Bonk City (Read 1030 times)

Well, today was an 18-miler for me (the longest run of my life). I did it on the treadmill at the gym. I finished the 18 miles, but near the end I was doing more walking that running. It took me 3:35, when I normally run at a 9:30-10:00 mm pace for long runs. I ate a bagel with lite cream cheese and a turbo coffee from dunkin donuts about 25-30 min before run. I woke up kind of thirsty and probably didn't hydrate well. I also did not have any kind of low fiber complex carbs the night before. I had a little grapefruit juice with me on the treadmill but not that much. Oh! And I sweat like crazy and was drenched about 2/5 into the run in a heavily air-conditioned gym. Might I need special clothing, including sweat-wicking socks? I got off the mill pretty discouraged. Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated. As a side note - and this comes from an inexperienced, slow, unfocused runner - but there was a dude next to me on the next mill walking slowly and holding onto the display panel for dear life. It sort of took me out of the game and psyched me out a bit. Should it have?

Did you hydrate while running? Sounds like you ran out of fuel and possibly fluids Personally the fact that you ran 18 miles on a treadmill deserves some kind of award. I cant stand 18 minutes.

I'd say you should feel pretty darn proud of yourself for running 18 miles on a treadmill...and you say you are not exeprienced? Of course there are things you could do to make it go more smoothly next time. For one thing, allowing more time between your last bite and your run might help. A banana or some kind of energy bar sounds like a better choice than a cream cheese turbo and coffee too...cream cheese before a run? Ugh. And as others have said, being well hydrated is a big deal on long runs. Not only should you drink before, but also during. As far as the sweating, we are always going to sweat a lot on the 'mill because the air is still. Personally, I like havning the sweat drip off me but if you don't, turn on a fan. Way to go on the 18

Jilly, I didn't run outside because my wife won't let me run outside until it's 50 degrees F. Is there a general rule of thumb on that?

Seriously? Is there a reason for that? ummm....this far in to your marathon training, how many miles do you have on pavement vs on treadmill?

...my wife won't let me run outside until it's 50 degrees F. Is there a general rule of thumb on that?

I'm not sure there's a rule about it, but there was just an article in Runner's World (Jan 08, "A Chilling Effect") that cited a study which said between 36 and 52 degs F was optimized performance. I dread the treadmill, so i prefer to layer up and go outside.

I think that he must be. I decided it must have been a joke..... or sarcasm......

Jilly, I didn't run outside because my wife won't let me run outside until it's 50 degrees F. Is there a general rule of thumb on that?

Yes. Run when you want to run. By yesterday afternoon in Jersey it was very nice outside. And today was nice as well. You've just got to dress correctly. I can easily work up a sweat when it's 20 degrees out. Congratulations on the 18 miles on the treadmill. The most I can go without being catatonic is 5 miles. I would much rather be outside.

what did you eat on the run besides some grapefruit juice? over 3 hrs running/walking without food will cause a bonk