Training Supplement – August 15, 2017

With all the sweating I’m doing due to heat, high mileage, and doubles; I sought out products to control the funky smells.  Lots of construction in my neighborhood and broken water fountains on the trails.  My iPod got stuck on “24K Magic” during a 10 miler.  I found a caffeine drink that I like and tried my new FlipBelt.

Clothing & Gear

Sport Wipes.  HyperGo After Sport Wipes.  Running two-a-days, I thought these wipes that I received in a Stribebox a while ago might save me a shower.  It’s a good size towelette – 12″ x 12″ and fragrance-free.  A few hours after I used it, I took a good sniff of my arm and I didn’t stink!

Detergents.  SweatX Sport Detergent.  I tried this product a while ago but I tried it again thinking maybe the funk was in my clothes.  I used it for a small load – maybe 3 days of running clothes and a towel – and they can out smelling okay.  Again, I just didn’t think the results are different than regular detergent.

Soap.  Le Labo Fragrances.  These next two products aren’t running-related, but I wanted to smell better after my runs.  I took this soap home after my stay at the Fairmont Hotel for the 2017 Boston Marathon.

 

Lotion.  Zents.  I stayed at a day spa two summers ago.  One of the products I bought and continued to use was this location in the Sun fragrance.  I went a step further this week and bought the body oil.

Belts.  FlipBelt.  I’ve been reluctant to use this belt during the summer because the fabric seemed a little heavy.  But, the Velcro on my armbands are starting to go.  The belt is one long sleeve with four openings. My phone and cards fit perfectly.

When I started my run, I hadn’t flipped the belt inside-out.  Mid-way through, I noticed my items had slipped through one of the holes!  So, flipping it is important.

(My Complete Clothes & Gear Page.)

Nutrition & Hydration 

Caffeine.  Heka Energy Drink.  I added this caffeinated product to my water for last week’s long run and yesterday’s tempo run for an extra kick.  I got the samples in a Stridebox and drank the Twisted Orange flavor.  I definitely felt the effects of the caffeine maybe 15-20 minutes after drinking it and think it helped my run.  As someone who is sensitive to caffeine, I had to be careful about how much I put in my small handheld.  Each packet has 160mg of caffeine and should be mixed in 16 oz. of water.  It only has 15 calories, so it didn’t help fuel my run, but I see myself using this product again.

Routes

Construction.  During my long run last Saturday, I noticed Four Mile Run Trail between Glebe Road and Route 1 re-opened!

The Four Mile Run Trail has reopened! Thanks, @ArlingtonDES and @arlparksrec! #bikedc (1/2) pic.twitter.com/y6j6Jp04xR

— BikeArlington (@BikeArlington) August 8, 2017

I surveyed the new landscape and really didn’t notice an significant differences.  The trail does seem slightly wider, though.

There has been a lot of construction in my neighborhood.  So far, the sidewalks have remained in tack but one some days, I’m having to be extra cautious.  These shots were all taken on the same day in the one mile stretch heading east on Columbia Pike from the W&OD Trail.

Water Fountains.  The water fountain in Crystal City has been broken for a while.  During yesterday’s run, tI was disappointed to find the fountain at the start of the W&OD trail in Shirlington was also broken.  Luckily, I ventured off the street and found a fountain at Fort Barnard Park.  I pass this park dozens of times and never thought to check.

Media & Motivation

Music. “24K Magic,” by Bruno Mars.  My iPod got stuck on this song during a training run last week.  I listened to this song non-stop for a good 30-45 minutes.

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

Podcasts.  “Episode 395: Skid Row Marathon,” from Marathon Talk.  This was a good interview in that it left me wanting to know more about these runners on “skid row” in Los Angeles.  The documentary is about a judge who attempts to give them a second chance through running.

“Nick Symmonds – Our Filthy, Dirty Sport: Time to Make a Change,” from RunnersConnect.  Nick Symmonds has been doing the rounds.  He’s been on the Marathon Talk and Runner’s World podcasts recently.  He talked a lot about RunGum, which I didn’t particularly like when I tried it but he convinced me that it probably is a better vehicle for getting caffeine than coffee.

“Running with Power: How Heart Rate Zones Will Become a Thing of the Past – Jamie Williamson,” from RunnersConnect.  This is the second podcast I’ve listened to about power meters.  This one is called Stride.  While I understood just about every word, I still have no idea how useful these might be for runners.

Magazines.  “Fall Shoe Guide”, Runner’s World.  In the September issue, I was intrigued to see there was a new version of the Brooks Ghost 10.  But, when I read that one tester thought it felt heavier to some, I knew I should stick with the Mizuno Wave Rider as my primary trainer for this marathon cycle.

News.  IAAF World Championships – London 2017.  I have to admit, the only race I watched was the women’s 5K on Sunday.  But, I was happy for Amy Cragg’s bronze medal in the marathon (and through about how she gave me my medal at the 2016 New York City Marathon) and Jenny Simpson’s silver in the 1500m.  But, I was also sad for Matthew Centrowitz going out in the preliminary rounds for the 1500m.

Motivation.  “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I want to be the runner I was when I set my marathon PR.  Unfortunately, I don’t remember her very well.  Thanks to my training log, I know the paces she ran and I’m closing in on them.