I had a doctor's appointment that Monday, so I took the entire day off from work. The temperature has been declining here in NC, so I decided to make my run happen outside. I had planned to get up early and run but decided I would head to the park after my doctor's appointment. The office is close to Umstead State Park. After my appointment, I headed out to the park and off to my run. Seriously, it was hell. Never having been to the park before, I didn't know too much about it. The first 2.something miles where awful. It was on a trail through the woods and majorly hilly. When I finally got to the flat portion of the trail, I was already exhausted. It's a bridle trail, so it was unpaved but not mountain trails. The trail still became pretty hilly. I got to a point that I just could not do another hill and figured I'd take a walk break. Walk breaks just don't work for me though. I couldn't really start back, especially with another huge incline looming. I only made it 6 miles. Now I am proud of that considering it was damn hilly, scary on the trails (I have a history of twisting my ankles), no water, etc.
All of this to say, I was NOT prepared for my longest long run. I didn't take any water on the run. I didn't take my inhaler (which I have to utilize more often if I'm dealing with hills and/or heat). I didn't have any mid-run fuel. Since I'm scheduling this post, my next long run was supposed to be 9 miles on Sunday. I ran by REI and stocked up on this...
[GU gels, PowerBar Energy Gel, Chocolate Agave #9 Gel, Jelly Belly Sports Beans, and Cliff Shot Bloks]
I also checked REI for a good running belt to keep items like my phone (still don't have a sports arm band to fit my iPhone), inhaler, trail maps (since trails/routes in Raleigh are new to me), GUs, etc. Those things are freaking expensive there. No chance I'm dishing out $30 when I can likely find one for $20 MAX on amazon. Here are a few I spotted on amazon:
[Nathan Shadow Pak $16.80: Not sure if it will be big enough to fit everything]
[FuelBelt Distance Runner Waistpack $20: Too big?]
This is the one I fell in love with at REI:
[Amphipod AirFlow Endurance Waistpack, $27 at REI, $24, here]
I'm going to attempt running with my water bottle in hand and possibly inhaler in my shorts pocket.
What are your favorite running belts?
Favorite mid-run fuels?
Also, I posted on the other blog about my training progress!
Edit: I did it! I ran 9 miles on Sunday and could not be more proud of myself! That's a post for another time though!
Edit: I did it! I ran 9 miles on Sunday and could not be more proud of myself! That's a post for another time though!
7 comments:
Congrats on your 9 miles!! What an awesome achievement. Can't wait to read about it soon!
Idk if you bought a belt yet, but i HIGHLY recommend finding one with a velcro closure! It's so much easier to adjust, even while running. I don't have a plain belt like that, but my nathan fuel belt is velcro and very comfortable/easy to adjust.
Yeah!!!!!!! 9 miles is awesome!
I need to find something I can run with, but even if my hair is loose and hitting me on the back on the neck I freak out a little. I already have enough jiggling around my middle section...I would probably flip if I had to add a belt to that, too!
I've seen a lot of people talk about SPI Belts, and they look like they fit a big but don't jiggle too much.
And congrats on 9!! That's fantastic! I definitely don't think I could trail run...it seems like I have enough of a time running on concrete.
Woohoo 9 miles!!
I have to say I'm a big fan of my spi belt. It was $20 at a race expo and it fits my camera, GUs, extra iPhod, and chapstick with room to spare.
The first time I wore it was during a half marathon and I didn't have any problems.
holy heck! you are superwoman! i would never even get to that point to attempt a long, LONG run! so proud! and please... bring your inhaler along... we don't want you passing out!!!
Good job on your 9 miles! Can't wait to read the blog report. :)
I've tried fuel belts, but they just get on my nerves.
I have SPI Belt, it's not bad. I guess I have nothing to compare it too!
I've used granola bars, skittles, sports beans, hammer gels...the whole gamut.. guess it depends what I have on hand as well as what I am in the mood for!
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