Run 10.4 Miles with Hammer Endurolyte & Gel

I have run two half marathons. Each time I finished the race but then had to deal with a sore calves, quadriceps and IT band. Each time, I noticed that different muscles were sore and my recovery took less time. Wednesday, I logged 4 seperate running sessions that totaled 13+ miles. I felt a some minor soreness in the sortorius muscles and gluts.

I ran on Saturday on the track in the park near my house. I set a nice easy pace and used my iPhone app Runkeeper to track the miles and pace. I ran at an average 10:41 min/mile pace for 1:51:49 with a total of 10.4 miles. I monitored my heart rate for some of the time and ran in zone 1 and 2. The purpose of the run was to learn how my body would react to using electrolyte supplementation and Hammer gel.

I swallowed 3 endurolyte capsules during my run, drank 5 ounces of water (I just didn't feel thirsty) and ingested 2 ounces of gel. After running 10 miles, I started to feel the hip flexors and IT band. I was surprised to feel those muscles get sore. During the run, I remember thinking that I wish I had a belt to secure the gel, electrolyte capsule bottle and my iPhone. My hands were a little full carrying all this stuff while I ran. I didn't cramp during the run but was ready to stop around mile 10. My goal was to run 13 miles. I performed 10 minutes of Yoga positions to stretch out. I went home and ate oranges, bananas and some bread. About 45 minutes after I stopped running, I felt tired and fell asleep for several hours.

I believe I need more strength training. I notice a lot of supporting muscles in the core and groin area that are showing weakness. I'm optimistic.

Ragnar Finding our Way Through Paradise Valley

Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay June 2009 #4

Steve dropped Annie, Rena and I off outside a small town called Paradise Valley. We all needed to use the restroom and Sally was due at the exchange point to take the baton from Karli. Steve and Sally had to hurry and find an alternate route around the race course to get to the exchange point on time.

We started to get concerned when we didn't see Steve come back with the truck. We wanted to make sure we got to the exchange point on time because it was almost Annie's turn to run.

We walked down some of the streets and flagged down a few drivers. The first driver we talked to was an old lady who was angry because runners were littering the streets. Rena replied that we were just runners having a good time. Annie stopped a guy in an old red pickup truck. He had a beard and looked a little perplexed when Annie asked him for a ride. I wasn't sure if he was going to help us but Annie jumped into the back of his truck. I stood there for a moment not sure what to do. Do I leave Rena here on the road or go with Annie? Rena helped me make that decision when she screamed, "get in the truck with Annie!!" I jumped in the back of the truck and the driver hesitated. A few minute later we saw Steve driving towards us a few miles down the road. I think we were both relieved as we jumped out of the back of the truck and thanked the guy for his consideration.

We rushed to get to the next exchange point. We saw Sally and checked on with her. We gave her a water bottleto drink from and then headed towards the exchange point.

We parked the truck as close as we could. Annie and I walked to the exchange point together. I asked Annie if I could take her picture. She said sure and she struck a pose. I was delighted; I wanted to give Annie a hug. We saw Sally coming and Annie took the baton and was soon running. I'm next I thought to myself, I hoped I was ready.

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