September 13th Preview

Training peaks this Sunday for the Portland Marathon, at 21 miles. But of course the distance goes much higher for several of you: Tatiana at the Beat the Blerch Marathon in Washington (on Sunday; and Cindy, Elly, Jeanette, Rhonda and Jeff at the McKenzie River Trail 50K (on Saturday). We'll cheer you on from afar.

Our Eugene course (with a 7:30 start from the Running Company): Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and don't cross. Turn left onto bike path, to Autzen footbridge and across. Turn right, to Owosso footbridge and across. Back to Alton Baker parking lot. Turn AROUND there (near restrooms) and same route in reverse: Owosso, Autzen, Ferry and store. GPS distance is 21.10 miles.

Bring two drinks: first for delivery at Ferry (3.0 miles), turnaround (10.5 miles) and Ferry (18 miles)... second at Owosso (6.5 and 14.5 miles) and finish. Weather forecast: partly cloudy with starting temperature in 50s, warming to afternoon high in 80s.

Recommended shorter run is first lap of the marathoners' course. GPS distance is 10.96 miles. Bring a drink for delivery at Ferry (3.0 miles) and Owosso (6.5 miles). 

WEEK 15 LESSON: YOUR FUEL

Question: Do you recommend that I drink during the runs?

Answer: It’s a requirement. You can’t go 26.2 miles without drinking, and probably not without drinking something stronger than plain water. This is true on cool days as well as hot. So I ask you to practice drinking early and often during all training. Bring a bottle of your favorite sports drink for delivery on the course. Walk or stop while drinking, so you’ll get the fluid in you rather than on you. Even though sports drinks supply carbos, it isn’t enough to fuel you for runs this long. I strongly advise you to add “foods” in the form of gels, bars or similar products. Refuel every 30 to 45 minutes during the training run and race. Everyday nutrition and weight control can, of course, affect your performance as well. But I abstain from advising on these matters and ask you to find your own experts (which I’m definitely not).