Sunday, August 30, 2015

Relativity & Why I Love Nike+

Sunday was my first long run of marathon training. Okay, not really. I was supposed to do eight last weekend and that fell through (because I'm lazy). But this was the first long run I actually did. And it was my first double-digit run since March.

I think I needed to get this one done so I would officially feel like I was training. My mentality definitely shifted today. I feel much more like I'm in marathon training mode.

I was nervous because I hadn't run long in awhile, but things came back to me pretty easily. I had a pop tart and small iced coffee (no sugar, some milk) at 4:45am. I drove to the library and was running by 5:30. As planned, I met Kristin at the bridge, and then realized I hadn't turned on my Nike+. Oops. We continued on our way, and Kristin left at her halfway point (she was aiming for 9 miles), and I went on.
The moon was insane this morning!
I had a Gu at around 4.5 miles. It was overcast and not too warm, thanks to TS Erika. (The temperature when I started was 77, which felt worlds cooler than it has been!) By the halfway point, I was feeling really good. I remembered that the longer I run, the easier it starts to feel. I took a couple walk breaks for water as necessary, but pretty much just chugged along at a slow, even pace.

It's funny - 10 miles would mean you're nearly done with training if you were training for a half. But when you're training for a full, 10 is just the beginning. I guess it's all relative.
That's not sweat, it's liquid awesome!
I only experienced some soreness in my knees; my feet felt really good the entire time, as did my hips. But I definitely need to be better about cross-training and strengthening exercises.

I love that Nike+ lets me add a run manually, so my whole 10 miles was recorded even though it was off during the first 1.25 to the bridge. I also love that I can get cheers on Facebook. They seriously keep me going and give me something to look forward to after the run - I love checking to see who cheered for me!
The benefits of knowing your route by heart: manually entering your distance is really easy.
The comments made me laugh.
I've been using Nike+ ever since I started running; I know it's not the most "serious" of running apps, but I'm totally loyal to it.

I'd call this week a success. Time for a rest, and then onto the next one!

Did you run long this weekend?
What running apps do you use?
Were you awake to see the Supermoon?!

ABK 

18 comments:

  1. Congratulations on 10 miles! I totally understand how you feel like you are officially in training now. Double digits are exciting! Somehow I missed cheering you on Sat morning... probably because I was still sleeping by the time your run was complete!

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    1. I actually ran Sunday, which is maybe why you missed cheering me! :o) But yeah, finally getting into longer runs is THE switch I needed flicked to get my head into the zone.

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  2. Congrats on the run girl! Increasing your mileage definitely makes training more real!!

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  3. Let's see, did in run? Yep! Did I cross train? Yep! Did I see the super moon? Hell no! I saw the wrath of Thor!!! Great job on the run today! Make sure you work on glutes and hips!!!

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    1. I'm jealous that you got some fun Erika weather!

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  4. Awesome job getting your LR for this training week done!

    I ran "long" if you count my 4 miles as long, ha! This week is my "off" week for the Galloway plan I am using for the WDW Marathon.

    I use a few different running apps. The main app I keep running during my runs is "Runkeeper" but I also log my runs through Nike+ and Garmin Connect. Garmin Connect and Nike+ are connected so the runs are automatically uploaded through Bluetooh from my watch. I use Runkeeper for all of my workouts to keep track and Nike+ only for running so I know what my monthly mileage, average pace, etc for my running is.

    And YES that moon was HUGE! It probably accounts for some of the "crazy" calls we have been dealing with over the past couple of nights... :x

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    1. How are you enjoying the Galloway plan?

      I really believe the full moons bring out the crazy. I KNOW people say it's just a myth, but we in the emergency & education worlds know better!

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  5. Congrats on getting your first long run done!! Nice job!! You're in it now! LOL

    I used to use Nike+, but since I got a Garmin watch I've switched to Garmin Connect and Strava. More of my running friends are on Strava so I like the social aspect, even though IMO it's not the most user-friendly app. I love my Garmin watch - it's pretty plain vanilla but it gets the job done and it's accurate. I used to use the phone apps but I started having a lot of problems with accuracy, plus they kill my battery. My run also auto upload to my MapMyRun account but I don't use that one very much, I kinda have it just to have it.

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    1. Oh yes, I'm IN it!! I like that saying.

      I haven't used Strava but I've heard great things!

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  6. It's funny how the longer you run the more shorter runs suck. I used to like 3 milers but now at the 3 mile point is when I start feeling warmed up! I did 6 miles this weekend, but I'm in half marathon training and that's as long as I'm mentally prepared to run right now. I loved the weather!!

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    1. Ugh yes, all my runs suck until mile 2.5 now. I feel like my legs are lead until that point!

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  7. Great job on that 10 miler! I don't use too many running apps that connect with social media, but I do love my Garmin connect info because I am such a data geek!

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    1. I have to figure out Garmin connect. I use a Garmin watch and have a profile, but I haven't played with it much.

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  8. I use RunKeeper and it's good enough I guess.. Seems like every app is great except for one little thing here or there. If only we could customize those darn apps to suit us each individually!

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    1. I love the idea of a customizable app! I'm already imagining the possibilities!

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  9. Awesome job on getting in a double digit run and getting up in the 4am hour!!! So impressive!

    Somewhere around the halfway mark during my 16-miler I thought about how 8-10 miles is all you need for half marathon training. In that exact moment I wished I was training for a half, but then a few minutes later I got my second wind (thank goodness)!

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    1. LOL! Yeah, I know that feeling.

      At this point, I could already run a half. In fact, my LSD this weekend is 12 miles. I'll be REALLY slow, but I'll get it done. In a way, I now realize I can train for a half in three weeks if I don't care about my finish time haha.

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