In Check

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I think Running is being sure to keep me in check. Last weekend’s runs didn’t go as well as the previous. I had trouble with our 13 miles Saturday and again with 5 on Sunday. Saturday I had some symptoms of dehydration by mile 8 and Sunday I think I was having some trouble with the air in our foliage filled route. I do think I hydrate well during our runs and am wondering if I need something besides water. Sports drinks like Gatorade are too sweet for me but I’m going to start the hunt for the right drink and at least start with using it for some of my hydration the days before my long run. So far I’ve ruled out Gatorade, coffee and wine.

Unplanned Miles

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Last weekend I managed to get in some unplanned mileage. First, RF and I wanted to do a 15 mile run so I mapped out a route that was a bit over 15. Probably around mile 12, however, I realized there was a portion we would have to return through that I did not count twice in my mileage additions. We pressed on and finished close to 16.5 miles. Sunday I went for another run with my Ragnar team. The plan was to meet at a parking lot on River Road and go for about 5 miles. I was late and figured the team took off so I quickly set out and ran the route a bit faster than I wanted to after Saturday’s run. When I got back to my car and no one was there except for a voicemail inquiring if I was coming, I realized I was at the wrong parking lot, just a few blocks off. I set off on the route backwards and found the group about a mile later and finished again with them.

Ragnar Social

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I’m really excited how my Ragnar team is coming together. Not one person in the group knows everyone and the people I know are a mixture of close friends, acquaintances, unexpected reunions and even unrealized acquaintances. About half the team got together for a run yesterday evening and it was a treat to run with a group that size. And this is coming from someone who used to only run alone! Running has become so much more of a social event for me and organizing a team of 12 to run 200 miles might be close to the epitome of a running social. I’m excited to see our abilities come together to conquer the route from LaCrosse to Minneapolis. In fact, one of the things that I like about the team is that everyone is willing to take on a hard runner position. Everyone has the ability and I don't think anyone wants to take it easy. We certainly aren’t going to win the thing, and we’re going to focus on fun, but I think everyone is ready to leave some enthusiastic sweat behind on the course.

Feeling the Interval

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Today RF and I made close to a 14 mile route between Fort Snelling and Nokomis. Most of me felt better than I have in a while on a long run, except for my legs. They were so tired. I think it has to do with the interval work I’ve been doing during the week. Thursday a friend of mine and I did mile intervals. They were a good challenge and even a bit fun (fun as in different and a change up, not fun as in smiles and giggles) but they were hard. I think I felt them today. However, overall today’s run went pretty well and I think RF and I will be increasing mileage in the next few weeks.