Sunday is my "long training run" day. I generally run 6 to 11 miles on Sunday when training for a half marathon. I was a little worried and anxious about this run, since this is my longest training run I have done in about 7 months and because of my knee hurting on my short run Friday morning. But I survived. It was slow, but I finished and that's what matters.
Fueling for (and during) this run, I decided to stick with what I know works. It took me a
long time to figure what doesn't and doesn't work for me when it comes to fueling for long runs. I am prone to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and migraines, so what I eat and drink is a fine balancing act. I have slowly switched it up to make it fall in line with my new way of eating. When I first started running, my pre-run food (for runs over 6 miles or longer) was a piece of toast with a half tablespoon peanut butter (at the time, that was Jif), a banana, and Propel Zero Water Mix-in. As I transitioned to a more clean eating lifestyle I switched to a more natural peanut butter, and eventually to an all organic peanut butter with two ingredients, peanuts and sea salt. The bread went from generic wheat, to multi-grain, to organic multi-grain, to bread from a local bakery that used just 5 ingredients. Then Hubby I gave up bread so I started putting the peanut butter on the banana. Then we when we started eating Paleo, I switched to almond butter.
During my runs I have been listening to the Balanced Bites Podcast, and coincidentally the podcast that I listened today during my run, the hosts were answering a question about fueling during long workouts. The response to the question made me feel much better about my choice. They said that the individual had to go with what works, and if gels worked, then use it. Just be sure the pre-workout and post-workout foods were Paleo.
So, at the five mile mark, I used the gel. What I did not expect, was how I would feel eating a big dose of sugar after being sugar-free for 7 days. About 10 to 15 minutes after I ate the gel, I realized my stomach was a bit upset. Not bad, but noticeable. That reaction has me rethinking about what I use to fuel during the run. I may need reconsider my options.
After the run I usually have a 1/2 to a whole banana and another Propel Water mix-in, which I did today. The Propel helps me to get the electrolytes I need, but today was the first time I noticed just how sweet that is! Which means after just 7 days, my taste buds have changed enough for foods I used to eat regulary, to taste much sweeter.
I'm very happy I decided to do this detox because I am learning so much about myself and about how my body reacts to different foods.
Just two more weeks to go...
No comments:
Post a Comment