I had some great runs last week and I finally seem to be enjoying the treadmill.   Just as well as the temperature has plummeted again and we even had another light dusting of snow.  Although the running is going well and I feel I’ve regained some of the ground I lost over Christmas, I’m not feeling on top form. I’m beginning to push the miles out again and I am trying to eat and drink properly but a sore stomach and constant tiredness are persistent.

Here's one I prepared earlier!

I’m not the world’s best at eating regularly, preferring to live off steaming mugs of hot, sweet tea.  I can go quite a long time without eating which is a particularly stupid thing to do if you’re training for a marathon…actually, it’s a pretty stupid thing to do full stop!  I guess I’m just not that interested in food, unless it’s fairly instant and preferably prepared by someone else!  Cooking for the family seems easier than preparing a meal just for me.  I tend to make more of an effort for them.  Generally though, I have acknowledged that I simply can’t do my longer runs without sufficient fuel.  If it’s a morning run I make sure I have a bowl of porridge with a spoonful of Manuka honey.  Later in the day and it’ll be pasta that I eat before a run.  I find I have to eat about an hour before I run to get the best use of the food I’ve consumed.

I started using ’sports’ drinks a while ago and a particular favourite of mine is High5’s 4:1 It gives me the energy kick I need when I’ve been running for over an hour or so.  However, I need to work out how to drink and run – I think there must be a knack to it.  Sounds simple doesn’t it?  Run, get hot, get thirsty, drink from bottle, keep running.  Actually by the time I’m hot and thirsty, I’ve developed a bit of rhythm to the way I run, the way I breathe etc.  So interrupting that rhythm to take a drink is trickier than you’d think – all sorts of gulping, coughing, spilling and dribbling were in evidence at the start .. I’m more proficient at it now but I do sometimes feel as though I’m drowning!

"Cheers!"

The 4:1 drink is also great for recovery too and surprisingly tasty (Flavour of choice: Summer Fruits)!  I’m also beginning to experiment with the occasional gel pack whilst running.  Seeing as I’ve been daft enough to volunteer to run a marathon I might as well try to do it properly and learn how to fuel up on the way round.  Biggest problem I have with the gel packs, so far, is opening the damned things ..ended up trying to tear one open with my teeth the other day, whilst concentrating on keep limbs going, breathing, etc … co-ordination not being my strongest talent, it’s a wonder I didn’t trip over!