tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217670599100952035.post9009764902186701694..comments2024-01-23T05:10:35.472-05:00Comments on Reading, Running, and Red Sox: Bad Runsgibsonmeigshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16094122509371844728noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217670599100952035.post-20359008509963459742011-08-18T14:50:25.191-04:002011-08-18T14:50:25.191-04:00i've been thinking about this a lot lately, ha...i've been thinking about this a lot lately, having had some bad runs myself.<br /><br />i think the primary factor that affects my bad runs is going out too fast. the first two miles dictate the pace for the entire run, no matter how far i go. if i go out too fast, i end up crashing towards the end of the run, struggling through the last couple miles and slowing to a crawl. maintaining a slower pace for longer runs is something i struggle with and am working hard to remedy (mostly using an HRM, as you both know).<br /><br />heat and hydration are the next biggest factor. it seems that i can run for about an hour and a half without needing water, if i'm properly hydrated to begin with. the heat doesn't necessarily affect my energy levels all that much, but if i am not hydrated enough, i sweat so much that i get dehydrated well before the run is complete. i try to take on 48-64 ounces of water leading up to a run, and that seems to take care of the 1:30. any more than that is uncomfortable.<br /><br />food does come into play, but i don't think i've run far enough yet for it to really play a factor. when it does, i will probably just use gels.<br /><br />sleep also seems to affect me. even more so than beer or whatever else i might consume the night before (carbo loading). if i'm extra tired, i tend to feel fine up to a particular distance short of a "long run" and then hit a wall (not THE wall, but just a wall) for the last part of the run. i also seem to get more sore if i am tired.<br /><br />in fact, the most telling characteristic of a bad run for me is the recovery. the other day for example, i went out and pushed it... it FELT awful, but it wasn't a bad run, and i recovered after a day of rest. a couple runs before that, i was over tired and under hydrated, running in the heat. i felt awful on the run and was sore for 2 days afterward, lacking energy and feeling in a generally sour mood.<br /><br />that leads me to a question (maybe worthy of a post): what is your recovery regimen, but short terms (right after a run) and for the day(s) after (i.e. how much rest, what kind of activities do you avoid, seek out, etc...).erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02002087469616786196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217670599100952035.post-64893145989992300392011-08-16T13:25:56.503-04:002011-08-16T13:25:56.503-04:00Good post. I too tend to try and forget bad runs a...Good post. I too tend to try and forget bad runs as quickly as possible. Now that i'm taking my training more seriously, I ponder the reasons for them more often, but it's quite natural for a body to try and ignore something that's caused it pain. I've got a few problem areas i'll be pondering blog-fashion recently; perhaps together we can help each other out as we work towards a marathon.gibsonmeigshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16094122509371844728noreply@blogger.com