Week Three Marathon Training Update

A day after my last week long training run of 9 miles, my left knee on the inside started to bother me.  After sitting for awhile my knee joint tightens up on me and becomes painful then again to bend.  I tried to treat it at home with massage and very low impact motion exercises.  I also used ice packs on it.  After the issue was not going away, I finally ended up calling and getting an appointment at the doctor to have it checked out.  A few tests at the doctor  and an X-ray was ordered.   Went early this past Saturday morning and had three different angles of the knee X-rayed.  Waiting to hear back from the radiologist what the word is or if an MRI is needed to find out more.  I have stopped the running completely and have kept the riding on the rollers with the bike to keep my training somewhat going. 

Week Two Marathon Training Update

Finished my second week of marathon training and am feeling pretty good.  The shorter runs I have done during the week have been late in the day, but I am still getting them done.  Monday I completed my weekly long run of nine miles.  Before I headed out, my left knee started bothering me, feeling very tight on the inside.  I started off slowly, keeping my pace a little slower than normal as to not go out to fast.  Averaged a HR of 146 with my MIO Alpha with only a few times slowing to walking to kind of rest.  The weather was perfect in the low 70's and full sun.  I know for sure last week I over dressed.  I actually felt stronger and more relaxed than during my last weeks long run. I am getting in the groove of the pace and HR.   I was fully hydrated with my HoneyMaxx orange traveling in my Orange Mud HydraQuiver.  In the time I was out, I still had some left over in my bottle when I got home.  

I am working this week on increasing my cardio on the rollers and a few runs are planned during the week with my next long run coming next Sunday.  

No real tight muscles to complain of but I will still work with the RumbleRoller Beastie this week. 

HoneyMaxx

What I use for my sports drink. HoneyMaxx and like the name says it's a honey-based sports drink.  Its a powder mix which is available in two flavors Orange and Lemon Lime.  The drink being based of honey does not create a spike in blood sugar and insulin.  It contains no refined sugar or other artificial sweetener as well as has no artificial colors.  I have been trying to use all natural honey as my way to sweeten foods I eat and drink,  and HoneyMaxx is a perfect hydration drink to do just that.  When mixing up the drink, keep in mind, it does dissolve differently.  Due to no other added chemicals to the drink, a slow pour of the powder into half of the amount of water you want to mix up is recommended.  Shake the bottle for a little and let it sit.  You may notice some of the drink accumulate at the bottom, this is the undissolved honey, that is normal and will happen.  Let the bottle sit for about five minutes and then shake again.  Add the rest of the water to the bottle and shake once more and your off.  This process is perfect, as I tend to mix my hydration drink ahead of my workout anyway.  

Week one marathon training review

This week I finished my first week of running workouts, along with my other cardio and light weights I am doing to prepare for a marathon in June of this year.  Logged a total of 14 miles.  My long run was yesterday consisting of 8 miles.  I kind of mapped out in my head the course I would take and stuck to it.  The course had a gas station which I was glad I planned as I needed to use the restroom.  The weather was in the mid 60's so I just wore a tech shirt and pair of shorts. I have been working really hard to keep my heart rate down as it averaged 147bpm.

The Orange Mud HydraQuiver™

The HydraQuiver by Orange Mud

Hydration is a must when doing any endurance activity especially in the Arizona heat. While competing in a race sure there are water stations, but not while out training, unless you plan the perfect route. Even while out on a race course, I like to wear my own water, then I can simply have access to it when ever I want.  I am not a fan of holding things while I run, scissors included.  I don't like to wear belts around my waist holding small bottles either.  While training, I used to wear the belt with bottles but often I would be running and the bottles in the front would pop out.  I tried using backpacks with bladder systems in them and those became a pain to fill, then store upright before a run. Not to mention the hassle of washing the bladder out afterwards. Once on a mountain bike ride, I had the mouth piece get stuck open and literally throughout the 15 mile ride lost all my electrolyte drink, as it slowly dripped down my legs and bike frame.  So enough of what I am not impressed with but onto what works and I love. The HydraQuiver™ made by Orange Mud.  The HydraQuiver™ uses the same plastic bottle, 24 ounce or 20 ounce bottles that are common to fit in a bike cage or a cup holder in a car.  I have a lot of these bottles at home, so grabbing one is easy and I'm out the door. In the summer, I store a few in the freezer half frozen with water or my favorite HoneyMaxx drink.  The zippered pocket right behind the bottle is roomy enough to hold energy gels, keys, cell phones, money.  It's excellent for long runs in which I am doing now preparing for a marathon this summer.  The bottle is easy to reach and is easy to replace. Just a simple swap of bottles and your off and running again. There is a adjustable velcro strap on the bottom of the bottle holder, which is very nice if you want to switch to a bottle that may be a little taller and you don't want it riding so high in the holder. The pack itself rides high on my back so it does not bounce with my stride and is super comfortable with the padding built in.  It has a clip inside the zippered pack for your keys, making them faster to find in the pack.  It also has an earphone port, for those that run wearing music.  On both shoulder straps there are velcro enclosed pouches for more storage if needed for storing energy gels or bars which are very easy to reach. The strap pouches can even fit a large cell phone, such as mine that is pretty large at 2.5 inches by 5 inches big.  The HydraQuiver™ is very comfortable and is a must have for any runner or outdoor enthusiast. Orange Mud put a lot of thought when designing this hydration pack.  For those going longer distances or use a lot of fluid, they even have the HydraQuiver™Double Barrel, which can hold two bottles.  Check out the photos I've posted showing off the awesome features of this well designed hydration / fuel pack and more. 

Clip inside the pack and access for earphone cord. 

Adjustable velcro strap allowing for different size bottles. 

Adjustable velcro strap allowing for different size bottles. 

Padding and strap pouches.

Strap pouch

The HydraQuiver is made in the USA and was designed by Josh Sprague the CEO of Orange Mud.

Training starts off 2014

For the past month I have been keeping my training to the set of rollers I use and a few road rides.  I have planned out my marathon training which will begin this weekend.  I have not signed up for the race yet, but will in the next few weeks.  I am not looking at setting any record time, just looking to put another under my belt.