Runner's kit: what is inside?
Exactly one week ago, when I went to pick up my kit from the Adidas fair in Parque de l'Agua, I was 80% excited and 20%nervous about the idea of running 21K (21,097494 kms, to be exact like the academics like to be) at the occasion of Movistar Marathon in Lima.
The last time I participated a running event for a half marathon was a few years ago, in 2006. At that time my time was something around 2h20mins, I unfortunately do not remember very exactly. I did not consider it as a good time, but not a bad one either: my main concern had been to be able to run the whole distance, whatever time it would take.
In 2006, I did not follow any particular training programme, just went running a couple of times per week, like I have been doing as long as I remember. If there has been some months with less running, I usually compensated with something else: swimming, gym, yoga or cycling. This time I did not have any training programme either, not even any smartphone application that would post to Facebook or some other social media each time I go for a run. As I told already earlier in this blog, I signed up spontaneously about one month before the event, because I wanted to go with a friend (who then had to cancel due to her injury).
The last time I participated a running event for a half marathon was a few years ago, in 2006. At that time my time was something around 2h20mins, I unfortunately do not remember very exactly. I did not consider it as a good time, but not a bad one either: my main concern had been to be able to run the whole distance, whatever time it would take.
In 2006, I did not follow any particular training programme, just went running a couple of times per week, like I have been doing as long as I remember. If there has been some months with less running, I usually compensated with something else: swimming, gym, yoga or cycling. This time I did not have any training programme either, not even any smartphone application that would post to Facebook or some other social media each time I go for a run. As I told already earlier in this blog, I signed up spontaneously about one month before the event, because I wanted to go with a friend (who then had to cancel due to her injury).
But first, let us peek inside of this mysterious, orange plastic bag.
I have always loved all kind of "kits", so you can imagine that I was like a kid on a Christmas day (which happens to be my birthday too=double presents) when I received my kit.
As a background information, you should perhaps know that apart from that above mentioned half marathon in 2006, I have also participated in other, minor running events, so I have some experience with runner's kits.
As a background information, you should perhaps know that apart from that above mentioned half marathon in 2006, I have also participated in other, minor running events, so I have some experience with runner's kits.
Kitwise, women's running events are the best, especially if the event has interesting sponsors. In that case, you can find in your kit magazines, shampoo samples, energy bars, discount vouchers for clothes stores, tampons...anything, basically. Not that I can not afford my personal hygiene products ( this may come as a suprise, but most academics can -some just are less careful about their toilette). It's more about the excitement of what you can find in the kit. It feels like a present, so for a moment it makes you forget the high participation fee you paid for the run.
Now, I must say that this Lima marathon kit disappointed me greatly. What was inside? An orange t-shirt -not my color at all, not in this tone at least. Suits better dark people. Then, a little sample of sunscreen, which I did not need because the day was cloudy, but no problem, I can use it another time, so thank you very much for that. Then there was my number, the chip for timing, ticket for a locker where you can keep your stuff while you run and a sticker. A sticker! Where am I suppose to stick it, on my laptop or on my desk, like a teenager? Very, very disappointed with my kit.
I would say that surviving the kit disappointment was the first challenge of the run. The next challenge was to wake up early enough: the race was about to start at 8AM. My boyfriend-coach and I were planning to be there around 7AM, but of course this did not happen. We arrived about twenty minutes before the start, but that was ok. I stretched and warmed up briefly. At home, I had had a very small cup of coffee and some yoghurt and müsli for breakfast.
The first 5 kilometers were as expected, difficult to run because the road was too crowded. I started very slowly in order to warm up properly, but after 5K I became frustrated and passed some people to find runners who run in my pace. Then I drafted behind them until 10K.
After 10K, the energy drink started to take effect, and I kind of "woke up", and felt good about increasing my pace. Still, I tried to be careful to keep the same pace until the end of the race, and I must say I quite well succeeded doing this. So well, that on last kilometer I left behind a few people.
For me, personally, I would say that the difficult part was at the 17K, when I started to feel tired and having still 4 kilometers in front of me did not feel encouraging. But then, after 18K it felt like there is only so little left that I dared to run as fast as I still could.
On my first half marathon I remember having stopped to drink on each of the drinking points. This time I only had a quick sip and continued running. I had read some articles in the internet on running and hydration, and it seems that 21K does not require much drinking, unless you really feel thirsty.
At the end, my result (counted with the chip) was 1h56mins16sec. Quite an improvement from the first half marathon! I can not name any particular reasons for this improvement and I think the main reason for the better time was that I KNEW I had ran it before and I knew what to expect. Also, I have been training uphill running recently, and stairs, and I feel that it has improved my leg muscles. Many people also believe that practicing yoga is good for runners, and from my personal experience I can only confirm
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