Training and eating

So, I'm into the two week stretch of intense, long runs with little rest in between. This is basically my hell week (plus one) before my hell month. That doesn't sound pleasant, but really it's just building me up so my body is only partly aware that I'm doing something a little crazy to it.

Today, I have a five hour run...but I also have an inner ear infection that makes me want to turn left over and over again. Is this what NASCAR drivers feel everyday? I have to wonder...

So, I'm trying a little experiment. I'm going to run up and down the street in front of my house for five hours. First, it will be a lesson in patience, because this will be incredibly boring. It will also be a lesson in mental endurance, because honestly I'll probably want to call it a day halfway through and simply re-plan the run for tonight on a normal course. That will be much easier with my front door in sight repeatedly. If I can do both, I'll be happy. This will give me an opportunity to see how good I am at entertaining myself while I run. Not every place I'll be on the road is going to be interesting. The surface streets out of Burbank may be a good example of that once I'm out of the city.

Finally, food. I talked to my trainer Eric about my carb options, because I don't eat a ton of heavy starches and I don't really eat bread at all if I can help it. Obviously, carbs are the friend of a distance runner, so I decided to break the bread moratorium and grab a bunch of whole wheat pita and hummus. Three days later, I'm digesting food very slowly, I wake up with greasy skin (attractive, yes?) and my stomach is upset.

Looks like I'm going to get my carb loading done via another source. Think I'll stick to my fruit/veggie/fish heavy diet. Didn't do me wrong previously, so I suppose I don't need to fix what wasn't broken. Guess that means more of whatever natural items do the trick.

Basically, bananas/beans are my friend.

Good times folks. Keep visiting, I appreciate the kind words, and I can't wait to get on the road!

-Dustin