Patrick on the Run

Sunday’s run was at Beck Lake, not too far away from my home. A five minute ride takes you to a small lake filled with bass and pike fishing. My schedule provided a new challenge of an 11 mile long day. In my pre-marathon training, I typically increased long days by 1 mile. I knew that adding two to last week’s nine would shock my body. Regardless, I cowboyed up and took a CamelBack with half a liter of water and a GU Energy gel pack. Several sources advise to take high energy supplements (i.e. high sugar) after 90 minutes of activity. It’s supposed to do wonders for your body. This trip into the forest was expected to last an hour and 45 minutes. I figured, might as well try it to prepare my body to eat and drink on the run.

I set out. Not a cloud in the sky but the trees kept the trails cool and bearable. The skies were calm most of the week which left the Des Plaines River away from the trail. The ground consisted of firm gravel which was softer than asphalt. It was a good day to run. I kept my pace slower than normal to prevent any arising pain. However, soreness developed in both patellar tendons (tendon below the knee caps) after a couple of miles. It wasn’t painful, just an awkward feeling most likely caused by the extra weight of the camelback attached to my lower back.

At mile 4, I sipped on a mouthful of water at every mile or so. This was the first time I had ever drank water while running. I always feared that drinking water during my road runs would induce a side cramp. That small gulp of water and may afterwards proved me wrong. It was surprisingly relaxing. All I needed was a good book and a sandwich and I’d be set. I had the next best thing.

At mile eight, I tore open a GU Energy pack, flavor: Orange Burst. A couple of weeks ago, I sat bored in my room and opened a raspberry flavor. I figured it’d be better to get used to the taste. “Disgusting” isn’t enough to describe the taste. It had an artificial, super sweet taste that wouldn’t leave your mouth because it was thicker than honey. Now, what implored me to bring it along on that run was beyond me. While running, it had the same consistency as before, but it tasted like the ambrosia of the gods. The physiological effects kicked in quickly as I felt less tired and moved with ease. Oddly enough, the soreness subsided; most likely from drinking all my water and carrying an empty pack. My run finished smoothly to where I started, Beck Lake. I most likely could have run a whole 13.1. What a great feeling.

Moral of the story: Eat and drink on the run. Not only does it feel good, it’s good for you. Pax.