Day 1

Although my quest to endulge in trail running started last week, I had my first official run after getting conned into signing up for the Sierra Nevada Endurance Run marathon on my birthday in September. In order to accomplish this feat I will have to execute a INTENSE training schedule which will include a half marathon in a little over a month (Run On The Sly) and take on long runs >10 miles each Sunday. This blog will attempt to provide coverage of the strengths, weaknesses, positives and negative along the journey to complete my marathon on my 25th birthday. This will be quite an accomplishment considering to date I have never run more than 8 miles (which was last week), and only really started to force myself to run starting in May this year! Interesting way to start a quest to a marathon, likely different than most individuals!

Training day 1 started with a sweltering run in 104 degree temperatures out at Folsom Lake. This run had everything set up to work against me. The previous three days were filled with the all American celebration of beer, booze, candy, burgers, and chips. A true fourth of July celebration! In addition to eatting crappy and drinking too much, I decided it was a good idea to have a salad, red vines, and spicy cheeze-its for lunch! Not to mention the high fructose corn syrup slurpee 45 minutes before hitting the trail in +100 degree temperatures. Needless to say, I was delusional thinking this was going to be a good run.

We had only planned to run around 4-4.5 (which was to the rocks and back) due to the heat. I felt pretty good on the way out, we chose a route with some pretty steller hills, the way back was okay until the fire road. Once I hit the more exposed fire road my tummy started to turn. Thankfully I made it back to the parking lot at Cavvitt and a short car ride to D's parent's house before my body lost it. First sick belly after a run...check!

Things learned during this short run...
1) I need to hydrate better
2) I need to throw my handheld water bottle at a worthy passer-by...or figure out a new way to stay hydrated while running
3) Slurpees are not a good idea...I am starting to think ever, but for now, any time close to a run!
4) Salad's may not cut it as a solid meal item while training
5) Loosing your guts after a run is a right of passage?!

Tomorrow I will set out to discover a better way to hydrate on the trail as well as make the purchase to obtain a GPS/HR monitor. Apparently I am charging the hills, this can't be good for pacing!