Training Supplement – September 17, 2017

I discovered art off the running trail near Bluemont Park and had two deer flybys.  I’ve been running so many doubles that I ran out of shorts.  I bought a new iPod but shattered it already.  And, I listened a thought provoking podcast.

Note: I’m finding it hard to get these “supplements” out on the weekdays.  So, instead of trying to publish them on the 1st and 15th of the month, I’m switching to the first and middle Sunday of each month so I can do them on the weekend.

Clothing & Gear

Shorts.  I’m running so much these days that on Tuesday, I ran out of shorts!

Saucony Impulse Short.  Currently, this is still my favorite running short.  The fit is loose but without a lot of extra fabric.  It has a 4” inseam but it feel shorter.  The only thing I don’t like about them is the back pocket.  Card-sized items and gels chaff my lower back on longer runs.

Saucony Bullet Tight.  While I was on the Saucony site, I thought I’d try these shorts again.  I’m glad I did because I think they’ve been remodeled.  The structure held up better than I remembered, although I would still like a bit more compression.

Handheld water bottles.  Camelbak Ultra Handheld Chill.  I thought I’d try a collapsible flask since I’ve heard they’re lighter to carry.  It probably was lighter but I didn’t like the straps on this one.  They aren’t adjustable and they were looser than I would have liked.  It was also hard to refill it at some water fountains.

Shoe Charms.  I grouped my shoe charms this week with an American flag in honor on September 11th, Boston Strong because I registered for the marathon this week, and the University of Virginia – my alma mater – since the events in Charlottesville from last month have been on my mind.

(My Complete Clothes & Gear Page.)

Nutrition & Hydration

Gels.  Crank Sport e-Gel.  This is still my favorite gel and I plan on using it for the 2017 New York City Marathon.  I ran out of gels a few weeks ago and ordered a new batch that should arrive in time for me to practice race-day fueling in the coming weeks.  I haven’t settled on a favorite flavor yet – I’m leaning towards Juicy Watermelon – so I ordered the 24 gel assortment for $30 instead of 12 of one flavor for $19.

Routes

Art.  Named Stones, by J.W. Mahoney.  I’ve been running a stretch of the Four Mile Run Trail near Bluemont Park this summer with more tree cover than on the W&OD Trail.  “Psyche”, “Amor”, and “Awake” are just off the trail.  

Flybys.  I also saw these two deer near the W&OD Trail twice in the past two weeks!

Sights.  During the past week, I’ve been treated to some great views of Washington, D.C. due to run-commuting and lunch runs.  The day after September 11th, I appreciated the flags that line the 14th Street Bridge.

Construction.  The Georgetown Branch Trail is closing for the next four to five years due to the Metro’s Purple Line construction.  I don’t run “the big loop” very often but RunWashington offered some alternatives.

Closer to home for me, The Wash Cycle wrote about safety improvements coming to the Custis Trail along Lee Highway and W&OD Trail along Four Mile Drive, and rehabilitating the wooden bridge on the Mount Vernon Trail by Roosevelt Island.

Media & Motivation

Music. “Feel It Still,” by Portugal. The Man.  I’ve been swaggering down the streets to this groovy tune.

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

Media Player.  After reading that the iPod products were being discontinued, I ordered a new Nano.  On my first run out, I dropped it on the sidewalk and it shattered!  Perhaps this is a sign that I need to accept this change.

Podcasts. “Episode 623: We Are in the Future,” from This American Life.  I listened to this episode during my long run yesterday.  I was struck by the quote, “I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams.”  Undoubtedly, a slave would never have imagined a black woman running 24 miles as some type of leisure activity.  I thought about it even deeper during the segment about the woman who played a slave at Mount Vernon, which isn’t too far from where I live.

“Episode 69: Run Forever,” from The Runner’s World Show.  The first segment of the show was about picking up trash after a race.  I’m more conscientious about this now than I was as a new runner.  Now, I make a point of tossing items at or near aid stations.

Books and Magazines.  “We Run The Streets,” from Runner’s World, October 2017.  This feature article was on running “crews”.  Unlike running clubs, these are more informal groups in urban areas that emphasize exploration and building a sense of community over training.  The groups seemed like a lot of fun!

Motivation.  “I hated every minute of training, but I said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”. – Muhammad Ali

It’s been a summer of suffering.  I’m trying to tell myself that it’ll pay dividends in a few weeks when it cools down.