Running on a wing and a prayer - Week of May 3

[Veronica]

I jumped up to 5.4 miles this morning.

The first mile I felt a little tight, but then miles 2 - 5 felt really good. The last 4 tenths is uphill and since I'm almost done, I push harder. That doesn't feel good. :D

It doesn't seem to matter how far I go, my pace is always the same.

I was listening to Bowling for Soup on my Thumps. They reference the Bon Jovi song. It always makes me laugh.

I didn't see the duckies today. :(

V.

[maillotpois]

Good job!!!

It will be interesting to see how pushing the distance out affects the pace. I never really kept track of my pace when I was a runner. If I did, I don't remember any of it now. I remember being a roughly 2 and a quarter hour half marathoner and never beat 5 hours for the marathon. I think my last (which was run/walk, mostly walk) was something like 7 - 8 hours! :D Most of my centuries are faster than that!!! :D That (and constant ITB "issues" throughout my running career - I was always in PT :rolleyes: ) are why I don't run anymore unless I am being chased.

[Veronica]

I do the flexibility segment of the Spinervals Yoga DVD on the days I run or the day after, sometimes both. It's essentially a half hour of stretching. It feels really good. I don't know how much it helps, but it feels good. :D

Now that I know I'm capable of a five mile run, I'm going to start doing some intervals on my 4 mile before work runs.

V.

[jesvetmed]

Way to go Veronica! You are cruising right along!


I was listening to Bowling for Soup on my Thumps. They reference the Bon Jovi song. It always makes me laugh.

OK.. a quick Google search tells me "Bowling for Soup" is a band. (I am SO out of touch). But what Bon Jovi song do they reference?

Do you love the thumps? Worth the $$$? I would love to go wireless. Does it work with the ipod nano?

So many questions!
Jes

[Veronica]

The Bon Jovi song is "Livin' on a Prayer"

Here are the Bowling for Soup lyrics from "Punk Rock 101."

Like Tommy and Gina they’re living on a prayer (singer 1)

Did you just say that? (singer 2)



So many of their songs sound like they are just having fun. They do swear a lot though.

I have the Thump Pros. The music player is in the sunglasses. I really like them. Having music can be very motivating and because the ear pieces don't fully block your ear, you can hear what's going on around you. I personally would never ride or run outside with regular earphones. I don't want to block out the world like that. On the bike at about 20 mph, there is too much wind noise to hear the music at my typical volume setting. If I'm descending, I don't care, but if I'm trying to go fast on the flat, I turn the music up a bit. And turn it back down when I slow down.

The controls are easy to use. Volume is on one side, on/off and forward/reverse are on the other. I didn't think I'd use the forward/reverse much. But the other day, a good song (Van Halen's "Right Now") came on as I started a descent and it was nice to go back to it for the climb.

I think mine hold between 3 and 4 hours of music. Paperwork says the battery will last 6 hours. I haven't been out that long yet - next weekend.

V.

[roadie gal]

8 miles outside yesterday. It took 79 minutes. I was going to do a loop that had a lot of hills and then weenied out and did a pendulum route that avoided the worst of the hills. This is my longest run since getting over the PF.

[runner2]

On every Sunday morning, I always tried to hit the trail before walkers and bikers show up.
When I do my long runs, I only care about how long I ran not how far.
Today, I ran about 82 mins. Felt good.

[yellow]

OK, so the weeks start on Saturdays now???

V, I found that when I went back to running after cycling I was stronger and faster than I had been when I took my running hiatus. You are such a strong cyclist that it makes sense that you will be a strong runner. Just be careful...in my experience, the overuse injuries tend to show up a little later in running than they do in other endeavors. Be kind to your connective tissue and resist the urge to bump up your mileage too much!

Well, I did something yesterday that I haven't done in about 10+ years...I ran a 5k race. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would! It was definitely on a whim; a friend of mine is the administrator of a private school that was one of the cosponsors for the event, and when my first plan for the day fell through (I let myself be talked out of a long ride...let's not go there), she suggested that we come up and do the 5k. So another friend and I went up to Park City to do the race. What made it appealing is that it was a trail 5k...no pavement. It was a Cinco de Mayo gig so they gave all of the finishers sombreros and had a lot of fun music and stuff going on. I used a pseudonym because I really didn't feel like being me ...so I ran as Speedy Gonzales. There was a guy there that actually ran in one of those furry Speedy Gonzales costumes (hard core)! And there was a woman pushing a 3-baby stroller (hard core!) and several really little kids that ran the whole thing (hard core)! And the weather was perfect. I really had no idea of a finishing time and really didn't go in to it with any sort of expectation other than hoping to finish in less than 30 minutes (I had done a 10 mile trail run the day before and my legs were t-o-a-s-t). Well, even though I got stuck behind the throngs of kids and strollers and dogs and other happiness at the start, I still managed a pretty good time; I think the forced slow start kept me from going out too fast. So Speedy Gonzales wasn't the speediest of them all but she did alright... 24:31. The trail was gradual downhill on the way out and gradual uphill on the way back, but overall really pretty flat.

But, really, that is the last running I will probably do for a while, esp since DH should be able to start riding here in a couple if weeks (road only...no mountain for a while still).

Thanks for indulging me, ladies!

[Veronica]

OK, so the weeks start on Saturdays now???



Nope - it was a typo on my part. And of course I can't edit the heading.

V.

[yellow]

Nope - it was a typo on my part. And of course I can't edit the heading.
OK, I get it now! :p
But, you know, I like to keep Saturday and Sunday together. I've never liked having the week break in the middle of the weekend. So maybe it's not so bad starting on Saturday after all. Hell, we could always break out of the mold and start the week on Thursday. After all, someone just made up the days anyway; who's to say Saturday is really the last day of the week?

Ah, yes, and since cells are mostly empty space, most of what we see with our eyes as solid object is really just...empty space. OK. I'll stop with my standard musings now. :rolleyes:

[Veronica]

I've always liked to break them apart. It's too tempting to put things off if they are part of the same week.

Must go run now. :D

V.

[OakLeaf]

IIRC when we turned over the New Year, we started a new thread with the weeks beginning on Tuesday, January 1 - and that was driving Yoda crazy :p:cool:

[Veronica]

4.1 mile run today.

I planned to try to pick up my pace a little bit. I've been averaging about 11:20 on every mile since I started. It didn't matter if I did 2 miles or 5 miles - my pace was 11:20. :D

Mile 1 - 10:29
Mile 2 - I threw in some sprints between light poles and up the two hills 10:23
Mile 3 - Recovery from mile 2 :rolleyes: 10:38
Mile 4 - Same sprints and a faster pace to the finish line 10:00.

Running isn't as much fun as riding, but it's not bad.

V.

[Kimmyt]

It was SO gorgeous outside today. Actually, verging on hot. THe loop I run during lunch at work is pretty much not shaded and can get pretty hot with heavy dust clouds kicked up by construction trucks and stuff (I know, sounds bad, but it's really a decent hill run) but it felt really good. And the sun felt great. I did have to stop halfway because silly me didn't hydrate too well this a.m... I succumbed to the urge for a medium coffee instead of the usual small. Despite that, I finished the run, stumbled my way up the gigantic Hill of Doom and am now sitting at my desk in a cold sweat. Ah the joys of hot day running. ;) No matter how long I take to cool down I never can figure a way to prevent the hot sweat-cold sweat cycle that goes on for a few hours post-run once the temps get over 70.

This afternoon I'm going for a bike with a friend and then depending on how I feel I might tack on a short run to get in my first brick of the season.

I'm so glad I can run again!

K.

[alpinerabbit]

Meh. More cursing than praying today. 6K in what, 45 minutes?! I walked some because I had to - I had side stitches. I'm going nuts here.

The pressure of signing up for a relay with my tri club isn't helping either. I will be so daggone slow.


OTOH I should be counting my blessings - sooo beautiful out these last few days.

[Shiraz]

Hi Ladies,
I am finally getting it all together after the move. I am reverified for the TE website and can post again.

Okay...I need help! I am in total denial about my next 1/2 mary run in Boise May 17th! I promised my daughter I would run it with her. I am committed in person but not in mind! I'm running but without the mental committment... I have got to get my head in the game. I would rather ride my bike... plant flowers.. buy stuff for the house..anything but train :eek:.

I will run it but I need to run with the attitude that my time will be what it is and leave all expectations behind. Just go and have fun! Can I really do that??Help! I could never take a test without being prepared and I feel the same way.........

[kelownagirl]

5km during school Running Club today. Only did one minute walk break. 35min total. My 10 yo son did the entire 5km with me today. Wow, I didn't think he could run that far!

[OakLeaf]

Five miles on the fitness trail. Was supposed to be a recovery pace after my 74 mile ride yesterday, but I always seem to wind up running the pace I run. Felt fine, anyhow.

[runner2]

Monday is my rest day after Sunday's long run. An easy 4 miles run this morning, and about 2 miles walk this evening with Kali.

[emily_in_nc]

3.5 miles on the treadmill today at the gym at a 10:15 pace.

~Emily

[limewave]

Last Saturday I did two runs. I planned on doing a six mile run in the AM, but the weather forced me to cut it short (I had DD with me). That night I was feeling good, DH was home, DD was in bed, I decided to do another run to get in my miles for the week.

I felt great. I ended up doing six more miles. The last mile home I was in the zone, picking up my pace when a man leaned out his window and made some really rude comments about how fat I am. I won't repeat them here.

The last few months I've really been struggling with body issues. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and my hormones are all out of whack after having a laparatomy. I've put on some weight and I'm really struggling to take it off. I'm running slower, riding slower, and having a hard time. All this to say, this guy really hit me where I was hurting.

I spent the next few days wallowing. See, I used to weigh more than 300lbs. I was a couch potato. Running, biking, kayaking all sounded fun to me but I thought I was too big to do those things--people would make fun of me. That man's comments made me feel like that I again. I don't have a runner's physique and I'm one of the largest cyclists in our area. I don't have the right body type, I should be at home watching tv, that's where I belong.

Finally, it hit me last night. Why am I letting a complete stranger decide who I am? Or anyone else for that matter? I should never give someone else that kind of power over me. I spent some time in prayer, some time reading the Bible and some time reprogramming my thoughts.

Today is a new day and I'm feeling like my old self again. I did a trail run late last night. This morning I got up early and did an hour bike ride--my first of the season. It was great. I love using my body, being outside, pushing myself. I felt like me again. :) I ain't no couch potato.

[OakLeaf]

(((((lime)))))

Good for you for listening to what YOUR body tells you and not what some !@#$@%$ tells you about your body. All he was doing is proving how ugly his mind is.

[Wahine]

(((((Limewave)))))))

I'm so glad you're out there movin' it and twice as happy that you've found a way to neutralize that mans nasty comments. The cruelness of people baffles me.

[tattiefritter]

Last Saturday I did two runs. I planned on doing a six mile run in the AM, but the weather forced me to cut it short (I had DD with me). That night I was feeling good, DH was home, DD was in bed, I decided to do another run to get in my miles for the week.

I felt great. I ended up doing six more miles. The last mile home I was in the zone, picking up my pace when a man leaned out his window and made some really rude comments about how fat I am. I won't repeat them here.

The last few months I've really been struggling with body issues. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and my hormones are all out of whack after having a laparatomy. I've put on some weight and I'm really struggling to take it off. I'm running slower, riding slower, and having a hard time. All this to say, this guy really hit me where I was hurting.

I spent the next few days wallowing. See, I used to weigh more than 300lbs. I was a couch potato. Running, biking, kayaking all sounded fun to me but I thought I was too big to do those things--people would make fun of me. That man's comments made me feel like that I again. I don't have a runner's physique and I'm one of the largest cyclists in our area. I don't have the right body type, I should be at home watching tv, that's where I belong.

Finally, it hit me last night. Why am I letting a complete stranger decide who I am? Or anyone else for that matter? I should never give someone else that kind of power over me. I spent some time in prayer, some time reading the Bible and some time reprogramming my thoughts.

Today is a new day and I'm feeling like my old self again. I did a trail run late last night. This morning I got up early and did an hour bike ride--my first of the season. It was great. I love using my body, being outside, pushing myself. I felt like me again. :) I ain't no couch potato.

Limewave, that guy is an absolute t*sser! What is it about some people that they have to have a go at you for being out there doing something - it says more about them than it does about you. I know what you mean about not having the right body type, I was at a 4 mile road race last night which was all club runners. I always feel intimidated/no right to be there at these things because it just looks like everyone is a super skinny whippet running machine (you know the type) while I have boobs, bum and cyclists (or speed skater actually) thighs. Thankfully everyone is really encouraging but I still had to to ignore the demons until I started running. In the end I didn't come last and surprised myself by my time - though as its a series of four races I'm going to have to work hard to beat that time.

Haven't had a chance to drop in much lately but your post struck a chord with me so had to say something!

[Deborajen]

No, Limewave, you're no couch potato. Didn't you run a marathon just a year or so ago?

I had someone do something like that to me when I was training for my first half mary a year and a half ago. I was doing a long run/walk and was doing a walk interval when two guys in an SUV passed me going the other direction and the passenger yelled out the window, "run Betty, you're FAT!!!" (Betty? "Ugly Betty" - ? - whatever -- not exactly creative). I'd recently lost about 30 pounds and was feeling pretty good about my training, running longer than I ever had before - then the "fat" remark - ??

Well, these guys are obviously clueless, and probably the realcouch potatoes (and not usually thin, either) who just can't stand seeing someone else do what they can't. It amuses me to think of their car stalling after they get past -- walk up towards their window and politely ask, "Did you say something?" They'd probably pee their pants. What macho men! (bleh!)

I did two miles easy this morning. Beautiful morning - temp was in the mid 50's and only a little breeze. Keep up the good work everyone - it's such an inspiration to read this thread.

Deb

[Kimmyt]

{Limewave}

That guy was most definitely not a runner or a cyclist, or probably any type of athlete at all. A real athlete would not have yelled that.


Just because someone is heavier than other people does not make those miles mean less. In fact, you might argue the opposite.

You are as much a runner as the Kenyans winning races, because you run. And yes, you could be sitting at home watching tv, but why would you? This is why you are a runner and an athlete. Because instead of taking the easy path, you have the strength and resiliency to want to push yourself, even to ENJOY pushing yourself. THAT is what makes an athlete. Not body shape or size.

So keep on doing what you're doing. There will always be people like that in this world, but the important thing is that we don't have to listen to them.

Stay strong lady, because you rock!

K.

[rocknrollgirl]

Lime, you should have asked him sweetly to come out and join ya! Now everybody here has said really nice inspirational things, and I ditto all of what they have said, but I am a street fighter by nature, take it or leave it, scrappy to the core, and since somebody has to say it...


Go to hell buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, I am done now...

BIG HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Guys....

I have been running and not posting, lazy. I am still struggling to get a routine down post injury. So I am trying all kinds of different permutations of a schedule. Today I decided to get up a bit early and try running in the morning. I went out at 4:30 am, did about 35 mins. I do not like running on the road, but I felt good, so I will take it. I may start doing it every Thursday.

[KSH]

WOAH! I can't believe some people.

I bet that a-hole who said something... NEVER runs. Or rides a bike. Or does anything that looks like exercising. Anyone who is an athlete, would never belittle anyone else who is out there doing it.

Just hearing that makes me so ticked off! :mad:

You are a good person to move past it Limelight. And you are right, don't let someone like that guy have control over YOUR life. He's not worth it.


In running news... I've had a dismal showing this week.

Tuesday I had a one-hour run after work. Started to run. Tons of lower leg pain. I pressed through it and did 5.25 miles ending up with a 11:20 minute mile. So sad, when just a week before I was running a 9 minute mile.

I had a one-hour run this morning and did it on the treadmill since I won't run in the dark alone. The pain in my lower legs was more than I could tolerate and it ended up being one-hour walk. Did 4.70 miles with a 12:46 minute mile.

This Sunday I'm doing 12 miles. Which means about 2 hours and 20 minutes for me. I hope it goes better than my other sessions this week. *Sigh*

[OakLeaf]

I couldn't convince DH to go for a little walk in between rain storms, so I had to run today :p - especially since I blew off riding last night because of the weather.

I didn't feel like driving somewhere just to go for a run, so I ran from home, which I don't much like to do. For one thing the surface is very hard and there's a steep hill before I'm really warmed up. But mostly I don't like it because it's a rural road. It's quiet and scenic - but it's narrow, there are blind hills, there's no shoulder (not even an unpaved one), and what traffic there is, is going 50-60 mph.

Anyway I put on my Xinglet and went out. The weather was just right actually - it didn't start to rain again until I was back home, stretched out and getting ready to shower. 4.3 miles.

[runner2]

Lime, stand strong for yourself, don't let others get you down, you will always have our support here, glad that you talk about it, hope you feel better now.
Ok, let's go for a run with smile on your face, because we are proud of you for doing the right thing. See you outside.

I got 6 miles easy run today.

[kelownagirl]

Hugs Limewave - it just floors me the ignorance and disgusting rudeness of some people. I'm sorry you had to hear it. :mad::mad::mad:

[teigyr]

Lime, that is just dorked up. I hope they were teenagers, at least, because I hate to think adults would be that way. In so many ways it comes back on them but it's still hurtful. I remember things like that in high school but I can't comprehend going through that now. I guess the only consolation is that they aren't happy people; how could someone content with their life be so hateful to someone else? I'm glad you realize that you are content with who you are. They'll learn, eventually.

I ran 2.5 miles yesterday. I beat my last 2.5 mile time by 1 second! I'm actually pleased because it didn't hurt after I warmed up and I wasn't sore today. I'm trying really hard to stretch so hopefully it's working. I actually can run under a 10 minute mile though I don't know how long I could sustain it. We will see.

[emily_in_nc]

Lime, I echo what all the supportive gals have said here -- you're out there doing something those jerks could probably never, ever do. Some people just like to hear themselves talk, especially if it's guys together showing off for each other. :mad:

I did a 4.1 mile run today on the treadmill. Since I found out yesterday that there is a 50% chance I'll be laid off this year (our product is off-shoring that much of the work, with the resulting staff reductions), I ran mad. :mad: As I went on, I started feeling better and better, and more empowered. By the end of my run, I realized that there is life after my company, my job. I WILL SURVIVE! :p

Damn, that was a powerful moment. Running rules. :)

Emily

[jesvetmed]

Lime... your story brought back a memory of when I was in high school... I was out jogging (not may joggers around back then), and two kids yelled "aren't you a little late.. you're already fat!"... WHAT? Wow... that bothered me for a long time. Funny that I still remember it -- obviously it bothered me! Yep, I second what everyone else said... you know it, we know it! That's all that matters.

Quick run this am in the 35 degree weather! Only had 30 minutes, so did 10 min warmup and then 30 sec sprints, 30 sec walk x 18. Cool down jog x 4 minutes. it was... well, CHILLY!

[alpinerabbit]

Went to the forest, plodded up a hilly, muddy trail and some more on road - it was great. I did much better on it than about a year ago when I tried it last. Maybe I was slower. Who knows. But it hurt less.

Then I got to this chip trail (that's a manmade trail filled with wood chips). I decided to do one lap barefoot. Eek that hurt. I ended up having to walk. They are usually made with sawdust but of course chips mean less maintenance. I tried this for my foot muscles. Maybe I'll have to do it in some sort of beach socks.

then 2 more laps in shoes.

NEway, 35 minutes or so. See if I don't survive this.

[kelownagirl]

Yay, my shins were quite sore yesterday so I was worried that I might not be able to do my "long" run today but I felt great! I always seem to feel great when I run on Saturday mornings. Anyway, I did a full 6 km (LOL, yeah I know that's not actually very long for most of you but it is for me), and I only did one walk break after 20 minutes. I probably don't need to do walk breaks anymore but I figure it won't hurt. Next week, I'll take one after 25 minutes, and the following week after 30. Then that's it.

I ran with the podrunner music and it's what really keeps me going. I read that I should be trying to run about 180 bpm (in keeping with a bike cadence of 90 rpm) so I've been trying to work my way up to that. I used to run about 160 bpm but now I can comfortably do about 176. Interesting. Going for a swim in awhile, and probably hard, hilly bike tomorrow.

[Shiraz]

Lime...you are an inspiration to all of us and all the people who have seen your achievements! I have always enjoyed your posts and love the picture of you and your daughter. Don't allow anybody to take away all you have accomplished!

I ran 6 miles yesterday by myself at an easy pace and today my daughter and I ran 11.5 for our last long slow run before the 1/2 marathon in Boise next weekend. It was a beautiful day and perfect temperature.

We had a freeze last night so I hope I don't have to replant my flowers!

[Kimmyt]

Hey a_r, are you trying to get into barefoot running? I think there's a thread on beginnertriathlete, or maybe it's the runner's world forums, on it. I think folks were talking about how when they started they tried to run on the softer surfaces like grass and sand until their callouses got built up and they could run on rougher surfaces. They even talked about guys doing barefoot runs on trails! Ouch!

3.5 miles here this morning on the trail near me. It was nice, cooler and overcast. The bluebells were gone this time, now it's time for the tall phlox. I love wildflowers!

K.

[limewave]

Thanks for all your support, it means a lot. I'm going to keep running. In fact, I'm going to do another marathon this fall :cool:

I'm off to do a trail run. I imagine I'll do a lot of walk/running as I am exhausted from cleaning and cooking all day yesterday, but I know some time on the trails will be refreshing.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms!

[tygab]

well, I guess my quick news this week is I did my half marathon on Saturday, and am now on a well deserved break from running for about a week.

:)

and my toes are even intact (thanks all who suggested new shoes in April!)

[OakLeaf]

Well since I wussed out on riding to work today, I needed some kind of cardio. I had to go in to the gym over an hour before my class so I could talk to the instructor I'm subbing for before she had to leave, so I had half an hour for a quick run around the neighborhood. Much hillier than I'm used to, but it was a beautiful day - 3.18 miles.

[Wahine]

I had a nice lunch time run of 3.5 miles. Not a lot but enough and the best part is that my leg felt fine and I was pretty strong.

This was my first run in 2 weeks. The last time I ran I went 5 miles and my leg was quite sore afterward. So I'm happy for the rest I had but I'm even happier to get back on the horse and be cooking along without any sign of irritation of my injury.:D:D