I just finished training and running my first ever 5k race this past week (seriously, how did I manage to skip that distance and go straight for the 10k, half marathon and relay races??). But soon, I’ll be undertaking some serious half marathon training thanks to a training plan provided to me by my half marathon guru, Janice. If you’ll remember from my first half marathon last year, I didn’t exactly train myself up. I don’t intend to go that route again this time (ha, ha! Route! Running…route? Yes?….ok nevermind).
One thing I both look forward to and dread all at the same time is the weekend long run. Love because I can run in the morning as hubby is home to mind the kidlets. Love because it’s time away from my kids and time all to myself. Love because I’m a nerd and love planning out running routes ahead of time. Dread because…well…long run….get it? I always have a bit of a tough time making sure I’m prepared as I set out for an hour or more on the pavement. I prefer to run with just my iPod and nothing else (though I really should invest in a sport ID). I know I’m not alone in that I have a pre-long run routine that I have to do in order to get out the door.
Here are some of the things I do (I also do many of these things before a race as well):
- Fuel with toast or half a bagel with nut butter, coffee and a glass of water.
-Poop. Yes, I said poop on my big girl blog. Trust me. If you don’t visit what I affectionately refer to as the Thunder Box before a long run, especially first thing in the morning, the run ain’t gonna go as planned. At least it doesn’t for me. Added info is that the coffee helps…uh…move stuff along.
-Charge up the Garmin and iPod the night before with play list or podcast ready to go. With 2 little kids at home, I have to be quick to get out the door or run the risk of not getting out at all.
-Check the weather. Especially important in summer and the dead of winter when you want to ensure you’re dressed properly for the conditions.
-Running route established the night before (giddily, I might add).
Next week, I’ll feature some other tips and suggestions from some very awesome FitFluential Runners on how they prepare themselves for those high mileage runs.
Thanks for sharing! (And that includes the poop!)
haha. The thunder box. I immediately drink cold water in the morning followed by coffee to help move thins along.
I’m SO bad at charging my Garmin!! Like really bad – half of my runs are those where I wake up, realize it’s dead, vow to charge it next time and run without it.
ROFL “Thunder Box”
love the info!
Ha!!! I love these tips!
Is it sad that the only thing I know about running is that you should always visit the “thunder box” before heading out? LOL Great tips!
LOVE!
I am slowly getting back into training this month, and (eek) I am gearing up to start training for my full marathon in the fall. So LONG run tips are always amazing! Great to see how other people get pumped for their miles!
YAY DISTANCE!
I am so glad to hear you’re running a full this fall! Whoo hoo!!
Awesome tips, thanks!!
Great tips! It’s sooo hot out that not much exercise can be done outdoors nowadays unless I want to go out at the crack of dawn. You make me want to get out there and hit the pavement though!
Oh and I totally know what you mean by prepping everything the night before or it ain’t happening. That’s how it works for me as well!
Love these tips… especially the thunder box
I speak only the truth
Great tips. I never remember to charge my devices until right before it’s time to go. So frustrating!
I have had way too many runs where my garmin or my music dies within the first 5 minutes and I spend the rest of my run kicking myself for not charging.
Great tips! Especially about charging and mapping everything the night before. Such a help to get out the door in the morning that way!
OMG. You wrote about poop. Way more brave than I am, even if it was a short paragraph. Yes, that is important and it can instantly ruin a morning run, or any run.
That’s all I’m going to say and I’m leaving now.
Oh I totally went there. No runner should ever suffer the surprise or embarrassment of the runner’s deuce. Yup..went there too.
I do my best running when I put the kids to bed and head right out the door, music or not, I just GO!
Hey this is my first time stopping at your blog and what do I find? A runner telling me to visit the “thunderbox” before my long run. Wise words…wise words.
And charging devices is essential! It starts the run out wrong when your devices aren’t ready!
Ha ha! Great first impression huh
Great tips! LOL Thunder box! <3