Indoor Insanity Marathon Relay ’15

Today was the Indoor Insanity Marathon Relay, so I thought I’d do a super quick race report.  I ran this event two years ago with my co-workers, and we had a team member change out this year, but otherwise it was nearly the same (except our time improved, yay!)  We would have done it last year, save for a little event that occurred–giving birth to Asher 😉

I picked up KK & NH, and we met CF at the Fast Track in Winston.  The race benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma society, so I feel good racing for a great cause (and I think of our friend Dale who lost the fight to leukemia in 2009, and my cousin Darcie, who overcame AML this past year).  Our team had to cover 84 laps @ 500 meters per lap.  Our strategy was to run 3 laps, or 1,500 meters, at a time.  I started us off, and I had the extra 0.2 to make it a full 26.2 mile marathon.  I normally time myself, but I didn’t feel like carrying my phone, or asking someone to time me.  I couldn’t figure out how to get my darn Garmin watch to just be a stopwatch!  Next time I’ll figure that out in advance.

Thanks to this article about GI distress and hydration, I was well-hydrated and had no GI distress whatsoever (praise the Lord!!!)  I had this huge “ah ha!” moment yesterday when I read the article.  I had no idea how important hydration was… I mean, I did, but I didn’t realize that was my problem.  Easy enough to solve.  Now, I just have to make sure I fuel AND hydrate properly.  I’ve been so concerned with what I’m eating, I had lost sight of my hydration needs.  That would explain why my weekday runs are typically fine (I am better at regulating my water consumption at work than at home).  My weekend runs are where it usually goes to $h!t, no pun intended, haha!  Now, I’ll be sure to monitor the color when I use the bathroom (clear and lemonade-ish = good, anything darker or a small quantity = bad).

Anyways, I gave it my all on each of the 7 iterations of 1,500 meters.  I kinda wish I knew my times, but I know I gave it my best, so that’s really what matters, right?  Here’s all four of us, kicking butt:

My fueling strategy was pretty simple, now that I know how important my liquid strategy is.  I woke up at 6, had 2 scrambled eggs, toast, a pancake with syrup, and about 8 oz of Gatorade and 8 oz water.  I felt full but by the time the race started, a bit after 8 AM, I felt perfect for running.  I then did a GU/Clif Shot fuel packet after two iterations (so after miles 2, 4, and 6), plus plenty of water and the rest of the Gatorade I brought.  The last GU probably wasn’t necessary, but I wanted to be sure I could really push it in on my last mile.  I did catch my split after one 500 meter lap, and it was 2:15-ish.  Which would mean, if I kept that pace throughout, I ran 6:45-ish for a bit less than a mile.  Not saying I was able to do that the entire race, but hopefully I came close!  (Below photos courtesy of Fire Eye Studios)

Our team at the finish:

We also got some sweet medals, and the race directors said these weren’t the correct ones, so they are supposed to mail us different ones… I’ll take it! 🙂

I don’t have our official finish time, but I’d guess it was around 3:45.  Update: we ran 3:43 and change.  7th of 8 teams. Ha!  Today’s race was more about camaraderie and cheering each other on than it was about times.  Some races need to be that way.  I gave my all, and I know my teammates did too.  We did lose to the guys’ team, but eh, whatev.  We’ll get ’em next year 😉

This event helped me train speed and figure out how to fuel better.  Next up on the docket for me is the Ultimate Runner at the end of June.  I’m pretty pumped for that one!  I’ve been waking up early and running since starting my new job, so I successfully did my 3 morning runs this past week for a total of 9 weekday miles, plus 8.8 weekend miles.  Not a bad way to end May (at 69.3 miles–YTD is 328.3… I am so thankful I’ve been able to stay this consistent.  I feel awesome.  Praise the Lord!)

What are your big events for the summer?  Anyone heading to the beach or mountains?

I’ll be hanging out with these cuties for the rest of the day!