G.R. Odds & Ends

• K-Tape: I have seen and heard of K-tape plenty of times but never used it personally. When I saw that they had reps at the expo I decided to get all the help I could get and told them about my collapsing arches/arch cutlets situation. They listened, looked at my shoes and then told me they had a way to help with that. A few minutes later I was taped up and when I stepped down the lingering aches from my hilly 7 miler on Wednesday disappeared. I wore the tape thru til the race and I'm happy to say it worked great and didn't bother my skin one bit during. When I took it off after the race I actually felt my arches lower and it made me realize I really have to do something about building them back up and strengthening them if I want to get a solid base built leading up to my next Marathon attempt. (Details to come...)
  
  
• Race Attire: Race morning I couldn't find my racing sleeves and was worried I'd be cold in just my tank but lo and behold it was a blessing in disguise as I would've gotten way to hot had I have worn them. The kicker was when I got back post-race they were right in my suitcase where I packed them but had somehow overlooked them. Although the temps around here continue to get colder by the day I have realized that I know how to race in the cooler temps and need to trust my better judgment. I simply can't stand feeling constricted in a real shirt and prefer to wear a tank and sleeves instead. When it's cold you know that you will always warm up but when it's hot you just have to pray you get to the Finish as fast as possible. Maybe I will end up enjoying this cold weather running after all? (Well until it snows anyway...)
  
  
• Nutrition/Hydration: The aid stations were oddly placed on the course so for the first time ever I raced with my 10 oz Nathan Handheld. I worried it might annoy me, but it was hardly noticeable and came in handy when I wanted to take my Powerbar Gels at exactly Miles 5 & 10. Besides that I really didn't need it and easily could've made do because I was able to grab water at each stop just fine and never felt thirsty between. This race only verified that I am being smart about my hydration and nutrition out on the course and I will continue to stick to this plan of action.
  
  
  
• Xtraining: With everything that happened over the summer with my injury and having to step down from training for the Full and almost not even being able to run the Half I have to say that xtraining saved me. It sucked and there were times I wanted to stab myself in the eye rather than aqua slog another lap but it was worth it. I was able to ramp up quickly once I got running again and was only able to do so because I had maintained a solid fitness base. I know some runners never xtrain and to each their own, but for me xtraining has always been a welcome addition to the training plan and I will continue to incorporate it with each cycle.
  
  
• 100%: I was not at 100% on race day. I knew this going in and with only 3 1/2 weeks of training could only realistically hope for a solid Finish. Based on my previous PR of 2:02:30 I knew from those few longer training runs I should easily be able to PR but I had been hoping, wishing and praying I would sub-2. In hindsight had I not have stopped to pee or let myself momentarily give up in Mile 12 I would have broken it and then some but I'm honestly thrilled to have hit it right on the dot at 2:00:22. Going forward I will focus on recovery and establishing a strong, solid base so I can show up to Ragnar in 4 short weeks at 100%.
  
  
• Sore: I was and still am very sore. It's a good sore, the kind you earn, but it still makes walking and sitting a little awkward. LOL! I went for a recovery run this morning and was pleasantely surprised at how well it went; I think I can run better than I can walk at the moment!