Rethinking the drinking...

....of water, that is.
Gone are the days when drinking water before, and during  a long distance race was a sign of weakness.  Go out on the the Chicago Lakefront trail, and you'll see runners wearing belts with one or more bottles attached.  Others run with hand held bottles. 
Reminder: Chicago is not a desert city, and the lakefront trail has functional water fountains.

I was one of those bottle carriers too.  I had a nice Nathan water bottle with a hand strap which I picked up dirt cheap at Marshal's.  I say had because I left the darned thing at the grocery store checkout line, and forgot to take it home.  It was on a day when I was shopping for Gatorade.

But losing my water bottle wasn't the reason I'm rethinking my hydration practice.  I've had a sudden attack of common sense.

Do I need that excess fluid sloshing around when I run?  Do I need to drink before a race.  Maybe just a sip.

When I'm in a race, I know when I'm thirsty.  I don't need to stop at every water station for a cup.

Saturday, when I ran 13 miles I didn't obsess over whether I should bring a water bottle, because a) the weather was colder so I might not sweat as much b) there are water fountains at my destination, River Park  If I need a sip-no problems.  c) If I keeled over, perhaps dehydratrion wasn't the problem, maybe it would have been excessive blood flow to the legs, and not to my head.

There's another reason my thinking's changed.  Dr Tim Noakes.  I've only read excerpts of his new book Waterlogged,  (I intend to get the book) but it's enough to make me re-evaluate my water consumption.  How much water can I process?  And if I do gulp down water and/sport drink, won't my "personal best" be the dash to the nearest toilet? 

What to wear & how much to run.

I'm going to run the 2013 Chicago Marathon next October.  There I've written it down.  Now all I have to do is remember to register for it in time.

"All you have to do is register in time?" You ask,  "Aren't there some other details to work on?"
Sure, but mind you, the damn thing fills up fast.  Registration starts...when?  As soon as the  2012 Marathon finishes, I guess.  I must check.

Anyway, on to details.

I don't know if I want to keep wearing the belt with pouches.  I've done some longer runs and it feels awkward.  I like wearing the mesh photo vest, but there certainly are lighter all mesh vests with pockets, so I'll look into buying one of those.  That might be the excuse I need to go up to the Dick Pond Sports store in Park Ridge.

Saturday, I ran 12 miles along the Lakefront. The next day, even though I felt it in my thighs, Iwent for another long lakefront run.  It was a beautiful Sunday -  I told myself - and days  like these won't be around longer.

Perhaps I should have done some interval training on a local track.  A few intense 1000 meter runs interspersed with recover jogs.  But no The Great Marathoner to Be had to run, and run long.  I made it from the Lakeview Y, down Lincoln Avenue, to Wellington, and then Ssouthward  a little past Navy Pier. I turned around and headed back into a breeze, which became strong enough to feel like resistance training by the time I reached Diversey Harbor. 

I don't know if I "bonked" but I had enough.  I walked back to the Y.
Why on earth did it hurt more walking down stairs than up?  Beats me.  All I know is that I didn't want to sit down on the bus ride back home, because it would be excruciating standing up when my stop came.

There but for Aspercreme go I.

Next time: long run one day, and...something else the next.