I have been searching for the perfect sports bra that doesn't chafe on long runs. I noticed some hotspots after the holiday half marathon. I generally don't feel it while running but in the shower it burns and then it takes about a week to heal. I knew that my SheFit bras were great for HIIT workouts. They do start to rub on runs longer than 2-3 miles. I thought my Enell bras would suit a half marathon, but they chafed where it clasps in the front. I have the Freya bras, which I will continue to test. But it was time to try Crowned Athletic. Do I really need to start collecting a new line of sportswear? No. But have I been doing a lot of research into which of their bras are supportive? Yes. And have I been waiting for one of their collections that isn't too low-cut? Yes. And have I been checking weekly to snag it when I have the funds available, and the collection isn't sold out yet? Yes.
I purchased the Changed Fate skort, bra, and headband directly from Crowned Athletic. I loved it immediately. The skort has big pockets. One feature that sold me was that people said online that they could run without underwear. It might save me some briefs-area chafe if I don't wear briefs. The shorts under the skirt have huge pockets on the sides of each thigh, and the skirt covers it so it doesn't look like you have a massive bulge on the sides of your legs. There's also a pocket in the back for your phone and ID.
I did wear this set out on two long runs. A 15-miler at a faster pace and a 16-miler at a slower pace. I did get some minor chafing in my armpits, which may have been from the hydration vest, the arm sleeves, the sports bra itself, or the shrug I was wearing to stay warm. Finding the best starting time for a long run has been challenging. If I start at 4:45am, it's super dark and cold, but I'm home before it starts to get above 60 degrees. And it's easier to run in the cold. If I start at 7am, it gets too hot by the end of the run, but I don't have to carry any lights.
I think Changed Fate looks cute with the LARR tank top. I ordered a lime green top with my name on it for race day. I also think the calf sleeves are a nice touch. They offer mild compression without too much pressure. The argyle-print gives me something Merida might wear. I guess they're both from Scotland. It's good for visibility, which is great when I'm running alone. But it did seem a bit loud when I was running with a group that was not running on the roads. The irony of the name LA Road Runners when they only train on trails has not escaped me. I have the Green Mermaid Headsweats Running Visor from Sparkle Athletic that I got used. In some light it looks black and the Changed Fate print can look dark when you're not shimmering in the light. I guess I just prefer more vibrant (lighter) colors. But some people say that the darker color is an advantage because it doesn't show gross sweat patterns. I like the concept of Mama Bear.
That's been one of the challenges of marathon training, finding a way to carry the quantity of carbohydrates you need to fuel these long runs. If you don't practice what you plan to eat on race day, you risk eating something that causes GI distress. These are some of the things that I have had good luck with so far. I also have used Clif Bloks (not pictured here). The thought with having the Crowned Athletic skort is that it might be possible to NOT wear a hydration vest. If I could carry enough food with me, considering that there would be several Gu electrolyte stops along the race course, I could run without a heavy vest or bulky belt.
I got the genius idea to use Post-It notes to show visually all the training runs I have left until the full marathon. I wanted my husband to see which weekends would be a long run and which would be a taper. Unfortunately, the Rose Bowl Half has been postponed due to the fires. Our coach said that we can go ahead and run the program for training week 19 twice. It's incredible how unsettling it was to have a week with this disruption. I couldn't run outside due to poor air quality from the Palisades and Eaton fires, which were completely massive. I did two training runs on a treadmill: one at CSUN SRC and one at Planet Fitness. The road runners still suggest that we shouldn't run outside, but I did anyway this morning. It's that time in the semester when I have to plan and set those intentions into motion and then go on cruise control for the rest of the semester. Plan the work and work the plan.
Fueling Plan for a run that starts at 7am
7:00am - Gu 23 g7:30am - 3 Clif bloks 24 g
8:00am - Gu 22 g
8:30am - Fruit Strips 24 g
9:00am - Gu 23 g
9:30am - Fruit Strips 24 g
10:00 am - 3 Clif bloks 24 g
10:30am - 2 fruit snacks 20 g
11:00am - Stroopwaffle 26 g
11:30am - Clif bar 48 g
Noon - Rx bar 23 g
The goal is to get 50-60 grams of carbohydrates per hour while running.
According to Jeff Galloway, there is something you should do within 30 minutes. Reloading immediately with 100-150 calories is advised for a 5k or 10k. If you reload immediately, it will prevent that feeling of hunger later in the day. For a half marathon, 300 calories. For a marathon, 600 calories. Try to find something that provides 80:20 ratio of carbs-to-protein. You should be drinking 8 x 8oz glasses of water after the race. At least 6 is important. Soaking your legs and feet in water that is 20 degrees cooler than the air temperature for 15 minutes is very beneficial. Taking ibuprofen is extremely effective with runners. If you have the right run/walk/run, you can avoid the aches and pains.
Our coach for the LARR suggested baby food as a source of carbs while running. I tried that on a 10 mile walk and it was comical how much I was farting. I have no idea what they put in this brand of baby food, which I bought at the grocery store because it was on sale. Never again (for me at least).
I did a cost comparison of some of the things I do enjoy taking on runs. Because running-specific snacks can be overpriced, I wanted to see if there was a significant difference in terms of calories only. I'm not talking about electrolytes or caffeine. Some running-specific snacks have electrolytes and/or caffeine added. I've been taking SaltStick Electrolyte Fast Chews since the disaster of cramping badly at the Santa Monica Classic. During the race, I knew that I was taking in only carbs by eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but I didn't realize that I should be taking in a lot more electrolytes than I was. Now I take two SaltStick tabs per 30 minutes. I alternate taking salt tabs and carbs, so that I'm doing something every 15 minutes. My intervals are 2 minute walk, 1 minute run. Turns out that 1 minute is long enough to eat something. And then I have 5 intervals until the next time to do something, chewable. And each time I chew, I also drink water, so that helps me stay hydrated without having to think too much about it.
You can get your caffeine by chewing RunGum (fast forward to 1 hour 30 minutes in the Rise and Run Podcast episode 157). I've never taken RunGum, but maybe I need to "add to cart." It really is two months until the full marathon. I am considering bundling the Gu that I have already bought into Ziploc bags for each of the training runs that remain, so I can be sure I have enough to get me through to the finish line. I may need to order one more pair of running shoes, but I haven't done the calculation on that. I'm considering getting a pair of Ariel GTS 24's but I'm not sure if I should go a half or full size up to prevent losing a toenail. Maybe I should visit Fleet Feet Encino since I'm already going to have to pay full price, since the stock of Ariel 23's are pretty much gone everywhere.
- Oct 2023 white purple coral ghost 14 = 178 miles (these are gone)
- March 2024 black Ariel 23 = 250 miles (don't run in these anymore)
- June 2024 grey green Ariel 20 = 194 miles (don't run in these anymore)
- Sept 2024 grey pink Ariel 23 = 204 miles
- Nov 2024 grey green Ariel 20
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