Just Another Runner

Last weekend I did my scheduled 32K long run. It was very hard but it was a lot better than my previous long run - a scheduled 27K but I was only able to do a little over 25K. My wife even noticed that I looked a lot better than the last time. So, what made the difference? Here's what I think. Nutrition 1. During my scheduled 27K long run, I was also doing Maffetone's Two-week Test, which is basically a no-carb diet for two weeks. Bad idea when doing really long runs. This time, starting two days prior to the long run, I carbo-loaded and hydrated with Gatorade. 2. During my scheduled 27K long run, I started eating only after one and a half hours. This time, I started eating after 45 minutes, and every hour after that. Also, this time, I ate a whole chocolate bar (Choco Mucho Dark Chocolate). Aside from being yummier than Sport Beans or Nutri Bar, it made me happier and it made me look forward to the next meal. I based my nutrition schedule on this Runner's Wor

I have this routine after a run - whether good or bad, of silently thanking everyone and everything involved in the run. Like for my 32K long run this morning, I thank the following ... First, I thank God for being able to run, for giving me the strength to finish my run, for the very nice weather, and for keeping my wife and me safe and injury free. Next, I thank my running buddy - my wife, for running the first 18K with me, and then waiting patiently for me to finish my run. Do you know of a wife who will wait for 3 hours and not start World War 3? If yes, good for you if she's your wife. I also thank the different parts of my body ... I thank my feet for not getting blisters. I thank my toenails for all being accounted for. I thank my plantar fascia for having no signs of plantar fasciitis (knock on wood). I thank my legs for holding up and not cramping. I also thank my gear ... I thank my shoes for being uncharacteristically dry. You weren't annoyingl

"Why worry about these small, small things? I don’t stress. You never hear of anyone dying of happiness.” - Fauja Singh, at 100, the world's oldest marathoner

At this final stage of my marathon training, more than ever is my need for motivation and positive thinking. A few weeks back, I did my longest run ever, and my next and last two will all be my longest runs to date (a 32K and a 37K) It was tough and it's going to get tougher, both physically and mentally. I have been training for the past several months for my first marathon - the QC International Marathon this December. To increase my chances of finishing this marathon, mental training is now as important as my physical training. I have to train myself to believe that I can do it. I have to believe that I have what it takes. And I have to have the right attitude to make it happen. Helping me in this mental training is the book, "Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer (Whitsett, Dolgener, Kole)." The book is based on a 'marathon class' that was offered in the University of Northern Iowa. It contains sixteen chapters which covers one week of the sixteen week