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2009 Goals and Questions for the experts…
Happy New Year to everyone! Hope the new year is starting out well for you. Have you made any resolutions or goals?
I’m more of a goal person. In looking back at my goals from last year, I did meet all of them so I’m pretty happy about that. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to do another goal list for 2009, or start on my 101 things in 1001 days and just have my 2009 goals be included in that. Either way, I think I will give myself another week or so to decide. I will share a couple of things that will be on THE list – to knit myself a sweater (my largest knitting project to date) and a FULL marathon.
Now that the Phoenix Rock N Roll Half is fast approaching, I’m starting to think about logistics – getting to the shuttles on time, do I wear a throw away sweatshirt, etc. So come the questions for the experts. Yes, fellow runners, you are the experts so any input is greatly appreciated.
They will be providing Cytomax along the course, and I unfortunately have never had it. Do I bring my own gatorade, which I know my body is used to, or take my chances with Cytomax?
Also, I usually eat 2 hours before a long run. With this race, I’ll need to be in line for the shuttle bus about 2 hours before the start, which means I’m in the car about 2 1/2 hours before the race. So I’m now contemplating what to do. Do I take my food with me, and just eat on the go? Do I eat before leaving home, and then have a banana or a yogurt shortly before the race? I’m leaning more towards eating on the go because my body is used to eating two hours before running.
What do you think? Again, thank you in advance!
aron said...
1YAY for a FULL marathon!
cytomax hurts my stomach, gatorade doesnt… but thats just me
for CIM i had to eat early too… so i just brought something with me just incase, but i did eat a couple hours earlier than usual and i was fine. but thats just me again
01/7/09 5:41 PM | Comment Link
Audrey said...
2I think I was in a similar situation once and ate on the way so that you still were eating the same amount of time before the race. WOrked fine for me…
Good job meeting your 2008 goals!
01/7/09 5:56 PM | Comment Link
Teacherwoman said...
3First of all, happy new year to you too! I hope the first week of 2009 has treated you well!
I am more of a goals person too, as I like to challenge myself. the 101 things in 1001 days sounds pretty interesting! I look forward to reading about your 2009 goals or whatnot when you get them posted!
In regards to your half marathon coming up and fueling before the race. I don’t know what it is that you usually eat before a long run, but if your body is okay with it, I would eat before you leave, then eat a banana later, more closer to race start. I think as long as you don’t change up your pre-race nutrition too much before the start, you should be just fine!
Good luck and have fun!
01/7/09 5:59 PM | Comment Link
Lisa Slow&Steady said...
4Happy New Year and best wishes for making your goals come true.
Not sure what to suggest about eating because I usually eat 2-3 hrs before race start.
But I would bring my own drink. I don’t think it’s a good idea to experiment with something new on race day…
01/7/09 7:07 PM | Comment Link
MCM Mama said...
5If your food is easily portable, take it with you. If not, eat before you leave and have something small a bit later.
Can you get your hands on some cytomax to try before hand? I have a sensitive stomach, so I’d be sort of scared of trying it on the run.
Good luck!
01/7/09 7:10 PM | Comment Link
RunningLaur said...
6If you haven’t had cytomax, I wouldn’t drink it on the course. It’s formulated differently from gatorade. I believe they’ve changed the flavor, but I heard really bad things about it last year. You want to make sure you’ll drink something, and that might not be the case if it tastes horrible.
You may want to look at taking the lightrail to the race as well if you’d want to save a little time in the morning. It’s a mile walk to the start from central station, but walking it may keep you warm!
Good luck at the race!!
01/7/09 7:43 PM | Comment Link
Jess said...
7OH! A full marathon? Exciting!
01/8/09 6:31 AM | Comment Link
Sagan said...
8Exciting!! Have tons of fun with that. Those are such good big goals!
01/8/09 10:18 AM | Comment Link
MizFit said...
9Sadly Im of no help here but appreciate youre asking and Im gonna check back for all your readertips
thanks!
01/8/09 10:50 AM | Comment Link
Karen said...
10Happy New Year! And congratulations on making all of your 2008 goals!
I don’t have enough experience yet to help with any of your questions. I hope to run a full marathon someday!
01/8/09 10:58 AM | Comment Link
marcy said...
11I’d bring a throwaway sweatshirt. I had a Nike pullover during that race last year and it annoyed the crap outta me after about 3 miles. Having to stop. Take it over. Fix my bib, etc . . .
01/8/09 12:18 PM | Comment Link
tfh said...
12Happy new year! I can’t answer your question but I agree that I like goals (which sound positive) rather than resolutions (which sounds negative).
01/8/09 12:44 PM | Comment Link
Viv said...
13Great goals! What a project on knitting yourslef a sweater. How awesome when people compliment it you can say you made it! As far as Cytomax it is my poison of choice but def bring your own poison from training.
01/8/09 1:27 PM | Comment Link
Arizona Pat said...
14I get $2 sweatshirts from Goodwill. Look for the half price days. I know, I’m cheap. Don’t forget gloves. If you have an old mylar blanket from another race, bring it or just use a trash bag. It’ll keep you warm. Of course, you can use the UPS truck service and bring lots of warm clothes. It worked for me the first year. I really appreciated having a coat at the finish line.
The shuttles on the north parking lot had long lines the first year. The shuttles at rural and univ. had a really small line. Or you can take the new light rail, which will drop you off 1 mile from the start line. There’s a garage just south of rural and univ. that I park in.
The finish line is a zoo. If you have fans, they’ll want to get there well before you do.
Good luck, it’s going to be fun, as always.
01/8/09 2:12 PM | Comment Link
Marathon Maritza said...
15I can’t really stomach cytomax myself, it gives me this acid-y feeling in my tums that I don’t get with gatorade. Can you carry gatorade, but not water, since water is water and I’m sure they’ll have it on the course? That way you don’t have to carry quite so much weight?
I would eat on the go and eat at the usual time you are used to. I have done this many times and since it doesn’t seem like it’ll be a big deal for you, I say stick to your eating schedule.
01/8/09 4:29 PM | Comment Link
Calyx Meredith said...
16I can’t tolerate Cytomax and I’m glad I didn’t find that out on a race day! I wouldn’t change my nutrition/digestion pattern on race morning either. I think there’s plenty of wisdom in the adage about racing the way you’ve trained. But some people are a lot more flexible about that kind of thing than I am and they seem to do just fine. So bottom line? Trust your own instincts about what works for you. (And have you picked a sweater pattern yet? Or yarn? I can’t wait to see it!!)
01/8/09 8:05 PM | Comment Link
Joy said...
17Can you try the Cytomax over the next couple of days to see how you would react?
Fortunately, my tummy’s pretty sturdy, so I haven’t had a problem (knock on wood) with beverages on race day.
If you’re used to eating 2 hours pre-run & it’s worked for you, then eat on the go. No need to mess your routine up on race day
Good luck!!!
01/8/09 11:42 PM | Comment Link
Zandria said...
18YAY for you meeting all of your goals last year! That’s awesome! And definitely do the 101 Things…you know how big of a fan I am.
01/9/09 8:17 AM | Comment Link
Sonia said...
19A full marathon! WOOHOO! You’re going to love it =)
Yes bring your own gatorade if you’ve never tried what they are offering. It could create a very upset stomach and you don’t want that. To not carry a lot of fluid, ask a family member or friend to meet you at mile 6 or smth like that with a fresh bottle!
Good luck!
01/9/09 3:38 PM | Comment Link
mary gee said...
20I wouldn’t be trying anything new at a race. I did that once. Once.
I can’t wait! We shall have such fun!
01/9/09 8:48 PM | Comment Link
skinnyrunner said...
21hi,
im also running the phoenix rock n rolla but just the half. im so excited for it! it looks like a pretty flat course. good luck to you!
01/10/09 5:36 PM | Comment Link
Alisa said...
22Thanks so much for the comment. Ohhhhh yay, I found someone running in Arizona! I am really excited and nervous too since as you read, I’m still nursing an injury and I’m sick, Bah!
As for your questions:
1) Cytomax–I personally prefer Propel but I think I’m lucky that nothing really seems to bother my stomach too much (except when I did a run in wine country and decided it was a good idea to take the shot of wine at mile 6—um NOT a good idea). Also, they will likely have samples at the expo!
2) Throw away sweatshirts–I plan to bring something…though I never have in the past.
I am super excited about the race. I’ve never been to Arizona (other than the Hoover dam but I don’t count that).
I would loooove to get some advice on planning our trip.
01/11/09 9:54 AM | Comment Link
KK (Running Through Life) said...
23Yay on the full marathon! I have decided to do a full this year as well! Go us!
01/13/09 12:10 PM | Comment Link
Terri said...
24I suggest taking food on the go if that is what you are used to. And about the cytomax – is there any way you can try to get your hands on a sample of it, or small size so that you can try it out ahead of time? We have a store in the NE called REI that I “think” sells it, but don’t quote me on it.
01/14/09 1:11 PM | Comment Link
Terri said...
25Oh, and that’s awesome about the full marathon – woohoo!
Oh, and you had asked on my blog how the neck cowl worked. I might post a picture of what I am going to try out next – the neck cowl works well for a time – then it gets wet from my breathing on it, and then kind of cold. And it starts to slip down the neck as I go… you get the picture.
01/14/09 1:12 PM | Comment Link