I've been building up my distance each week to prepare for the TC 10 Mile on Oct. 5 -- a date that ominously creeps closer every day.
This is the first time I've ever run further than 6.2 miles.
On the plus side, each week it feels like I've run a PR. Downside? Every Sunday after my long runs, all I want to do is eat and nap. And then eat and nap some more. Take this Sunday's long run.
My running group did 7.5 miles around the lakes here in Minneapolis. It was a perfect day for a run, and the first time I got to take my new Asics out for a spin (R.I.P. Mizunos). I felt strong and my heart rate stayed in the 140s for the entire run (it usually creeps up toward the end).
It's not the run itself that's the problem. It's what happens next. After the customary trip to the coffee shop with my group, I came home to eat and shower. But instead of feeling energized and ready to conquer the world like I usually do after a run (OK, that might be a slight exaggeration), I felt ready to crawl back into bed for another eight hours.
So I napped for an hour, got up at 11 a.m., and ate some more because I was ravenously hungry. A little power nap -- no big deal, right? I made it a few more hours -- running errands, cleaning, eating -- but around 2 p.m. I crashed again. And this wasn't a blood sugar glitch or Sunday afternoon inertia. It was a very insistent feeling of fatigue that took over my body and demanded, "You're going to sleep right now." I had no choice in the matter.
So I napped until 4 p.m., and when I finally rolled out of bed I was hungry again. What's weird is that I feel like I am fueling enough while I run. And I'm eating immediately after the run, trying to stick to that 4-to-1 carb/protein ratio. And throughout the day, I'm eating a ton of nutrient-dense whole food. I'm also sleeping pretty well, and regular hours to boot.
A quick Google search shows me that this scenario isn't uncommon. Even Paula Radcliffe takes a two hour nap every afternoon while she's in training. For my part, I've never felt better while training for an event, so I'm going to trust my body and the signals it's sending. And Sunday is a lovely day for napping, don't ya think?
On the plus side, each week it feels like I've run a PR. Downside? Every Sunday after my long runs, all I want to do is eat and nap. And then eat and nap some more. Take this Sunday's long run.
My running group did 7.5 miles around the lakes here in Minneapolis. It was a perfect day for a run, and the first time I got to take my new Asics out for a spin (R.I.P. Mizunos). I felt strong and my heart rate stayed in the 140s for the entire run (it usually creeps up toward the end).
It's not the run itself that's the problem. It's what happens next. After the customary trip to the coffee shop with my group, I came home to eat and shower. But instead of feeling energized and ready to conquer the world like I usually do after a run (OK, that might be a slight exaggeration), I felt ready to crawl back into bed for another eight hours.
So I napped for an hour, got up at 11 a.m., and ate some more because I was ravenously hungry. A little power nap -- no big deal, right? I made it a few more hours -- running errands, cleaning, eating -- but around 2 p.m. I crashed again. And this wasn't a blood sugar glitch or Sunday afternoon inertia. It was a very insistent feeling of fatigue that took over my body and demanded, "You're going to sleep right now." I had no choice in the matter.
So I napped until 4 p.m., and when I finally rolled out of bed I was hungry again. What's weird is that I feel like I am fueling enough while I run. And I'm eating immediately after the run, trying to stick to that 4-to-1 carb/protein ratio. And throughout the day, I'm eating a ton of nutrient-dense whole food. I'm also sleeping pretty well, and regular hours to boot.
A quick Google search shows me that this scenario isn't uncommon. Even Paula Radcliffe takes a two hour nap every afternoon while she's in training. For my part, I've never felt better while training for an event, so I'm going to trust my body and the signals it's sending. And Sunday is a lovely day for napping, don't ya think?
FIrst, nice job on the longest run ever!
Next, it's easy to sleep after those bigger workouts. It's hard NOT to eat and sleep!
I almost always napped after long runs...it was definitely something that was necessary.
I trained for the Green Bay Marathon in May and was just like this until I found the Jelly Belly running beans. I would take two of them every mile or every other mile and at the end felt incredible!! Plus it gave me a ton of energy in the race.
I just did a half marathon last weekend and I use to just want to crash when I got home and hit the bed. With the Jelly Belly beans while running it gave me energy all day. Try those things they are incredible!! You can get them at running stores or sports stores.
i agree sunday is the perfect day for napping eating and i also have to watch football haha