Running is Fun - Week of July 7

[Veronica]

That's my mantra this week. And gosh darn it, maybe someday I'll believe it. :D

I did a whopping 2.2 miles today. I didn't feel very good on my first mile. I did it in 9:47. That surprised me, since I really didn't feel all that good. The second mile was a 9:52. Betcha that's why my legs felt so darn heavy! They just aren't suppose to go that fast. I got my HR up to 190 going up the hill. :p

Was it fun? It was only 2 miles, so it was okay. Our air feels really heavy today and it's already 86 degrees out. I suppose I need to get moving earlier this week, since we're in for a heat wave. Running is more fun when it's cooler.

V.

[Fujichants]

It was quite cool here this morning along the beach and only managed 2.6 miles! I was supposed to do 5...My heart rate just shot up like crazy and I felt dizzy after about 2 miles. I think it has to do with me being tired...At least I hope so!

[oneskineejosie]

Today was interval day (ick), so I did an interval ladder:
1 minute run (moderate)
2 minutes recovery jog
2 minute run (harder)
2 minute recovery jog
3 minute run (harder again)
2 minute recovery jog
4 minute run (even harder)
2 minute recovery jog
5 minute run (like you'd run at the end of a race - all out)
and then I worked my way back down in reverse

I completed this and then finished the rest of my 6.4 mile loop at a nice comfortable pace. It's kind of a hilly run but I was pleased to complete it in 1:02:00, and still had some gas left in the tank. I guess this running stuff isn't too bad...but I still can't say I like it!:rolleyes:

[Shiraz]

No run for me today, I just got home from the hospital and am recovering from yesterdays run. My girlfriend and I ran to a track and took a longer route.We ended up with a prerun of 3 miles and then we did 6 -1/2 mile intervals with a .2m recovery (4.2m) and then ran home (shorter route) for a total of 8.85 miles. The heat killed me and I really feel the drain today. It was so hot! We are trying to get ready for our half marathon Aug 30. The temperature hit the 80's last year so I know we need to train in warmer weather but I am such a heat wussy.

Hoping to get a run in tomorrow AM when it is COOL.
RUNNING IS FUN, EVEN IN THE HEAT. YEAH!

NICE INTERVALS ONESKINS:D

[yellow]

We are trying to get ready for our half marathon Aug 30.
:eek:

I'm behind. Been mtn biking, and hiking with a friend in need quite a bit. But I managed an 8 miler at elevation last Thurs (my first "mountain run" of the year, up to about 9000' above MSL...moose-free but not quite snow free up high!) and have been getting 4 milers in the am before work (and before heat). I guess I'd better start training in the afternoon to get ready for that Whydaho heat...I'd better get some more miles in, too. :rolleyes: This week at some point I will do a 10 miler! Maybe!

[Wahine]

I ran 3.5 miles today. Phew!! It's funny how hard 3.5 miles can seem on some days. It was warm and windy and I think I'm still recovering a bit from my HIM &/or a big bike ride on the weekend.

Nice to see you Yellow and Shiraz!!

[Kimmyt]

Ran 3 miles today. It was hot and humid. Ugh.

[katluvr]

Had speed work on TM today.
Speed work--what an oxymoron for me! My "speed" interval is cranking the treadmill up to 6.2 mph and hoping I don't die before 0.25 miles!:eek:

Total 3.75 miles w/ 4 speed intervals.

One day it will become easy (HA!) and 6.2 mph will be my 1/2 marathon pace (double HA!)

Glad I found this thread. Need to "vent" about my wonderful run today!:D

[OakLeaf]

Running is so much fun, I really wanted to have EXTRA fun by making this interval day. I planned to run on the path in town after my annual check-in with the allergist.

But when I woke up, there was an air quality alert for today, particulates and ozone both. All things considered I decided it wasn't the best idea to wait until the hottest part of the day or do an extra strenuous workout, let alone both. As it was, even at 11 a.m. it was one of those days where they tell you to be careful because the temperature plus % humidity was 150.

So, another free run from home. Those hills definitely give it a bit of an "interval" character, especially that 15% grade a mile in. :eek: Not formal hill repeats, but the whole course rolls, there's almost no flat - couple big climbs and descents early on, then a gradual rolling ascent to my turnaround. I just wish I could do a loop instead of an out-and-back, but the shortest loop I could do from home would be about 8 miles, half gravel, and all of it just as hilly as what I'm doing now. Maybe someday :) I'm not there yet.

Five miles even, again.

[Shiraz]

Yellow! What you haven't even started training???? :eek:Don't listen to her ladies... she doesn't need to train. It all comes so natural for her. She could run it today and not even hurt! She is an amazing athlete.

I ran a tempo run of 1 mile warm up and 4.5 mile at race pace and 1.5 cool down. I was hoping for a 5 miler but it was all back up hill and I thought "I'm over it" and ran / walked back home. I have a bike ride planned for tomorrow and than I am back to work Thursday and Friday 12 hour shifts.

Nice to be back Wahine!:)

[alpinerabbit]

Running is SO MUCH fun that I had to go and do it at 5:45 this morning. 47 mins for close on 7K. I am trying rice syrup as a substitute for commercial energy gels. Had a spoonful in a glass of water before, because I need some bit of something in the tummy before I head out.

Running in the morning must be an acquired taste.

Shins aching very lightly. actually, it's gone now.

[Wahine]

She could run it today and not even hurt! She is an amazing athlete.


I don't doubt that for a second.

[rocknrollgirl]

Running is so much fun that I shared mine with a skunk this morning. Thankfully it was not a direct hit!

[OakLeaf]

:eek: Eeek R&R! Hope you're not still sharing it with that skunk!

[teigyr]

It was so much fun today I increased my warm-up just because it felt good.

I had the pleasure of doing hills today. As I was wistfully looking at a woman sitting in the shade reading a book (and drinking something cold, no doubt) I realized that if that were me, I'd be bored. I was happier on the hills. Now had I been able to do that AFTER the hills, I would've been good.

But no, I went to work.

The hills were hard but they felt good.

I am happy to say I had no wildlife sightings :D

[colby]

I only ran once last week, a brutal 4 miles... I never thought I'd say 4 miles was brutal, but after about 3 miles, I literally wanted to curl up on the side of the road and sleep in the grass for a while. It was an interesting feeling... muscles good, energy good, relative exertion good, then like a wind up toy that lost its wind, I was done. ;) I walked the rest of the way. I didn't really have the mental fortitude to push myself, and it wasn't a good idea anyway. I probably would have broken down and taken the nap after crying myself to sleep. :p We went kayaking for a few days so I didn't get to run again last week (just a lot of paddling and some hiking/walking).

Today, the same 4 miles felt much better, I felt smoother, faster, and like I could actually make it without the nap in the middle. ;) I need to do something cooling for my doggie friend to hang out with me on runs in the summer, so I'm researching doggie cooling vests. There's a couple different styles out there to choose from, amazingly enough (those military dogs in Iraq need something to beat the heat!). I think she would be much more comfortable if she could stay cool without forcing her to adapt. I'm a little burnt on stopping so she can hang out in the shade for every 1/4 mile after 2 miles.

Hoping to run at least once or twice more this week... anything, really, to get back on the wagon. This week is my last week of exercising "on feel" without my HRM, next week I'll probably go back.

[Wahine]

Colby - you have a right to 2 months at least of exercising on feel. In fact, it's recommended not to run more than once per week for 2 to 3 months after a huge effort like Ironman. Be nice to yourself.

[colby]

Colby - you have a right to 2 months at least of exercising on feel. In fact, it's recommended not to run more than once per week for 2 to 3 months after a huge effort like Ironman. Be nice to yourself.

Thanks for that, Wahine-Yoda. It's hard to be so focused for so long and have to revert to the total opposite for a while. :) I don't want to lose the fitness I've gained, but I have to remember that 2 weeks or even 2 months will not undo the system I took 6 months to build.

I definitely don't see myself running more than 4-5 miles for a while, I just don't have the desire in me. It'll come back. For now, I'll enjoy more cycling and swimming, and cross-training fun things like hiking and kayaking. The dog will enjoy walking instead of running anyway. ;)

[yellow]

Running is so much fun that I shared mine with a skunk this morning. Thankfully it was not a direct hit!

http://www.online-thecatsmeow.com/images/Emoticons/peppydp1.gif

[Jolt]

Running is not so much fun when it's in the 80's and very humid!! I went out this morning a little after 9 and it was already awful out. I did a half hour and felt like total crud the whole time--yuck.

[Fujichants]

I had a fun 5 mile run this morning along the beach...well fun...the first 3 miles were easy. The remaining 2 miles sucked but I just pushed myself. I feel good now!

Going for a 4 mile run tomorrow morning.

[kelownagirl]

I haven't run since my race on Sunday and my shins are still tender. I'm supposed to do a hard brick tomorrow. Hmmmm...

[colby]

Well, I'll definitely be holding off on the running the rest of the week... my chiropractor adjusted my hip and poked at things and decided I need x-rays and to see an orthopedist about possibly needing a contrast MRI, bone scan, or something. It's possible I have a stress fracture (less likely) or a capsular tear (more likely) or something else going on (also likely).

My husband also banned me from my bike until I can talk to the orthopedist about what level of activity is safe. He better give me something! Otherwise I'm off to the pool and the lake for some swimming and kayaking, and walking the dog (I can't do nothing, I'll go nuts).

Someone better run (or ride) a couple extra miles on my behalf this week ;)

[OakLeaf]

ow Colby, thinking good thoughts that whatever it is resolves quickly - and that there's some kind of cardio you can do while you heal.

[jesvetmed]

Colby.... take care of yourself and lay off a bit! Let us know what they find. Hopefully it is NOTHING that rest won't fix!

I had my FUN yesterday - intervals for me too.
Trail run, so some shade here and there, but it was HOT. I got up late and did not beat the heat and had to go to work in the afternoon, so it was "now or never". HEaded out at 1pm. Ugh. Took a second trail along the creek, which made the dog VERY happy!

All in all, 3.5 miles, 40 min: WU: 15 min jog. Sprint 45 sec, walk fast 45 sec, jog 30 sec, then repeat. Repeat again. 10 in all! THen jogged 5 min cool down and walked 10 minutes.

My obliques are always sore after sprint intervals!

Stay cool out there all! Including the dog runners!

[jesvetmed]

Kelownagirl: Did I miss your race report? What was it, and how did it go!?

[Kimmyt]

I am supposed to do my long run tonight after I get home from work. Usually I save them for the weekends but I have other plans and have to get one in this week. So, despite the fact that I just feel like laying on the couch right now, I'll be doing 7 miles at around 6pm tonight.

Between now and then I just hope I start to feel more like 'running is fun' than I do right now!

[oneskineejosie]

Today was my long-ish less challenging pace run. It is a beautiful 84 degrees with no humidity today, and I ran on nicely shaded multi-use trail. The best part - it's almost completely flat!!! I actually felt good and got into my comfort zone pace-wise, didn't push hard. Total: 7 miles in 1:08:00


My obliques are always sore after sprint intervals!



Ugh, that happens to me too! I just tell myself that the core work is good for me :D

[kelownagirl]

Kelownagirl: Did I miss your race report? What was it, and how did it go!?

Hmm, I posted it somewhere, probably on last week's thread. Anyway, it went well. I felt good, my legs didn't hurt (amazingly enough) and I managed to beat my goal (48:00). I did the 8k in 46:17. Not fast by the group's standard - I only came in 13/21 in my AG and 190/265 overall, but much better than I expected since I hadn't run that far before. I'm happy. I love races - now I wanna do more!:D:D

Today I did a brick - biked hard about 13km on a hilly route around home, followed by 3.3 km running. My lower legs were sore when I got up this morning but they didn't hurt when I was running, other than a few short twinges. But I didn't run too hard because they were still tender - avg was 6:20 min/km I think. I'd like to get under 6 min after biking if I can. (<10 min mile).

[teigyr]

I think if you tell yourself it's fun, it is? Something like that.

I did a 9 mile run and like a dork, did it at 1pm. It was hot :D It was a nice and relaxing run and the times I had breeze, it felt good.

The high point was a group of cyclists I saw. There was a mother and two young children. My route goes from a bike trail to the street to the bike trail continuation and the street bit is a bit nasty. Many people, especially with kids, tend to ride on the sidewalk. This group was on the street! The kids were in reflective vests and were wearing helmets (as was mom). Mom was behind them fairly close. When I got up to where the bike trail picked back up, the group was in the shade (bikes out of the way) stretching. Further up the trail, they started passing me. Each kid said "on your left" as they passed. Mom was a bit back, I think she was letting them ride on their own while she supervised from afar. The kids rode on the right side, they handled their bikes well, and behaved better than most adults I see though they were very young.

So, yay!!! I get so disheartened sometimes and I love it when I see parents being good role models.

[colby]

Thanks Oak and jes - it's definitely not a stress fracture, and I'm still hoping for "just really annoying muscular pain and not a tear or major injury" :) They claim to be making me an appointment with an orthopod next week to see if we can figure it out.

In the meantime, I did commute to work and have been walking, and am going to be kayaking on Sunday. I'll probably go swimming to keep me from going nuts until someone tells me what an acceptable level of activity is... it seems that the weight bearing stuff (running) is the big no-no, and cycling may be okay (but isn't always pain free). I'm really hoping this is just something that massage and lying low will fix.

[oneskineejosie]

Had my workout this morning with my tri training group - my first brick! Wow, uh, that was quite a learning experience!!! That first mile or so into the run - I thought I was going to fall over and die!!! Once I got my breathing under control my legs came back and I felt really good, surprisingly. This was also my first run trying out my new sneakers (Saucony Hurricane) and this was my first time running without discomfort. Good shoes rock!!!! On a less positive note, I definitely had one too many manhattans last night at dinner, and woke up very dehydrated and was unable to rehydrate properly, so I had to do the whole 5k clutching my water bottle. Lesson learned!!!!!!!

[kelownagirl]

I went out for an 'easy' run today and my shins were angry again. Only did 3.1 km in 21:20. PT on Monday. Might leave my long run for Tuesday instead.

[yellow]

KG...frustrating :mad: ...I'm sorry your shins are cranky. I hope they ease up soon.

OK, so I am tired today and I figgered it out...this week I:


Ran 34 miles (finally back above 30!)
Rode 35 miles of singletrack
Planned (and orchestrated) a big BD party for DH
Went to TWO baseball games (we have a AAA park here...love baseball)
Worked a full week
Mowed lawn, pulled weeds, drained hot tub, fixed cranky irrigation


Yeah, no wonder. :rolleyes:

Hopefully I can keep the running above 30 mi this week and then...I'm on vacation for 2 weeks. Bringing my running shoes but I suspect the pressure to not run and drink fruity concoctions with li'l umbrellas delivered by a cute boy will be tremendous...:p

[kelownagirl]

KG...frustrating :mad: ...I'm sorry your shins are cranky. I hope they ease up soon.

OK, so I am tired today and I figgered it out...this week I:


Ran 34 miles (finally back above 30!)
Rode 35 miles of singletrack
Planned (and orchestrated) a big BD party for DH
Went to TWO baseball games (we have a AAA park here...love baseball)
Worked a full week
Mowed lawn, pulled weeds, drained hot tub, fixed cranky irrigation


Yeah, no wonder. :rolleyes:

Hopefully I can keep the running above 30 mi this week and then...I'm on vacation for 2 weeks. Bringing my running shoes but I suspect the pressure to not run and drink fruity concoctions with li'l umbrellas delivered by a cute boy will be tremendous...:p

Well luckily it doesn't stop me from riding like a crazy woman!

And WOW, you HAVE done a lot this week! I'm tired just reading it all!

[OakLeaf]

yellow, :eek: I was just feeling bad about letting my running drop below 35 miles for the MONTH of June :rolleyes:

I blew off racing yesterday. I hadn't been training - some reasons, some excuses. Thought about turning up just for a run, but decided I'd rather do the club ride yesterday.

Three minutes push, three minutes jog x 6 today, from home (and this time I was ready for it and did all 6 repeats :cool:). I had GREAT fun doing my last push straight up the side of that 16% grade. 4.5 miles total.

I would've rather done a flat session of sprint intervals but didn't want to drive all the way into town to run on the trail. Regardless, it was fun :D, and my intervals were considerably quicker than the last time I did this workout last month.