Training Supplement – April 8, 2018

We finally had accumulating snow here in the Washington, D.C. area!  I was disappointed that the Custis and W&OD trails weren’t treated but a podcast put the conditions in perspective.  And, the Four Mile Run Trail narrowed where it goes under I-395.  And, I bought the Lululemon Enlite Bra when I saw it on sale at the 2018 Shamrock Half Marathon expo.

Clothing & Gear

Sports Bras. Lululemon Enlite Bra.  This bra is normally $98, so when I saw it on sale for $59 at the 2018 Shamrock expo, I thought it was a steal!  When I first put it on, it fit like a glove and the fabric was so comfortable!  However, I’m not sure I would buy this bra without trying it on first since neither the back hook nor the straps are adjustable.  (I wrote down the size that fit when I tried it on in the store.)

Body wipes.  EO Natural Deodorant Wipes. I got this wipe in a StrideBox from last April and finally used it after a lunch run.  It did the job but having recently tried the Epic Wipe, it seemed very small.  It also smelled like rubbing alcohol to me.

Runner’s World Box.  I was very happy to get another Epic Wipe in this month’s box.  And, the Skratch Labs bars and goodr sunglasses looked interesting.  I’m leery of sports balm because I can’t control the length and intensity of the effect but I may try it.  And even though I don’t eat oatmeal often, I’ve been meaning to have it more often.

(My Complete Clothes & Gear Page.)

Nutrition & Hydration

Hydration.  Bumbleroot.  I got this in a Stridebox.  I have not been a fan of coconut water.  I read an article about how runners use coconut water.  I wondered if I was better off drinking Gatorade during workouts and the article came to the same conclusion.  I mixed up a batch of the lemongrass flavor, though.  I didn’t care for it but it could be the flavor.

Routes

Construction.  Four Mile Run Trail.  There’s been construction on Interstate 395 where it goes over the trail since last summer.  It hadn’t impacted the trail until last week when most of one “lane” was taken away leaving runners, bikers, and pedestrians to share what was left.  It’s dark under the bridge so I’ve been trying to be extra careful.

Hazards.  It had been a cold but snow-less winter until two Wednesdays ago.  I headed out for a 15 miler before the snow accumulated.  I knew the Mount Vernon Trail never gets treated so I ran that section of my route first.  But, the Custis and W&OD trails weren’t plowed or salted either, even though there were reports that the W&OD Trail would be pre-treated.  The conditions weren’t bad, but it would have been nice to run on clean asphalt.

Sights.  I’ve been doing a lot of run commuting and lunch running lately trying to get my miles in.  Living in Washington, D.C., it’s easy to take views of the monuments for granted.  This picture is on the short list for one of my best photographs this year:

Media & Motivation

Music.  “Sowing the Seeds of Love,” Tears for Fears.  I needed a few extra minutes in my nascent 2018 Boston Marathon playlist so I added this song.

(My “Songs of the Week” playlist on Spotify.)

Podcasts.  “Episode 145 – A Niche Show (Sarah Bishop),” Pace the Nation.  The guest was the surprise winner of the women’s race at the 2017 Marine Corps Marathon.  She had a great message for women – mothers in particular – who feel guilty about spending time on themselves.  (As a selfish person, I couldn’t really relate, but nodded in agreement as I listened.)  And, I was genuinely surprised when I heard my name.  I really did love the Eugene Marathon.  It’s my second favorite marathon after the New York City.  For a moment, I thought, “Hmmm, maybe I should run it this year.”  But, I remembered I’ve more or less been training since last July and am overdue for a break!  But, there’s always 2019…

“Episode 428 – Bobbie Britton,” Marathon Talk. My favorite part of this episode was at the 1:04 mark when the guest talked about pushing limits.  He mentioned Shackleton and mountaineers who’ve faced truly life threatening conditions.  It really put endurance running into perspective.  “As much as we love to dramatize ultra running, it’s not as hard as that. … If you bonk in a race and [you’re] borderline hyper-thermic.  That’s not even a real thing.  You’re just cold.”

News.  “When the Course Wins:No Finishers at the 2018 Barkley Marathons,” Runner’s World.  No one finished the Barkley Marathons this year!  And only one runner, Gary Robbins, completed the three loop “fun run”.  I felt bad for the runners knowing how hard they must have trained only to be met with miserable conditions on race day.  (Then, I remembered Shackleton.)

Motivation. “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson

Except for a week or two after the 2017 New York City Marathon and the 2018 San Diego 50 Miler, I’ve been training since last July!  But, I mustered a little extra effort in the final weeks before the 2018 Boston Marathon.