Born to Run: Week of June 19th

[jesvetmed]

Am I the only one running so far this week?

I'll start -- out for a 65 minute jog today in the wind. I felt ok -- nice run by the bay in the rain. But the dog only made it 45 minutes, and so I had to slow down and slow jog/fast walk the rest of the way -- she's getting old. I'll have to limit the length of her runs more from now on.:( My excuse for the day!
Jes

[Wahine]

Jes - are you OK? Have you been working too many late night shifts? Whens the last time you checked your calendar?:D

[kelownagirl]

I wish it was the 19th. I'm off work on the 27th...

[Kimmyt]

I'm in a cranky mood. The heat has been unbearable here. Went for a run on the treadmill yesterday due to 100+ degree heat. Today I was supposed to commute on my bike and due to a crazy storm we had last night, I decided last minute it wasn't safe to ride on the trail (several roads were closed due to downed trees and the trail I ride on for 6 miles is completely tree-lined).

Now dealing with feelings of resentment and frustration. I hate how I feel after I bag a planned workout.

Well, tonight is the last swim class and we get ice cream. Just what I need on the week before my taper. :mad:

[Skeezix]

I've just started running again, so I'm going to pipe up on this thread. I'm up to 30 minutes, 2.6 miles on my fifth time out of the gate (I've not run since the fall- so bad I know). Not the fastest pace in the world but I doubt I'll ever be really fast.

I really used to hate running and am not really sure that I'm ready to change that assessment 100% but I bought new running shoes and oh my lord, they are fantastic. I think it's made a huge difference, I'm enjoying running so much more. Plus I've found some music that really works for keeping me up and happy and paced well (god bless cheesy pop music).

[emily_in_nc]

I've just started running again, so I'm going to pipe up on this thread. I'm up to 30 minutes, 2.6 miles on my fifth time out of the gate (I've not run since the fall- so bad I know). Not the fastest pace in the world but I doubt I'll ever be really fast.

I really used to hate running and am not really sure that I'm ready to change that assessment 100% but I bought new running shoes and oh my lord, they are fantastic. I think it's made a huge difference, I'm enjoying running so much more. Plus I've found some music that really works for keeping me up and happy and paced well (god bless cheesy pop music).

Welcome Skeezix! Great to have you here. I just started running this year myself. Longest run so far is five miles, but I'm not getting too "serious" about it (yet, anyway), haven't done any events yet, etc. Just too busy with work and a puppy. However, I am enjoying it more than I ever used to when I'd give up after about 2 miles. I like the cheesy pop music too -- it definitely makes the discomfort more tolerable! :D

BTW, what running shoes did you get that are so good? Mine are getting pretty worn. They're still comfy (New Balance 754), but I don't think they have a lot of support left.

I've just done a 3.25 mile treadmill run this week so far; been really busy. Have a mtb ride scheduled for tomorrow after work, and hopefully another run on Friday.

Emily

[Grog]

Ran halfway back from work, a bit over 7 km. I should have run all the way, it took as long to finish the commute on the bus as it would have taken running!! But having not run in more than a month, I was prudent.

I love the idea of commuting by foot (running) although I need to figure out a better way to carry my keys (office keys + home keys = lots of keys). I wore a bike jersey, stuffed the keys into socks so it didn't jingle, but it still bounced around quite a bit as I ran. I could try with a Camelbak maybe (although the distance is not long enough to justify carrying water....).

I'll try to do it once a week in the summer, and cycle the other days.

[Wahine]

I always carry my ID, some money, my cell and usually keys when I run. I have a smaller waist type water belt with a nice big pocket on it that works and I also have some running shirts with smaller zip pockets that I got from Lulu Lemon, and that works perfect. You do live in the home land of Lulu Lemon after all.

[limewave]

I'm running!

Yesterday I did speedwork at the track. I was really short on time but I really needed more of a workout than just running a 5k. So I ran 2 min 1/4 miles with one 1/4 mile easy in between. I lost track of laps, but I had a total time of 37-40 minutes. It was a TOUGH workout.

Tomorrow I was going to do a brick, but the weather looks iffy so I may just do a longer run--hopefully 8 miles.

[Grog]

I always carry my ID, some money, my cell and usually keys when I run. I have a smaller waist type water belt with a nice big pocket on it that works and I also have some running shirts with smaller zip pockets that I got from Lulu Lemon, and that works perfect. You do live in the home land of Lulu Lemon after all.

I do have a few waist bags, maybe I should try that... I need to downsize my keyring for running days first and foremost, though!!

Any suggestion, dear Yoda, about how to ease a slight tendonitis of the big toe? It feels as if my shoe is too tight... even when I don't have a shoe on, and especially when I pull my toes up. It's definitely nothing broken according to the house doctor. Any wisdom is welcome. I have entirely cut running for a month, I didn't feel that pain anymore and just 7 km later it's back. :(

[runner2]

It's too hot over here, but I'm still running.
Get up early in the morning is the only way to beat the heat wave, and just do the shorter runs. My Husky can't even walk one block.
I bike more than running this week, but still running.

Stay cool.....

[Wahine]

We have had no problems staying cool here in the PNW lately. Today is the first day I have run with shorts in ages. I ran 5 miles. It was lovely even though the wind was gusted up to 40 mph.

Grog - it sounds like you're trying to use your great toe extensors to help clear the ball of your foot and toes as youswing your leg through. Usually people do this when they don't have enough strength in their tibialis anterior. Try walking on your heels with your knees locked. Then try walking on your heels with your knees locked and your toes curled. If the second one is substanially harder than the first, you're probably compensating for your tib ant. Therefore you must strengthen it. To do that, keep walking around on your heels with your toes curled.:)

[jesvetmed]

Jes - are you OK? Have you been working too many late night shifts? Whens the last time you checked your calendar?
HA! Look at that. Can't even blame it on lack of sleep -- maybe too much sleep?!

Missed my run tonight -- was going to do it after the swim.... see triathlon thread for this nightmare! No air left to run after, so went to Thai food instead! No guilt here!;)

[kelownagirl]

I have keyless entry on my car so I just carry the clicker thingy and leaves my keys in the car.

I went for my first run since my race last Sunday. My legs are still tight and I've been kind of tired so I had planned to go easy and only do 3km. I found my shins and other parts of my legs were tight and were hurting as soon as I started running. I did 2-3 minutes of running and then 1 min walking and ended up doing that for the entire 3km. Don't think I could have run any other way. My shins were sore when I got home so I've been icing them and I'll try to 'rub' out the knots a bit if I can. I should probably make a MT appt and get them 'stripped' again. Ugh. I had hoped to do a brick this weekend but that might have to wait one more week.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi guys,
I have been running, but have been lazy about posting. The only thing exciting about the runs lately has been the 100 degree heat with 100 % humidity. Makes for interesting training. Nothing exciting, just plodding along.

Yesterday I ran in the middle of the day. It was hot, but not humid. We have a nice new rail to trail about 5 mins away by car. It is currently only 4 miles round trip, but it is cinder, which I love to run on.

I decided yesterday to make a pro and con list while I was running.

What was bad about the run:
1. it was hot
2. my legs were really heavy from mt biking the night before
3. the deer flies were out

And the good points are:
1. My knee only barked at me once
2. the honeysuckle and mt. laurel are in bloom, heavenly
3. I saw a cardinal and a bluebird
4. there were only a few flies

So all in all, nothing special, but not awful either. One of those runs that I consider banked for when things get tough on race day and you need to mentally keep strong.

[roadie gal]

I took a few days off after my tri. Now I'm back into training. I'm still hoping to do the HIM in Sept.

I ran 30 minutes on the trails behind my house yesterday and also the day before. Starting out didn't feel good, but after about 5 minutes, both runs ended up being OK.

[emily_in_nc]

I had a nice treadmill run today of 4.5 miles (the last .25 walking). Felt good, nothing hurt. I needed to sweat after missing my mtb ride the previous night due to terrible air quality/smoke from distant NC wildfires. Poor folks in eastern NC have a "Code Purple" (http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3037860/) air quality alert today -- I didn't even know there was such a thing! :eek:

Emily

[OakLeaf]

Back down to business - intervals today. Kept it short (5 x 1 minute) since I hadn't been training hard lately, plus I'm not completely adapted to the heat yet. Also trying out my new handheld water bottle (not sure if I like it or not, but it worked out okay I guess). And I've got a stye in my eye so I couldn't wear my contacts. How do people do anything wearing glasses - what a pain!

Anyway, 3.43 miles total and it felt pretty good. Although not as good as my GPS thought. It's lying when it says I did the last interval at a 4:20 pace :eek::D

[runner2]

Only did 4 miles early this morning, feel good at the end. Tomorrow I am going to try out my very first kayak so no more running for me this week.
Have a good weekend all, stay cool.

[jesvetmed]

Nice day, had to get out between work shifts.
SLOW steady jog of 4 miles. Did I mention SLOW!? 43 minutes total slow! But I was a wee bit worried abouth the lungs so did not push it. Felt good. And SO GOOD to GET OUTSIDE IN THE SUN!!!!!!:D

[teigyr]

We're in Boston and I was going to use the gym at the hotel but it was tiny. I decided to go out for a 3-4 mile light run. Due to the fact I get lost (and got lost three times on this run) it was closer to 5-6 miles.

It was great though! I didn't trip on the cobblestones, I went through the Theater District and Boston Commons, and eventually found my way back.

Yesterday was the Pride Festival here. We were out of Boston while it was going on but there were remnants of the parade and festival when we went out for a walk later last evening. The music was great, the costumes were so much fun, and the atmosphere was so incredible. DH has never been to one but maybe another time. I assured him we definitely wouldn't be the only straight couple and it doesn't matter anyway :D

[alpinerabbit]

Hey Teigyr,

more people should go sight-running. It actually exists in certain places. Should exist everywhere :cool:

[kelownagirl]

Yay, I was able to run normally today! I could feel slight tenderness in my shins but nothing to stop me from running like last Thursday. I went easy and stopped after 5k even I was supposed to do a brick or run 7k this weekend. Figured it was better to be safe than sorry. 32:07. Podrunner bpm 168.

[Grog]

Went for a half-hour, probably about 5K run this morning. My new area is in the middle of town and although there's a park (a hill with grass on it, in fact) there are not many good places to run off-sidewalk it seems. I might start taking my bike down to the water and running along the beach... Hmm.

[yellow]

Did my first run since May 3. I have not been running, but have made the executive decision to start again since my body fat has increased 5% since March. Cycling doesn't keep it down like running does.

So, I went out with no particular goal distance or anything, just thought I'd start running and see what happened. Went early to beat the heat. Trails are still in good shape (not dusty yet) and the lazuli buntings were all along the trail singing their little blue heads off.

So it went OK. I managed 8 miles; I took it pretty easy and felt good. Stretched and used the foam roller afterwards. I wonder how sore I will be tomorrow???? :eek:

I really miss running. It's my first love, and I've been having a very hard time finding any love for cycling. I'm disappointed because it's too late for me to train for any of the big running events this year (which I formerly was really looking forward to). Guess I just need to think about next year. And I need to think about how to keep running and my personal life balanced (perceived imbalance is why I stopped back in May). Plus I need to lose this jiggle I've picked up. :rolleyes: Not eating Stacy's Naked Pita Chips and stopping after one mojito would probably help with the jiggle factor, too.

[Aside: It was kind of a multisport day for me as well. I wanted to get in the water after spreading some mulch and getting generally overheated, so I rode my commuter bike to the pool, swam a mile (which was fairly pathetic...boy do I need to start doing upper body work again), and then rode home (which is mostly uphill). Slowly. I think that's the first time I've ever done running, guerilla yard work, cycling, and swimming all in one day!]

[OakLeaf]

wow yellow, 8 miles after no running in 6 weeks, great job!

I've got my eye on a 5K next month... time to start cracking the whip I guess. Today I taught aerobics and drove yet another potential biking route to the gym - this one I think is a winner, going to try it soon. :rolleyes: Run tomorrow.

[OakLeaf]

ugh. Well I had to run today because I said yesterday that I would. :rolleyes:

3 minutes push, 3 minutes jog x 5. I forgot I had six intervals programmed into my GPS, but there was no way I was doing another one. Especially not when my fifth recovery brought me right to the end of my lane. The beeper went off for another interval, and I was like, "you !@#% machine, you've got to be joking" and pushed the lap button. I thought I was going to puke going up that steep hill the last time, at an 11 minute pace for the interval with my HR maxed out :o

4.1 miles total.

[rocknrollgirl]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!! Yellow is back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wahine]

Yellow!!!

[limewave]

Welome back YELLOW! :D

I took a little break myself (4 days). I ran 5 miles last night with DD in the jogger and one of my running friends.

[Jolt]

I've seen a few people mention a "brick"--what the heck is it? :confused:

[Veronica]

You know, used to build chimneys and some houses. :D

V.

[jesvetmed]

Bricks refer to training on two disciplines during the same workout, one after the other with minimal or no interruption in between, just as you would do in a race. Usually when people talk about bricks they refer to a bike/run workout, but bricks could also refer to a swim/bike workout or to a run/bike workout (if you are training for a duathlon). -- From Beginner Triathlete

They suck! But in a good way:p

Got in 6 miles today -- was supposed to be 4 miles, but I dropped my sunglasses somewhere on the trail, and had to go back to find them. Whew -- they they were, untouched, right in the middle of the trail! So, couple of miles extra, and the dog got to pass the creek two extra times which made her day!
Jes

[Jolt]

-- From Beginner Triathlete

They suck! But in a good way:p

Got in 6 miles today -- was supposed to be 4 miles, but I dropped my sunglasses somewhere on the trail, and had to go back to find them. Whew -- they they were, untouched, right in the middle of the trail! So, couple of miles extra, and the dog got to pass the creek two extra times which made her day!
Jes

Well, in that case I did sort of a "mini-brick" today--rode my bike to some local trails (took just over 15 min. to get there), ran the trails for half an hour then rode home. I like running there and had usually driven over there before but with gas prices being what they are, just couldn't justify doing so now. So I decided to start riding there instead since it's not that far--makes a good workout and doesn't use any gas!

[teigyr]

Ran a social paced 5 miles yesterday. It felt really good!!! The fantastic thing (or sucky thing, however you look at it) was that when I finished, I had averaged a 10:02 mile. I didn't try to go fast but I want that sub-ten minute mile, OH how I want it.

DH was nice and said it was from waiting for cars. There were a few instances where I had to slow down to let a car cross.

I wasn't trying for anything special but there is still this air of excitement when I look at my HRM at the end of my run :D

[emily_in_nc]

I worked at home yesterday, and it was SO NICE out (a "cold front" came through bringing cooler temps and low humidity) I did a little trail run on my lunch hour...only about 2.5 miles running, .5 walking, but it felt really good to be outside in the woods. I honestly thought running outside was done until fall, but yesterday actually felt like fall!

Tomorrow, it's back to the treadmill for me...

Emily

[teigyr]

Ten miles today. I should've known to scrap it but my day wasn't going as planned (was going to swim but then realized it would be a less than intelligent choice) and I wanted to do something. Anything.

It was hot out, at least for me. My water bottle leaked. I was tired and just not into it. I was getting that hot/dizzy/cold fatigue feeling. Maybe I should've eaten before. Maybe I was dehydrated. I don't know.

Anyway, I did it but was down to mostly walking by the end. Every time I tried to run, even slowly, my heart rate would go WAY up and my muscles would feel ineffective.

Ah well, tomorrow is another day. And, I had plenty of chocolate milk when I got home :D

[emily_in_nc]

Chocolate milk -- yum! You sure deserved it after 10 miles, teigyr!

I ran 4.5 on the treadmill today and felt absolutely wonderful. Could have gone longer but had to catch a shower and get back to work. It was just one of those good days where the endorphins kicked in and for that little bit of time, life was very, very good. :D I know most of you hate the treadmill, but for me it's nice because it is in a climate-controlled gym (I get SO hot outside), and I can just find my pace, put on my music, and GO. :p

Happy weekend all!

Emily

[Grog]

Geez, this week is getting long!

Ran one mile, all uphill, tonight, for the coolest event ever: http://www.chipsnotdeadyet.com/

The thing raised over $150,000 for the kids' hospital. There were over 2,300 people running up that mile-long hill.

There was a timed race for elite runners, "winner takes all $20,000" - quite impressive. I just ran with the "Bahamas Bridal Dash," with 400 other people, and LOTS of women in their wedding dress (or something bridal anyway). I had mine on too. Really fun. :) My sweetie brought me fresh flowers, which was nice.

Running in a polyester dress makes you appreciate technical, wicking fabric!!

[Deborajen]

Ah well, tomorrow is another day. And, I had plenty of chocolate milk when I got home :D

Ahh, the post-run benefits! I did five miles of run/walk this morning. Felt good - I haven't been running as much the past few weeks. IT band has been acting up and the inside of my knee and my hip have been hurting off and on, so I've been stretching and using the foam roller and cutting back on the running a little.

After I finished today, I got to have a nice slice of cherry pie - my all-time favorite! No guilt - gotta recharge the carbs. I sure do love running. :D

Deb

[Jolt]

Did about a 1 hr 20 min trail run (with a few walking breaks) this afternoon, and got caught in a thunderstorm near the end! By the time I got back to where I had started, I looked like I had gone for a swim instead of a run, but I must say the rain was refreshing. Also tripped over a root and took a spill a few minutes before the storm started--one of those klutzy moments.

[kelownagirl]

I had an awesome run on Saturday. Did 7km but felt like I could have run a marathon. :D Better than my painful walk.run that only lasted 3km on Tuesday.

[teigyr]

I had an awesome run on Saturday. Did 7km but felt like I could have run a marathon. :D Better than my painful walk.run that only lasted 3km on Tuesday.

Isn't it amazing how it cycles back and forth?

I had a fantastic 6 mile run today. It's one of those days when it all came together and I felt like I had control over my speed and over what I was doing. It was a FAR cry from friday :D

I always know it's a good run when I have enough energy to talk to the birds/dogs/insects as I go by.

[kelownagirl]

Isn't it amazing how it cycles back and forth?

I had a fantastic 6 mile run today. It's one of those days when it all came together and I felt like I had control over my speed and over what I was doing. It was a FAR cry from friday :D

I always know it's a good run when I have enough energy to talk to the birds/dogs/insects as I go by.

I think my weekend runs are good because I'm not tired. When I get up early to run on a weekday morning, I'm stiff because I just got up. When I run at noon or after school, my legs hurt because I've been on my feet all day. But on weekend mornings, I'm rested, and I have time to wake up and loosen up. It'll be interesting to see if most of my runs are 'good runs' when school gets out next week and everyday is a weekend!

[jesvetmed]

Had what was supposed to be a 3 mile run, quick and including sprints last night. This was after the 34 mile ride earlier in the day and sounded like plenty to me!

Finished that at the end of my trail (near my house)... and there was a weirdo coming towards me -- very untrusting, leering sort who just stared at me strangely and made my skin crawl. So, I turned towards my street, but instead just kept walking past my house (DH is not home, & I didn't want stranger to know where I lived...). I walked about 5 houses down thinking that he'd be well down the trail and I could turn back, but when I glanced over my shoulder, he was right behind me :eek:

So dog and I jogged 3/4 mile further down the street, turned onto another street and went to a friend's house. Chatted for 20 minutes till I was sure he was gone, and headed back home. No sign of him then.

So, my 3 mile run turned into more than 4 miles. I may have been being VERY paranoid, but better safe than sorry! The dog was not impressed, hungry and tired and just couldn't understand why we passed the house!!!
Jes

[Skeezix]

jesvetmed, Holy crap. That is so scary.