Protein vs. Carbs

If the choice between eating protein or carbs the day before a long run was a boxing match, the referee would have stopped it early on. At my parents house yesterday I was offered some left over steak. Too tempting to turn down, I enjoyed it. And when I wasn't hungry later on in the evening, I realized that there would be no carbs running through my system like there usually is on Saturday morning runs. To the steak, I added a breakfast of three eggs, a tomato and two pieces of wholesome toast. I was interested to see if I would feel any different primarily eating protein rather than carbs.

Without giving a travelogue of the entire 11 miles (1:34:18, 8:34/mile), I'll just say that I felt like I had to gut the whole thing out. I didn't get any sort of second wind nor was I able to speed up at all the last mile, peaking with a kick the last 1/4 mile. I felt like my body lacked any sort of reserve energy.

Edge: Carbs

Also a first today, I ran in the rain. A different experience to be sure, but not too bad. Other than my wet socks causing my toes to form blisters on top of blisters. As I finished the run, I felt (and probably looked as well) like a cold, tired, wet dog.

I'm pretty confident in my ability to finish the half-marathon in under 1:50:00 in two weeks. I'm feeling like a great day would even put me under 1:45:00. This week will be similar to the last, 3 miles on Tuesday, 5 on Wednesday and 5 on Thursday. Saturday will be tapered back to around 7 probably, depending on which route I decide to run. I may go back to Bush Park and run on the unpaved bark trails. Easier on the knees for sure. After that, it's race week.