HM training week6 day2/you live and learn:

This is the third day my watch has warned me I’m overreaching. So tired this morning, could hardly put one foot in front of the other when we took the dogs out. Whole body felt like a wet sandbag when I started my run. When it got to the phase in zone 4 it was really hard to get into and stay in the zone. So, salutary lesson: extending my run to 10.5 miles in the heat on Sunday, then leaping merrily up a steep hill yesterday AND doing an extra run after, may have made me feel good at the time, but neither was a good idea. I’m running five days a week, plus two swims a week, yoga and dog walking every day. Anything extra on top of the plan is clearly too much. So I’m taking it easy today, then swimming tomorrow so that will be less strenuous. Never underestimate how exhausting it is running very slowly either.

A curious thing: I don’t put weight on easily, I can normally eat pretty well what I like: but taking a large bottle of Tailwind on runs recently appears to have caused me to gain three pounds.

I wore the new On Cloudswifts today and honestly don’t know what to make of them. They feel clunky compared with the Cloudflyers, though they are definitely comfortable and not so tight across the width of my foot. I need to test them more, but they don’t have the spring and responsiveness I expected.

Oh, just to add, I think I’m a tad faster in the zones, and my hr came down into zone 2 halfway through the warm down, instead of staying elevated.

[Equi-geek 10 Miles]

It's good to know you watch can warn you of the over-training and it works! As I now have about 10lbs even more to lose, which I've gained since I was injured, I think I'll stay away from Tailwind :'D

But I think what stuff like that does, is increase your plasma volume for hydration, which shows up as a weight gain. I may be wrong but I think you'll lose it easily when you stop using it.

[Hidden in reply to Equi-geek]

Ah, that makes sense. My face and hands have been puffy the last few days. I think i will use it in moderation! And maybe more dilute.

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

Your watch gives you way more feedback than mine! You are doing a lot though lovely x

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

You will have missed my footnote, added as you were posting your response. I’m guessing I’m doing more because I had less time/started the training late.

Buying the Vantage V was the best thing I ever did. It’s worth checking eBay because sometimes people buy a watch or phone and decide they don’t like it or don’t use it enough, so sell it still new for a knockdown price. Xx

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Yeah maybe I should have a look. I'm still panicking I'm doing too little.... 🙈 I'm not sure I understand all of the data lol.

You are doing great Flick, I do think that our training is about time running and not distance run. I still need the security of distance too though xx

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

I’ve got over the distance thing lol! I’m sticking to the plan now. I’m soooo knackered, which I wasn’t till I decided to be stupid and push it xx

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Yeah it is tailored to our individual needs..... my main reason for following the heartzones was to avoid injury so maybe I should just follow my plan! 🙈🤣 xx

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

Me too - no more extra runs for me. Still glad I was naughty though: the 10.5 mile on Sunday boosted my confidence, and Headington hill reassured me I could still run uphill. Of course, the Blenheim half next year will be different again and I shall have to find regular hill runs. The BHF 10k at Blenheim was my fastest 10k xx

[Aldlib Half Marathon]

Interesting re the Tailwind. I spoke to my coach about the dehydration run last Sunday and he said I need to take High5 Zero tabs in water at least a few days before a long run. The salt apparently keeps the water is your body so it doesn’t just flush straight through. Water retention will def make you weigh a little bit heavier but you will probably find it settles down again fairly quickly. 6 weeks of a lot of training will also be kicking in so you are wise to rest. I love how good our bodies are at letting us know what we need, but I am not always very good at listening to mine!

[Hidden in reply to Aldlib]

I think

I’ve overdone the hydration. I’m not a thirsty person. I shall use it more sparingly. I’ve noticed I’m weeing gallons the last two days too, so it all makes sense!

[Hidden in reply to Aldlib]

I meant to say, the electrolyte tablets seem fine, but tailwind seems to have whacked up the fluid retention.

I’m not very good at listening to my body either, but I’ve learned my lesson over this! 😳

[limberlou Half Marathon]

Funny you should say that as I’ve noticed puffy ankles since I’ve been using the dehydration gels and tablets more .....and small weight gain- though I’ve done more exercise and eaten more sensibly. Could be water retention?

I think I’ve overdone it a bit lately with all the extra digging and gardening on top of the running and felt really sluggish yesterday. It at least the pond is complete now- looks lovely and the fish are busy doing laps!!!

Meant to get up and run this morning but slept until 10.00!!!! Unheard of!!! The cats were going mad when I got downstairs so I think it’s going to be some Pilates stretches and gentle walking today and not much else. Early night and run tomorrow.

I do think we have to realise that just because we CAN push ourselves every day we shouldn’t necessary do it!! We don’t want to spoil the enjoyment of our running.

Take care of YOU ,Flick

[Hidden in reply to limberlou]

Definitely fluid retention: puffy face, hands and ankles, and now I’m peeing gallons 😂

You obviously needed the rest. We’ve both obviously tired ourselves with the recent long runs. I’ve certainly learned a lot with all this!

Your pond sounds fab.

You take care too x

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

I've only ever hydrated with water during and after runs with no nasty after effects. I think these sports drinks are for the likes of Mo Farah. I struggle to justify them when a sensible balanced diet and water seem more than adequate at our level of activity.

Regular marathon and ultra runners may disagree. I bet Brendan Foster drank plain water in the 70s!!

[Hidden in reply to Langley-Loper]

I have very low blood pressure and electrolyte drinks really help. But Tailwind is as much fuel as hydration. My 10.5 run was on a very hot day too, so I think the Tailwind really helped. BUT I need to get the proportions right. It clearly did hydrate me as I retained fluid for so long after, but I think I mixed it too strong. Also water goes straight through me, not something I want when I do my half marathon. It’s all a matter of learning what works best for your body. Brendan Foster probably didn’t have access to some of the things we have now, but if it works and is helpful, why not use it x

[Hidden in reply to Langley-Loper]

Anyway, at my age I need all the help I can get 😂

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I know what you mean. I've just done my first post holiday run. I needed a tail wind, down hill all the way and Brendan Foster coaching me!

[Hidden in reply to Langley-Loper]

That made me chuckle!