I learnt two valuable lessons today:
1. I need more calories before and after a run. I felt terrible all day today:
Eventually I had some Powerade as a last resort:
Lesson learned.
2. When replacing those calories – don’t get in the way of Mr The Rake:
Here’s a conversation we had at 11am:
Him – Kate, I want to wash the floor. Do you need anything from the kitchen?
Me – No
Him – You realise that if I wash the floor you can’t go in there?
Me – Yes
Him – So you can’t go into the kitchen for at least half an hour. Are you SURE you don’t want to get anything before I start?
Me – Yes
11:10am
Me – Hey Rake, I’m hungry
I give up
Help!
Ok, so a couple for questions for you experienced and/or knowledgeable runners.
CamelBak
To marathon or not to marathon with this baby?
Yesterday, I filled it with powerade, and it was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I didn’t have to wait to get to a tap, I didn’t have to worry about drinking enough because I could just have more when I wanted it.
I’m wondering if I should run with it, and then pick up water at the drink stations? I’m pretty bad at drinking from the cups, so minimising this seems good.
Then again, who wants to run with extra stuff on them if they can avoid it?
Pace
This is what I’m apparently capable of:
I’ve tried heaps of calculators, and this is what I get for almost all of them.
To do this, I have to run consistently at about 10.8km/hour. (Remember that km to miles calculator is down the bottom for the metric illiterate 
)
My 10k pace is about 12km/hour.
Yesterday’s run was 8km at about 10.8/10.9 km/hour, followed by 10km/hour (and about 8 up those hills!).
Is taper effective enough to let me run the whole thing that fast, or am I kidding myself? I would love to run a sub-4, but in reality, finishing, at any time, will be the most amazing thing ever.
This is really where I want to ask the people who have done this. I realise nothing is definite, but some advice is appreciated! My main concern is that I don’t want to start out too fast.
Even if you haven’t done one – thoughts?!
My plan was to run with a pace group – I’m a social person (really?!) and running with others will help a lot. Especially if I am determined to keep up with them.
Me – So how long have you been running?
Them – silence
Me – Is this your first marathon?
Them – silence
Me – I’m really looking forward to a huge breakfast after this, and maybe some booze. If I don’t collapse of course. You know I have a blog? I think I have a card in my Spibelt…
Them – F*** off
Melbourne has 10 minute pace groups – there is one for 3:50:00, and one for 4:00:00. I was hoping for a 3:55:00 group, but no joy! So do I go for the faster, or the slower?
Today’s Moment
Mr The Rake and I went to get gelato – it was the perfect spring day
Your Turn!
Do you have any strange eating habits?
When do you know your other half is about to strangle you?
What was the highlight of you weekend?
How fast should I go?!
Have I taught you nothing?
Do you eat during your run? I always have Gu if I’m running more than an hour. Orange slices are also good. If I don’t refuel during a longer run I feel like eating the entire kitchen when I get back!
Hey Paige – I go for gus. I am terrified of GI problems, and orange slices actually sound really good. Dad has offered to be there around the 35km mark, which might be a good place for them!
i have lots of strange eating habits. i like to eat my things one at a time. for example, i’ll eat all my veggies, then eat my potato, then eat my meat. it’s really odd! idk why i do it! i had a great productive weekend doing a bunch of stupid stuff like paying bills and getting my oil changed in my car. i love how you like to talk to the other runners and they totally couldn’t care less. im the exact same way, and i think i annoy the crap out of ppl! hahaha. love you, kate! have a great day!
I love you too! I don;t think it’s so stragne to eat that way – each thing has it’s own texture and flavour you totally have to enjoy that
I’d suggest starting with the 4:00 pace group and if you’re at the halfway point and feeling good, just surge ahead a bit. You wouldn’t want to start with the 3:50 group, find that it’s too fast for you and then hit a wall, know what I mean?
And I think my hubby starts thinking about strangling me on my long run days when I’m really cranky, usually because I haven’t consumed enough post-run recovery calories.
It’s a hard one! Don’t go too fast is a really good tip – and it seems to be a major thing in all of the info I’ve read. Oh the post-run cranky! I’m sure he can sympathise with my non-running partner
If the camelback worked for you and didn’t bother you when running then definitely use it. I would definitely run with a pace group if you want to get a certain time…but definitely don’t start out too fast. Then you won’t have enough gas in you to finish where you want to finish. What do you eat before your runs? I always eat something with peanut butter on it for the protein…like a waffle or bagel with peanut butter. And then I always have a protein shake after a long run to help replenish. Good luck girl!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted Runner Spotlights #6
Thanks Mindy – great tips! I have a really sensitive stomach, and any fats or protein before a run tend to be dicey – I love PB but I’ve found it’s always a mistake before a run. I go for the banana and oatmeal with water combo.
I don’t think I have any answers to your questions today. How every looks like your training is going great. I am so excited for your race.
Liz recently posted Fantabulous Day #151 – What a Beautiful Mug You Have…….Soapbox Sunday
Liz – your support means a lot! Thanks so much
I like the person’s suggestion for starting with the 4:00 pace group and then if you feel good to move ahead later on in the race.
I always have energy gels with me during long runs/races, I’m planning on bringing 4 with me during my marathon next weekend.
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted Volunteering at the Rochester Marathon
Thanks Jamie! Gels are the best things ever. I think I’ll need fur as well – but I’m going with 5 so I can slam another one down when my body gives up. I seem to have a super fast metabolism and I’m expecting my wall will be at about 28km, so I’ll stock up
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If the Camelback worked, I would say go for it. Hydration is SO key, but can be tricky to get it just right. You will ROCK, what an awesome time goal!
Jenelle, you’re so sweet! Thanks a lot
. Hydration is so tough, you’re absolutely right. If you’re thirsty, you’re probably a bit behind, but you don;t want to overdo it!
As for the time, I say go for it if you feel strong and confident in your training. Here is a workout for you (excuse the use of miles, I know the paces will be different in kms):
On your next long run, divide the distance into thirds. For the first third, run about 30 seconds per mile slower than your goal pace. For the next third, run at your goal pace. For the final third (leave a km to cool down), run about 30 seconds faster than your goal pace. Teaches you to run fast and hard when you’re tired.
As to the camelback, do what you feel comfortable with. I don’t care to run with one, but, when I first started running marathons I had so many stomach problems but I couldn’t figure out why because I never had them in training. I finally narrowed it down to the way I drank during races vs. training. After that I started carrying my own handheld and it was the difference for me.
Whatever you decide, you’ll do great!
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted Sweaty Saturday: PRs and Tim Bradley
Debbie, thank you so much – that advice is comprehensive and excellent.
That might be the go for my 20km on Saturday. And I have a course with 3 6.3km laps, so that sounds perfect. x
hey kate!! okay, wow, so let’s see if i can remember to cram in as much as i can! 1) FUEL right girl! hehe. 2) don’t wear the camel pack, if u want my thoughts. at most major marathons they have more than enough drinks and sometimes people actually don’t need to be drinking as much as they ‘think’. plus that thing will only slow u down. which brings me to: 3) YES u can run the pace, have confidence in urself. kno that every day/race does come with unknowns and u may not hit ur goal, but u’ll never kno if u don’t try. BUT here is wat is HUGE!! 4) DO NOT DO NOT go out too fast!! that will kill ur marathon and any chance of the sub-4. better to go out conservative and pick it up than go out too fast and die. did u read my posts on negative splitting ur races? i’d suggest going out with the 4 hour group and even if u feel like u can go faster force urself to stay with them until at least half way. if u feel good then, then gradually pick up the pace. but for the first half at least stay on 4 hour pace!
XOXO and sooo excited for u!
Cait the Arty Runnerchick recently posted Miles Madness Week 3 Update: The tides turn!
Cait – you legend. Your advice is gold, and the FUEL thing is hard :-O. I could be really wrong, but I think I need a little more than the average bear. I seem to hit the ‘wall’ in the early half of the ‘normal’ range. Not that I could possibly know exactly what it is…but I get my 200 cals per hour. Grr. Why is there no quick answer for that?!
Ok, not going out too fast. You guys are amazing, and after all that advice, I think 4 is the way to go.
And… thank you do much for your shout out! I love being called ‘promo queen’
If the camelback doesn’t bother you, run with it. Hydration and nutrition are so important when you’re doing endurance events. I always run with a Nathan fuel belt when I’m racing a half or a full. It holds 2 bottles. I also make a point of grabbing water from every aid station. Even if I just have a mouthful, it’s better than nothing.
As for your pacing, I’d say start off with the 4:00 bunny and then pick it up in the last 10km if you feel good. Debbie gave you some excellent advice for your training runs. I’ve done that workout several times and it’s tough but worth it.
Phaedra @ Blisters and Black Toenails recently posted The Sunday Ritual & Another Race!
Thanks Phaedra. I’m looking forward to trying that workout – though it sounds brutal! Great advice.
My half marathon is the exact same. I ran it last time in 1:58. My goal this time is 1:55. They have a group for 1:50 (too fast) and one for 2:00 (too slow). After lots of questions and advice I think I am going to start with the slower group and if I feel good then it will be a fun little pass as many people as you can to catch up to the next group game.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted Marine Corp Marathon Deferment
Slower seems to be the consensus here too! And thanks so much for the sock tip…I’m also going to see what vaseline does. I wasn’t at all phased by the blisters until the one that popped mid-run got infected overnight and woke me up (delightful….)
Disgusting. Popping blisters. We runners are so sexy!