Tuesday, 10/14/08

I ran 3 miles today, with a time of 27:05.

I should note here that I am not going to be concerned at all with how fast my times are during my training here, but am going to record them for posterity. In fact, if anything, I want them to be slow!

Because of my racing background, I have a tendency to start out way too fast, which I know will cause me to burn out during the marathon. I was reading an anecdote the other day from Hal Higdon, the man whose training program I'm following, about how he went on a training run one day for a marathon, and passed by some elite Kenyan runners who were going incredibly slow, like slower than a ten-minute mile pace. Yet the next week, they were part of the lead pack in the marathon. So slow is good!

In general, I was happy with my run. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately, and my body has been suffering for it. My legs, especially my knees, felt creaky at the start, but after a mile or so, warmed up and felt strong. I finished the run tired but feeling stronger on the last mile than the first, which is always a good sign.

My biggest problems right now are dehydration and sweat. I need to drink way more water, especially with the dryness of Los Angeles. I'm going to try to drink around a gallon a day. I know that sounds like an insane amount, but I did it back in my powerlifting days, and it was great. Your joints feel much better, and after a week, your body gets used to it and you stop having to go to the bathroom every five minutes. :)

Sweat is also a problem right now. I sweat a lot, and it tends to get in my eyes. I have a feeling if I drink more water, my sweat won't be as salty and therefore stinging, but right now, it's almost unbearable when it gets in my eyes. I may resort to a headband if I have to, but I won't go geeky/80s unless absolutely necessary.

Overall, I'm optimistic and feeling a little creaky but fine. Until tomorrow!