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I find a great deal of comfort in routine. For long runs >10 miles or races 10K and beyond much of what I do is routine.
I eat pasta the night before.
What I'm going to wear is picked out the night before.
Whether it's in the comfort of my own home or a hotel lobby with a laptop my morning starts with coffee and my computer.
Breakfast is a whole wheat bagel with 1/2 tbs of almond butter.
I always wear my Garmin. Charged and ready.
And an iPod is a must. I may not even use it but I have it if I need it (which is usually about mile 12).
And last but not least I seek sources of inspiration and motivation. Sometimes it's a Post-It on the dash borad of my car or a new t-shirt. This is a peek inside my office. I hung a copy of the Chicago Marathon map and a marathon magnet on the wall behind my computer. A friend shared this idea and I love it.
Most of these things I've been doing (with a little tweaking) for as long as I've been running. Even when we travel for a race I prepare so I can keep my routine. My source of comfort and calm.
Do you prefer routine or more spontaneous long runs? Do you have a running routine?
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Now the link up!
Oh I am SO OCD when it comes to my pre long run routine!! Any other run I can be spontaneous but that long run has to go step by step!!
Posted by: Nancy C | August 19, 2011 at 09:00 AM
I like routine for races but long run day usually ends up with me jumping out of bed at lat minute looking for things as my friends go early, I've never trid almond butter sounds nice,thanks for the hop :)
Posted by: Claire Justine | August 19, 2011 at 09:21 AM
I'm very routine for long runs and races. I lay out my clothes and get my breakfast and run fuel ready to go. In the morning I have a quick cup of coffee and my breakfast and head out.
BTW, you're a winner for my virtual 5K... check it out! Thanks for playing!!
Posted by: Carrie@FamilyFitnessFood.com | August 19, 2011 at 09:51 AM
I love a routine for long runs, I think it ensures the run will go better and I will get out the door faster. I like to listen to podcasts on my long runs, makes the time go faster.
Posted by: Christy | August 19, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Coffee and my computer are a must for every morning!
I do like to plan longer runs because my time is so limited and any delay may mean missing my time to run.
Posted by: Dina @ DinaRuns | August 19, 2011 at 10:10 AM
I'm a little OCD with laying everything out before hand. Mile long runs aren't crazy long yet, so I don't worry about the meal the night before...and I can't run with a cup of coffee in my belly. But I will have my clothes and my beloved BodyGlide laid out tonight before I go to bed. I hate running around in the morning grabbing everything. Ironic, almost :-)
Posted by: Sarah Kiersh (@100CalsPerMile) | August 19, 2011 at 10:45 AM
LOVE THIS. my routine is very similar...i definitely have to feel mentally prepared the day before so i am not rushing around last second the next morning!
Posted by: Julia | August 19, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Don't have a routine for runs... I wing it completely.
Love Marantha AB too!
Posted by: Elle @ We can begin to feed... | August 19, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Hi Nancy. I'm glad to see I'm not alone in my OCD tendencies :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Hi Claire. Last minute for me would stress me out and almost guarantee forgetting something LOL
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Hi Carrie. We have similar routines except my coffee is slow and leisure. I won? Cool!
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:48 PM
I just tried listening to a Another Mother Runner podcast about mid long run. I was running with my husband and a friend or I would have probably listened to more than I did. Do you have any podcast recommendations?
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:51 PM
I definitely have a routine too :) It's similar to yours.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 19, 2011 at 05:51 PM
Hi Dina. Coffee and computer! Actually, that is part of my everyday routine too :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Hi Sarah. Running around in the morning grabbing things would 1. stress me and 2. guarantee that I forget something :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Hi Julia. Rushing around the morning of is not a good thing. So much more relaxing to know I'm prepared.
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:55 PM
I could never wing it LOL
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Hi Jennifer. So, I'm not alone in my planning and prep :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 05:56 PM
Stopping by from Mom Bloggers Club. Following you here and on Twitter...and looking forward to more posts!
Posted by: Lanae (@Hungrigyrl) | August 19, 2011 at 07:15 PM
Hi and welcome Lanae! Off to check out your blog :)
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | August 19, 2011 at 07:25 PM