What an absolutely beautiful day for a run!

I cruised through the neighborhoods of Orange and had an (mostly) awesome 10-miler.

Yes, 10 miles! Today was my first day embarking on the double-digit journey!

Before:

I was actually a little nervous for this run. I’m not sure why. I knew I could do it. I just wasn’t sure how it was going to feel.

I chose to do to two 5-mile out-and-back circuits. I find that shorter loops are easier for me mentally because each one is just a normal short run. It keeps me from focusing on the bigger number, which I know would get the best of me. I’ve only run four miles? You mean I have to run six more miles? Instead, I don’t even think about the second loop. I’m just out on a run!

This route also takes me past the University, so water stops are taken care of.

Loop 1 was pretty excellent. I was moving at a good pace, nothing hurt and the sky was the limit. This helped set me up with a good mental game to handle loop 2.

A few weeks ago, I started thinking about fuel during my run. I was running eight miles that day and did my first test with food at mile 6 I believe. While it didn’t hurt, I felt like it also didn’t add anything and so I stopped bringing it with me these last four runs. However, last week (nine miles, part 2), I noticed a real decrease in my energy on the last five miles. Today was definitely the same issue.

Loop 2 was all about feeling tired. Some quick carbs probably would have made a huge difference. While I was never hungry, I was definitely tired. My muscles weren’t tired, but I was. I felt like going to sleep lol.

The last five miles also brought on all the soreness and minor pain that distance running seems to come with. A blister had formed on my left ankle and it kept reminding me of its presence. The main thing, though, was that my hips were sore. I’m not used to this and I suspect it’s the new distances plus the fact that my shoes are terrible. New ones are definitely on the agenda.

By the time I made it home, my legs were making it very clear that they did not want to be supporting me any more. So I listened.

After 10 miles:

I took a shower and then made my way to the kitchen. Oh my god was I ever hungry. Long runs either leave me with no appetite or they bring on a hunger I didn’t quite know was possible.

I threw together brown rice, pinto beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and avocado topped with hummus and salsa. I dished out a normal serving, not really thinking that I needed any more than normal. (No picture because I threw it together so fast, it already looked half eaten.)

And that seemed fine. After finishing it, I was a little light-headed and didn’t feel like moving from the bed but I figured I’d give it a bit.

About half an hour later, I was not feeling so great. Nauseous almost. I drank some more water but that didn’t do anything. Maybe I need more food, I thought.

So I poured myself a bowl of cereal.

I was kind of skeptical but, low and behold, it was what I needed. Distance running is very new to me and while I try to be aware of how much to eat, I guess I really underestimated how much ten miles took out of me. Depending on how big you are, that’s a deficit of 700-1,000 calories. So yes, I guess a second meal was needed.

Look who spent her day curled up with me.

Love lazy Saturdays! More food on the agenda and then some more rest. Perfect!