Long Run 101

Since my last post was about how to fail at running, here's a post about succeeding...on your long run.

My long run last week, which was 18 miles, reminded me of a lot of things I'd forgotten since I last did long runs that were approaching the 20 mile mark.

Fuel. I went years without using fuel on my long runs. Once I found a fuel my stomach can handle, it made a huge difference in how much energy I have at the end of my runs. On my 16 miler the previous week, I noticed how hard it felt between miles 8-10. I typically take a GU before I hit mile 8 for this very reason. So on my 18 miler, I GUed at 7.5 and 13.

Take the good with the bad. There will be both. My first 15 miles were awesome. I kept thinking I was due for a good long run and that it was finally happening. Then the last three miles happened. They were miserable. Straight into the wind on legs that were starting to feel the first 15. I just had to remember it would ultimately make me stronger.

Stick to your routine. In the past, I ate the same things the day before my long runs and hydrated the same way. I got out of the habit but decided last week to reinstate the routine. I don't know how much of it is physical and how much is mental, but if something works, don't fix it.

Tomorrow I'll put these three things to the test again, but it's a drop back week so my long run is a little shorter. Then it's time for 20 next week!

Tomorrow I'm not running alone, which always makes it seem a little (and sometimes a lot) easier.

Happy Friday!