too. I also know that Jenn Torres trained and ran the Cowtown Half Marathon so you would be in GREAT company once you’ve checked this off your bucket list.
Good Luck and let me know how it goes…When is the race? Being in Portland now maybe we’ll come and cheer you on…I don’t think I’ll be ready to run a half marathon this year with the baby coming in May.
January 12th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
I am running my first half this year! May 29th in Coeur d’Alene, ID. And I’m training for it while staying paleo.
Still working out my training plans, but I really liked the one that Linda posted (as a Flickr post, I think) and I’m going to do Wendler’s 5/3/1 for my strength stuff since I’m no longer Crossfitting.
I plan to use sweet potatoes as a primary high carb source, and am thinking about utilizing some GU during my long runs as well.
This podcast with Nell Stephenson was helpful as far as fueling for endurance: http://triswimcoachonline.com/tri/interview-with-ironman-triathletepaleo-dieter-nell-stephenson-podcast-31/ and I’ll definitely be checking out The Paleo Diet for Athletes for more recommendations on fueling… summary is here: http://www.trainingbible.com/pdf/Paleo_for_Athletes_Cliff_Notes.pdf
January 13th, 2011 at 6:21 am
Hi there!
I am super-bossy and know EVERYTHING (he he!) so I feel obligated to answer all your questions. FWIW, drunk registering for the San Antonio R&R Half back in 2009 is what has lead to me being, today, one of those obnoxious runners who talks, thinks, lives and breathes running. But hey, it keeps me off the couch.
*Running tights. What do they do, exactly? And how lumpy and offensive will my legs look in them? Does this matter? Do you get panty lines?
Running tights will keep your legs warm, and if you get fancy ones that do stuff like compression, they might help with other things like keeping your knees in line, maybe? They make you look tough, and you won’t get panty lines because you don’t wear panties under them.
*Do I really need to fork over $128 for a Garmin while I’m training? Talk to me.
I love my Garmin. I have the Forerunner 305, and I obsess over every little detail it tells me, and rejoice when I learn how to make it tell me even little details.
*Music or No Music?
I listen to music on long runs by myself. But short runs, or runs with people, I keep it off. Or sometimes super-low in one ear when I am fatigued and tired of the chit-chat. But you have to be able to hear your Garmin send up alerts. Too fast! Too slow! Walk break!
*Any other insider tips?
I joined a running group – it’s a Galloway group – and it is the best thing I ever did fitness-wise. I am not a group joiner, I am a LONER…and I would never in a million years get up and run in the dark and cold at 5:00 a.m. if I didn’t have my group. I highly recommend finding a group of people for motivation and accountability. It’s like a cult, a friendly, helpful cult.
January 13th, 2011 at 9:48 am
I don’t ever run very far/long, but I will say that sometimes running tights with an adorable running skirt over them are the only things that make me get my ass off the couch. It’s nice to look down from time to time and see your thigh muscles through the tights with each stride. Definitely helps me get through the last few miles.
Sort of gross, but the ones I have (Athleta CYA tights) smell AWFUL after wearing them once so plan to buy several pairs.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I ran the Rock and Roll Seattle half last summer, and it was a blast. That is a seriously well-supported race. Personally, I don’t think you’ll need music. After the first two miles, the scenery is great, and there are a lot of cheering crowds along the way to keep your energy up. Plus the bands every other mile or so.
I would strongly suggest some body glide. I still have marks from where my sports bra, shirt collar, and zipper pocket on my capris hit, and those were never problem spots even on my 10 mile run.
I also prefer running with a water backpack so that I don’t have to try to do the whole water station juggle dance. Also because I spill water all over myself when I try to drink from a cup while running. See chafing issues above.
Gu was a big help for me, especially since I was too nervous to eat much that morning. I had one before the race and one halfway through, and the second one helped me feel really good miles 8-12. (I imagine that Gu is not paleo… but, hey, you’re running 13 miles)
Re: diet in general… I don’t eat paleo, but I don’t eat a lot of carbs in general, and I didn’t notice much difference in my energy when I’d had a carb heavy meal. Mostly, I just needed to make sure that I was eating enough overall so that I didn’t get dead legs.
Oh, and I have super tight calves and IT band, and my foam roller is my best friend.
February 7th, 2011 at 11:08 am
Running shorts over the tights!