DorkothyParker wrote: »

I agree with that others said. I would add to always, always, always train your race and race your training. Don't make any drastic changes between your training and the actual race itself. Don't try to run time faster than normal or change your eating (other than to provide the proper hydration for the distance). Do your race as trained.

I am assuming you will be building your long runs so you will probably find you are capable of going each of those distances without carb fuel just fine. But certainly, feel free to evaluate on the 7 or 8 mile long run. The longest long run in my training was 10 miles and since that went well, I felt more confident about my race-day fueling plans. Are you using a program?

I won't lie, I think those gel packs probably provide a slight edge on time with the "burst" of energy, but I don't think it's necessary. Mental training and recovery are really where you can build to overcome those near-bonk moments.

It's all theoretical at this point since I recently became injured (freaking hell) but since the race is not till December I don't really need to be full-on training yet either. I have stupid posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and I'm looking at 8-12 weeks of recovery time and I'm in the beginning of dealing with it so running is out of the question for now, a serious bummer.

But yes, I will be using a program to train, I think Hal Higdon since I bought his apps ages ago but didn't ever use them. My furthest distance to date was only 5mi so I have some work to do!

Foamroller wrote: »

@Phrick. I don't know the extent of your injury...but are you sure it's a good idea stressing over "training for the race" when you have an injury? If I were you, I'd consider what protocols (training and diet) are best suited to recover as priority #1 rather than put added mental strain of a race in mind.

Re keto adaptation. If you can go +5-6 hours without feeling hungry or starving, you're keto adapted AFAIK:) Following logic: Without the glucose spikes, the ketones kick in when necessary. They're also appetite reducing, according to Dominic D'Agostino. So hunger feelings is actually a pretty good but albeit anecdotal measure of keto adaptation. Stomach growling is NOT hunger. It's when the tummy is used to be fed (like a pet). Just my thoughts.

Good luck with any choice you pursue!

@Foamroller oh you're absolutely right and I'm not really "stressing" over training for the race especially since it is still 5 months away - I'm just so bummed that running is off the table again and for potentially so long. I actually have looked into several races that come shortly after this one in case I am unable to recover and adequately train in time - there's one in January, and another in March that I can buy if needed (and I haven't even bought this one! So I'm really not committed to anything yet).

I seriously am one of those "oddballs" who runs for the love of running - the freedom I feel, the lightness of spirit, the release of stress, the time to focus; it is almost meditative for me. All sorts of people tell me to just walk for now, and I do, but walking is SO NOT the same. Running has been "my thing" for a couple of years but I haven't been able to consistently do it for about the last 8 months due to various life circumstances (pain followed by surgery followed by recovery being the main issue) and it kills me that now that I'm cleared to run again, within the first month I'm sidelined AGAIN by this stupid injury. But I will do what is necessary to heal and recover, because I won't risk losing access to all the loves I listed above. I won't train through it, I won't do anything to compromise or extend the recovery time, because the want (and indeed, NEED) to run is so strong that it is a physical ache in my belly sometimes. I need to be able to get back to it, so whatever it takes, I'm doing. I'm just chomping at the bit and gnashing my teeth whilst restraining myself!