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Friday, October 14, 2011

Friday Four

1.  I went to the dentist yesterday and thankfully didn't have any cavities.  Unfortunately, despite having next to no cavities as a kid, over the last few years I seem to have had at least one almost every time that I have gone (and often several).  I'm doing everything I can (special toothpaste, flossing, fluoride rinse) and still they keep on coming.  I know some of it is likely genetic, but yesterday the hygienist also called out running!  More specifically, all those sugary snacks we all eat while running.  Although I wash them down with water, I can't deny that gels and gummy chews are likely coating my teeth with sugar during long runs.  On top of that, she pointed out that if I am breathing through my mouth, it dries up saliva, leaving sugar (and ultimately plaque) coated on my teeth.  So I guess I need to be brushing my teeth mid long run? ;)  Anyone else notice an increase in cavities since they've been running longer distances?

2. After easy days at the beginning of the week, I jumped back into hard workouts this morning with a tempo run.  And with 20 miles on the schedule tomorrow, marathon training is back in full force.  Although my legs felt pretty good after Sunday's race, this morning's workout was pretty rough.  My first mile was fine, but then I just kept getting slower each lap.  Nothing hurt, but I just had no energy to pick it up.  I'm hoping that my legs feel better tomorrow or it could be an extra long morning.  Of course, I always seem to have at least one horrible long run per training cycle, so maybe I'm due.

3. I'm thinking about signing up for a short race (5k or 8k) two weeks before Philly.  Anyone else in the DC area racing the weekend of November 5-6?   I'm considering the National Race to End Women's Cancer 8k but am open to other suggestions.  It would be much more fun if I wasn't racing alone!

4. I know that sometime soon I'm going to have to start thinking about pacing and goals for this marathon.  I had some vague goal ideas when I started this training cycle and those were put aside when I started training with CAR.  People have asked me occasionally over the last few weeks and I've more or less been deflecting the question.  I need to find that balance between overambitious and too conservative. With my recent improvements, I'm still not quite sure what the right "slow" start pace is right for me.  Fortunately I have a little over five weeks to work through this.

12 comments:

Victoria said...

On #1, just wait until you need a root canal. Yeah.

Teamarcia said...

Um yep, definitely more cavities. I'm a not proud member of the root canal club. Ugh.

Liz said...

I was going to do the dog 1 mile race that day, but if Neil doesn't want to do it with me, I'll join you for the 8K!

amy said...

Um, to Victoria's comment, no way! I'm terrified of having that. But yes, I've had more cavities lately. I think it's because I missed 2 cleanings in trying to find a new dentist after we switched insurance.

Katie said...

my dentist told me that as well! and, swimming with your mouth open can stain your teeth.

i might be down for that 8k!

and, thom's pacing plan might be close to yours :) :) he was REAL sad about not being able to run 20 with you this weekend. stupid school.

Erica Gorman said...

Hmmm.....I thought it was missing some cleanings and genetics or perhaps that we don't have fluorinated water here.

Yes, I have more cavities but I think they started appearing before I started using gels....actually they did.

I was thinking it was a calcium thing as well but haven't had the courage to ask a doctor. I was also recently diagnosed with osteopenia and my thought was if my body is lower on calcium, how can it keep my teeth as strong as they used to be when I had more calcium???

Anyhow, I floss and brush like crazy. Use an anti-cavity mouthwash that has higher fluoride.

Anonymous said...

Let us know what race you decide, I think the results from that race should guide you on goals for the marathon, it's close enough to the race, that you can get a pretty good gauge!

I eat 2 tootsie roll pops a day and have for about 15 years... I'm knocking wood when I say, I rarely have cavities... :)

ultrarunnergirl said...

It's TOTALLY running. In my case, ultras. After hours on trail, running, sucking down Gatorade, eating GU -- yep, my first cavity, at age 35. I have another one almost every time I go to the dentist now. :(

Beth said...

My dentist told me the same thing! I thought running was supposed to be good for your health...

Jen Feeny said...

You know, now that you mention it... Wow! I would never have thought of that before!!! It makes perfect sense though!

Less than stellar long runs happen but I think they do to remind you during the race that if you could make it through those you can make it through anything.

Emily P (@trirunner302) said...

My dad is a dentist so I will definitely be asking him about #1!

I'm racing on 11/6 - The Dash 5K and Doggie Run. It's being organized by my coach - you should come out!

Elizabeth said...

Interesting about the running and cavaties. I have noticed more cavaties as an adult! For your mararthon, maybe start out at a pace that would yield a consevative goal and speed up in the second half if you feel good to get that more agressive goal!