This morning was my first long run of marathon training, and it felt fantastic! I huffed and I puffed and I blew my 6 miler down….
It felt so good to run with a distinct purpose in my mind. In the months between my half marathon in April and my current training, I missed that sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing up the long runs. This particular run wasn’t hard by a long shot, but I was still satisfied with my effort. It takes a certain discipline to force yourself to go wake up and run early on a Saturday morning, ya know?
Before I left the house, I chowed down on a slice of Ezekiel spread with some almond butter. It was the perfect pre-workout snack. It sat well in my stomach, and I didn’t feel hungry the entire run. During my past few pre-breakfast runs, I have had issues with my stomach growling halfway through the workout. The snack totally solved that issue, and I felt much better during the run because of it. I guess I’m just the type that needs a snack before a morning workout….
Mileage splits were as follows:
- Mile 1- 10:26
- Mile 2- 10:29
- Mile 3- 10:21
- Mile 4- 10:25
- Mile 5- 10:23
- Mile 6- 10:12
Total distance- 6 miles, Total time- 1:02 and some change
I kept the pace slow and even per Hal’s insistence in the training plan (he’s so pushy that way), and I finished strong with my fastest mile. I’m definitely the type of runner who gets stronger as the run goes on (well…generally). It always takes me a couple miles to warm-up, which is probably why I hate 5ks.
When I came back to the house, I whipped up a green monster!
I love how GMs cool you off.
Because I can’t resistance loading my GMs with a zillion different things, I threw in the following ingredients:
- 2 handfuls spinach
- 1/4 avocado
- 1 frozen banana
- scoop Chocolate Vega
- 1/2 cup soy milk, 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tsp maca
- 1/2 tsp xantham gum
- ice
I topped my SIAB with a handful of Nature’s Path Optimum Banana Almond cereal, which has a perfect 3:1 carbs to protein ratio for muscle recovery.
Between the beautiful morning sun, the pleasant run, and the delicious post-run GM, I’m a happy camper. All in all, this morning is a thumbs up kind of morning!
I’m heading out the door to drive up to Portsmouth! I’ll catch ya later…
Question: What is your favorite pre-workout snack?
I need ideas. š
Summit Sandwiches 
banana and almond butter or peanut butter!
If I eat something right before working out I get stitches… Therefore I like to eat bananas or some bars about 2 hours before working out.
Nice work with the 6 miles! About an hour before any long run I like to have a slice of bread with a little peanut butter – nothing to heavy or salty, but filling to keep me going through the run!
i’m not a pre-workout snacker. freaks me out. haha, and i love the long runs, too because i always feel stronger by mile 3 or 4!