Bliss might be a bit of an exaggeration but my 20 mile run wasn’t too bad, except for the Gu – but I’ll get to that in a moment.
Things I did right this time:
1). Drank gallons of water for 2 days. I still had a concern about hydration because it was about 105 degrees on Friday and I had to run errands which meant that I sweated buckets. It is hard to offset a bucket of sweat with a bottle of water or 6 but I tried.
2). Started out easy.. I finally managed to go out at an easy pace
3). Ran 5 miles, walked 2 minutes. That really did seem to help overall.
4). Started out early. Okay – not as early as I had wanted to but if I had I just wouldn’t be me, now would I (raise your hand if a terrible joke just popped into your head).
5). Didn’t give in – I almost tossed the whole thing at 18 miles because I was sick of running but I didn’t. I didn’t feel that bad so I made myself keep going. I ended up home at 19.5 miles but that’s pretty close.
Gu – I took 3 packs of Gu with me, 2 chocolate, 1 orange. The flavor is okay with Gu. That isn’t the problem. It’s the texture. I have to pep talk myself into swallowing by chanting “It’s just like chocolate pudding!” But it isn’t and I gag every time. The orange isn’t as thick but I still have problems with it.
To answer your questions:
1). I poked the blister with a pin to drain it and flatten it out. It brought immediate relief.
2). Yes, it was worth it because….
I’m feeling pretty boring right now (that’s a euphemism for ‘hung over’) so I’ll just conclude by saying that what doesn’t kill us really does make us stronger and this run wasn’t too bad.
Elevation and splits:
21st-century-mom.com 
Hey, you did it. And not too bad, is not too bad. It’s 20 freakin miles!!
WOW…you’re my hero! Way to rock those 20 miles. I have to admit, I can only do the plain GU. Next time…I’m going to try frosting tubes. 😉
Suuhweeeet! Nice splits! AND you felt good! and you wanted to quit but didn’t!! and in the heat! yay you. The only way i can take gu is to gulp it all at once followed by a bottle of water. I think of it as medicine.
I drain my blisters too – Nearly always. Great job on running your 20. Woo hoo!
If you are sick and tired of Gu, try Hammer gels. I know that you close to “show time” so it may be too late to try something new. Their Raspberry gel tastes like raspberry jam. The Apple Cinnamon flavor is like apple pie filling. I love it and used it during my last marathon.
If you are sick and tired of Gu, try Hammer gels. I know that you close to “show time” so it may be too late to try something new. Their Raspberry gel tastes like raspberry jam. The Apple Cinnamon flavor is like apple pie filling. I love it and used it during my last marathon.
Well done!I am always amazed anyone can run that far..19.5 is close enough to 20 to touch and I think that’s awsome!!
I’m with Firefly and use Hammer Gel. True you are close to show time and switching may not be good. Hammer says to mix flavors and you get cool combinations, check out their web-site.I’m hoping you are using a fuel belt to carry water during your runs. I have a two and four bottle belt I use with a flask holster. So maybe try this, put the Gu in the flask, usually they can hold several packets, top off with water. The extra water helps thin out the Gu so it’s not at thick and it comes out of the flask easier. I even water down the Hammer with an ounce of water and it helps alot.
Great job on the 20! Not only physically but metally. Thanks for the blister advice-I got one yesterday running 10 in the rain.
Awesome 20 miles! I like the orange Gu, but then I just pretend like its one of those dreamsicles melted and warm, and little thick. Okay, so that probably doesn’t help! Well, the 20 sounds great, in the heat! WoW, better woman than I am!
I like Amy’s approach to Gu. For me it’s a little at a time. In fact I milk a packet for at least a mile before it’s gone. Having some liquid to wash it down helps too. Orange is easy . So is plain. I like the Lemon Lime now too. It wasn’t sharp like I feared. Few of the others appeal to me. MC Marathon serves Clif Bloks so I have to start getting accustomed to those.I couldn’t imagine wearing a fuel belt. I can barely stand wearing shorts.
Has anyone tried the energice gel? I freeze them then they go down like a popsicle.
Good job! Quitting is not an option, during training runs as well as the race. Just think of the bragging rights. 🙂
20 miles is an awesome accomplishment. Good job!
Excellent job! What an accomplishment!
That is the part of the marathon training where it gets tough. Up to 18, I’m golden. Every additional inch is exponentially tougher. Way to go.