Last week at work someone asked me what plans I had for the weekend. My reply? “I get to run 18 miles on Saturday”. Yea, I definitely got quite a look about that statement. All week I was seriously excited for my long run. I’m not sure what is was- probably a combination of the nice weather, a good streak of runs lately, and the excitement of getting my long run distance up to 18. While training for the Raleigh marathon last spring my longest run was 18 miles, so now I know I can do a marathon without hitting the 20 mile mark (even though I would prefer to get one in).
Lake Montabello from a spring training run, also ran there during the 18 this weekend
So anyway, I was all excited about my long run. We had signed up for another training run with Falls Road Running which took us through most of the Baltimore half marathon course. The run started a few miles from where we live so we ran 3 miles to get to the start, and then ran 15 with the group for a total of 18 miles. Rob and I ran together the whole time (we never do) and it was…interesting:)
As I shared the yesterday, it was a hilly course. Running this route definitely brought back memories of running the Baltimore full last year, when I totally crashed around mile 16 and just couldn’t get back into it. This weekend being back on the course reminded me of how challenging it is. I think compared to Raleigh, which is also very hilly, this course has hill after hill going up, so you never really get the benefit of the downhill until the end. In Raleigh, it seemed like there was always an equal downhill following an uphill, if that makes sense?
I was also having some major stomach issues, which didn’t help things. I kept telling Rob to go ahead of me, but he didn’t which meant I had to keep up with him. Now that it’s over I’m glad that I ran that pace but at the time it wasn’t fun. I have been trying to figure out if my stomach problems were due to what I ate but I really didn’t eat anything weird or different, so I hopefully it was just a one time thing. This made fueling during the run tricky because I felt like I needed something but didn’t want to risk making things worse. I ended up taking Powerbar energy blends at miles 7.5 and 15 and they didn’t make things any worse than they already were. This is the only fuel I have used during training runs this cycle and I’ve really been liking them.
When the run was finally over I did the myrtle routine, some light stretching, and foam rolled while drinking a smoothie. We got some errands done and then I spent the afternoon relaxing. We shared a bottle of wine at dinner and I honestly thought I was going to fall asleep at the table. I think the running has made me exhausted lately!
On Sunday morning I made the best decision ever- Rob got up and went to watch TV in the other room, but I decided to lay in bed with coffee and read blogs. I never do this and it was awesome. I went through all the posts I have missed and even though there was no way I could comment on everything I at least got caught up on what has been going on with everyone!
After another somewhat busy Sunday, I hope to relax on the couch with a glass of wine after dinner, setting the mood for a good week. This is already chilling in the fridge:
Sometimes, the simplest weekends can be the most marvelous. While its fun to travel and see people, it always feels SO good to be productive at home and just relax!
What is your favorite simple way to spend a weekend?
What kinds of problems have you faced on a long run?
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I brought my computer and coffee into bed over the weekend too! It was wonderful. I rarely get the chance to do it but when I do, it makes me real happy.
It was such a nice treat! I am also on the go so spending that time to relax and take the morning slow felt great!
I love sitting in my bed and reading blogs – it’s so cozy! That sure does sound like a tough run and it’s so nice that Rob stayed with you! I’m not so sure I’d enjoy the Baltimore marathon. I’ll keep that one on the back burner for right now 😛
Haha I don’t blame you! I am glad I did it but I don’t ever think I will run it again with a goal in mind (maybe just for fun).
I’ve been trying to keep my weekends pretty simple of late, and this weekend was a perfect example of it–food, friends, time with Alex, a good run, some good drinks, and plenty of TV. Just what the doctored ordered (for the real doctor, who needed some R and R as well!).
Haha I’m glad that you both got some rest this weekend! Sounds like your weekend had a nice balance of everything good without being too overwhelming either!
My favorite fuel! It’s still been working for me so I’m sticking with it. An 18 miler with hills with the heat this weekend sounds intense. I’ve never run more than 4 miles with my husband so 18 would certainly be interesting!
It was definitely interesting! I felt like any frustration I had about the run was taken out on him. Not a great strategy, but I think running together is a good test of the strength of a marriage:)
Guh, stomach pains on long runs are the worst!!! Sorry you were hurting, good job for plowing though!!
Your weekend sounds super nice! I love doing things that I consider wasting time on normal days–and not feeling guilty about it. Somehow, and very ironically, it’s refreshing!
Have a great week missy!
Very true! Sometimes you just need to “waste time” rather than constantly be on the go and productive.
Stomach issues are the worst, I had them on my first 5k and it was horrible! I normally tend to experience stomach issues on shorter runs for some reason!? Probably because I’m moving much faster.
Love having a glass of wine after dinner! I’m more of a fan of red wine though!
I usually turn to the red wine, too! I was just in the mood to change things up last night. I feel like I am pretty lucky that I usually don’t have stomach problems while I run, and I really hope they don’t start to become a regular thing!
I was excited for my long run this weekend, too! I hate 18 as well. Mine was for another reason, though! I got three hours all to myself while my future in laws visited. It was heaven. I definitely enjoy a wine after a long run, too!
I don’t know if I have ever heard anyone describe an 18 miler as “heaven”! But that’s great that you got some time to yourself:)
Our long runs were so similar! Stomach issues, BLA!!!! I didn’t eat anything weird either and I was off! And don’t worry, I was in bed at exactly 9:00pm, lol. On Saturday. Lammmeeeeeooo.
The wines look GREAT! I made myself a lovely Cosmo and fell asleep in it. But that one sip was great, lol!!!
Catching up with blogs feels great after a while and I know exactly how you feel…it gets overwhelming to read them all at once and try to comment on All The Posts. I think if I DIDNT spend some time once a week trying to catch up, I would feel like I’m missing out though!
Great run!!!
I agree that I would feel like I was missing out if I didn’t read all the blogs! But it can be really time consuming so I realized its not worth getting stressed about.
Hopefully there wont’ be any stomach issues on this weekend’s long runs! But I’m sure there will be wine and/or cosmos after!
I’ve been wanting to try those powerade packs. Glad to hear you like them! And I’m supposed to be doing myrtles per my coach, but I’ve been so bad about them. So smart of you to do them after your long run.
At first I didn’t get why the myrtle routine was useful (since you only do like 8 reps) but I have found that it really helps with mobility! Especially in the hips which is my biggest problem area.
Coffee + catching up on blogs is my favorite morning activity! Much better than reading the news somedays! 🙂
My biggest long run issue is definitely not eating soon enough. I tend to wait too long and end up paying for it. I’ve been making a conscious effort to be better about it so that I don’t end up in a bad spot next weekend at the marathon!
It’s good that you are aware of it, and I’m sure you will have it figured out for your race. Can’t wait to hear how it goes!!!
Coffee & catching up on blogs is seriously the best! I usually don’t have too many issues on my long runs, but afterwards my stomach usually does not like me. Great job on getting through what sounds like a super tough 18!
Thanks! My stomach felt ok after the run, it was just during it (like the first 15 miles) it felt off. Not sure what it was from, but hoping it doesn’t happen again!
Great job on your long run, despite having some stomach issues. I have tried those powerbar blends and they do seem to be very easy on the stomach. Can never go wrong with a glass of wine to round put the weekend:)
Thanks Lacey! I think since the powerbar blends are all natural they are easier than products like Gu.