-Wearing the camelback.\u00a0 I think from now on I get myself a real one, that has pockets and such, and train and race with it (maybe not for 5 or 10ks, but ya know).\u00a0 It was so nice not to have to stop for water stations if I didn’t want to.<\/p>\n
-Not restricting calories during training.\u00a0 Eating tons of healthy food made me feel strong.\u00a0 Eating other tons of not so healthy food probably didn’t do much good, but I’ll work on that next time.\u00a0 I’m anticipating about a month at least to diet off what I gained or more, but as of right now, it was worth it.<\/p>\n
-Racing smart and pulling back a bit at the end of the race.\u00a0 While I’m not wrecked today, I still DEFINITELY have a cough since I went off the OTC meds, my legs are sore in completely different ways than normal after-run, and oddly enough I have a rash (?).\u00a0 These are all signs that going for it might have meant a few days (or more) laid up in bed or worse.\u00a0 And considering where my heart rate was at, it’s not as if I was pulling back all that much.<\/p>\n
-Training the way I did.\u00a0 On the 3 miles I was feeling good and the course was cooperating, I could definitely see the potential of a sub 2 hour half.\u00a0 If it was my day.\u00a0 And fo sho’ it wasn’t my day, but still.\u00a0 Someday, perhaps.<\/p>\n
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What I would change:<\/strong><\/p>\n -Being sick.\u00a0 Obviously.\u00a0 I need to remember that racing in February is a gamble.<\/p>\n -Different shoes.\u00a0 Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED the shoes I had.\u00a0 They were comfy, fast, and looked way less dorky than the norm.\u00a0 However, they just didn’t hold up well in a long, tough road race.\u00a0 I think I need more cushion.\u00a0 I will be getting another pair when they die for short races and speedwork, but will be breaking in something new for long runs soon.\u00a0 Yes, I will finally get out of the kiddie pool and finally get two pairs of running shoes.<\/p>\n -Hills.\u00a0 I need to start doing hill work.\u00a0 Even if it’s on the treadmill.\u00a0 I say this every race, and then seem to forget about it.\u00a0 Because I hate hills a lot.\u00a0 Maybe I wouldn’t hate them if I conquered them…hmmm?\u00a0 I could be that smug runner that sails by everyone, thinking how superior I was because I knew how to run hills better…<\/p>\n -Training outside more.\u00a0 I think my tooties were a little pampered with all the treadmill work.\u00a0 I also lucked out that we had good weather, if it was under 40 and icky I would have been screwed – I should have trained in crappy weather at least once.\u00a0 I can suck it up to heat train just fine, but cold train?\u00a0 Heebie jeebies.<\/p>\n So there.\u00a0 Even today, I’m going to call the race a success with the hand that was dealt to me.\u00a0 Maybe I’ll try another half next April, but that’s far away.<\/p>\n What’s Next:<\/strong><\/p>\n The short version – for the next week – whatever I feel like.\u00a0 After that, more structure.<\/p>\n Food:<\/p>\n This week, I’m going to a) clean up my eating in terms of quality and b) go back to tracking my food, but not until the end of the day or the next morning.\u00a0 I’m not looking to cut portions just yet, but I’d like an idea of where I’m at.\u00a0 Next week, I’ll get on the scale, start tracking for real, and set myself up with a plan to take off how much ever I am over 155.<\/p>\n Exercise:<\/p>\n The great thing about the focused running is – I’m not burnt out on it!\u00a0 I’m actually looking forward to a run tomorrow!\u00a0 I’m thinking a nice, easy 5k and some yoga.\u00a0 Wednesday, maybe some arc trainer and lifting heavy stuff at the gym.\u00a0 We shall see what else follows this week.\u00a0 I’m not worried about it.\u00a0 I just know that I’m looking forward to not taking a month off running, and also not having to do the same focused workouts each week.\u00a0 Starting next week I am going to get back to a regular schedule of something, and by next weekend, I hope to do another long run.\u00a0 Easy.\u00a0 Whatever pace I want.<\/p>\n Races:<\/p>\n I think I want to do this<\/a> for my birthday weekend in a few weeks.<\/p>\n Gonna do this<\/a> with Zliten as a tune up for…<\/p>\n …doing THIS<\/a> with Zliten.<\/p>\n Then, after a long time and training, I plan to be insane and do THIS<\/a>.<\/p>\n Maybe I’ll throw some 5ks or 10ks or something else fun in there for good measure, but that’s the plans.<\/p>\n What’s up for you on the racing horizon, runners?\u00a0 What’s your favorite length?\u00a0 What else are you training for?\u00a0 If you were my trainer, what would you tell me to try next since I don’t have any major training until August?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.fukung.net\/images\/22077\/e52a5c9def307603616a83ed3cc03d9f.jpg\")
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