Running Gag - Week of 2/16-2/22

[OakLeaf]

I'll start. (The thread title is just the first thing that popped into my head, not a commentary on anyone's running! :p I don't think we've used that one before.)

Today was supposed to be my day off, and I really needed it after a hard 54 mile ride yesterday and a 5K race on Saturday. I hadn't had a day off since before last week's long run.

But. (There's always a but.) I'd promised a friend I'd teach her aerobics class tomorrow, and right after that we're going to visit the in-laws. So if I didn't run today my schedule was going to be all scr*wed up. I whined and moaned and took way too long to get dressed and warmed up, but I finally headed out the door.

I'd waited until awfully close to high tide, so the beach was pretty soft. The wind was fierce, straight up and down the beach - 17 mph steady and gusting to 26. My out lap was @ 13:02, the return trip was @ 9:57, just thanks to the wind - a 14 minute difference over the same distance. :eek: Plus it filled my shoes up with sand - not so comfortable.

On last week's long run I'd just brought 16 oz of water, and it really felt like I was out of fuel by the end of it. Plus, we had one packet of powdered Gatorade left from when we had the stomach flu two weeks ago. So I figured it was time to "graduate" to all three 8-oz bottles that came with my hydration belt, and fill two of them with Gatorade for some carbs on the go. It felt pretty heavy starting out, but it must've been the right decision, because I didn't get the same feeling of depletion I had last week.

Nine miles and no problems. Ah, it seems so easy to keep adding mileage... I'm really working on body mechanics with yoga and massage and self-massage and Chi Running, but I'm still half sure I'm going to run into a problem sooner or later. Keeping my fingers crossed and doing whatever I know how to do to prevent that!

So tomorrow I get the easy day... low impact aerobics and the motorcycle ride and that'll be it.

[solobiker]

Good for you Oak, I would love to be able to run on a beach. I went out for a 3 miler, I was planning on doing a little more but my right calf was bothering me. Last summer I strained it big time and could hardly walk for a couple of weeks:eek: Gosh, back in 2001 I had no problem going out for a 6-9 mile run. Well, it is my goal to get back up to that this summer. Maybe I should find a race to train for. Have a great week everyone.

[Aggie_Ama]

Ugh rain last night and I don't have a dreadmill. Tonight more rain in the forecast but am heading to my mom's for dinner. She does have the old dreadmill so it may be 30 minutes on it. My training schedule this week is all messed up, I may have to do my long run on Friday. :rolleyes:

[jesvetmed]

Oak -- running on the beach sounds so great!

I'm off to PT appointment today to get them to help me with my calf. I'm still unable to walk much, and running has been out of the question. So, I'm hoping they can help! The good news is the PT guy is a huge cyclist and does custom fitting (and bike building if you have the $$$), so he should be quite familiar with athletes (or us athlete-wanna-be's)! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Looking forward to being able to post my runs here again!

[Urlea]

Got out for a strong 6.5 miler today.

Most of the rain that had turned to ice on the sidewalks last week was gone thanks to warmer temperatures over the weekend. Other then the section at the underpass that was 2" thick solid ice, I must have looked like a staggering drunkard as I tried to navigate through it.

It feels great running with less layering now that the temps. are above zero. :D

Jes Hope your PT apt. today went well!!

Aggie Rain can be such a downer. (No pun intended) The week before last it rained several days in a row here. I hate the dreadmill & it drove me crazy not being able to run. Here's hoping that it stops falling so you can get back out there!

[limewave]

Sounds like some of you are having some great runs!

Aggie--I HATE it when my training schedule gets messed up. Don't let it get you down though.

I've been doing the occasional run and have felt okay. 3-4 miles is my limit. Tonight I plan on walking on the treadmill while watching the Tour of California coverage. I'm hoping to get in 90 minutes, possibly do some intermittent jogging. Then do 30 minutes of strength and stretching.

I'm over 1/2 way through the pregnancy. Just 3 months to go! Sorry I've been absent the last few months. I've been a little down in the dumps. DH and my salaries were both reduced significantly and I've had to take on a second job. We're trying to come up with a better long-term solution . . .

[Wahine]

Jes - sorry to hear about your calf!! That stinks. Hope your PT goes well.

Lime - things are tough right now for a lot of people. Sorry to hear you're suffering too. Take care and it's good to see you staying active during the pregnancy.

[jesvetmed]

Wahine's back! Long time since I've seen your name here! Good to "see" you again!

The PT went well -- he says I have a decreased amount of flexibility in my ankle on that side (10% less than the left) and we are going to work on that with "aggressive stretching", some massage (wonderful!), and some exercises. He thinks he can get me back to light running in a couple of weeks. I hope he's right! I do love the calf massage -- maybe I can continue that as I heal... "just in case":rolleyes:. Also, wants me to get "the stick" -- roller thingy to massage my own calf and work out the knots.

Will keep you posted as we try to get me back on the trail.
Meantime, I'll keep reading everyone else's posts and living vicariously!

Lime: So sorry about the reduction in salaries -- tough when it happens to both of you. Hang in there -- hope you all find a better solution.

[Susan Otcenas]

HI all,

Yesterday I had a slooooow 45 minutes (10 min run, 1 min walk, 4 sets). I'm completely bewildered, but I seem to have strained my lower back. I can't figure out what I did. I just woke up this way Sunday. I pushed Sunday's run to yesterday, and just trotted along veeeeerrrry slooooowly. It loosened up a bit, but I'm really babying it. I swam this morning, which was pain-free for the most part, but I can still feel it there, lurking. I wonder if a massage would help.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to run 20, walk 1, run 20. I'm hoping it feels better and that I can run without pain. I've spent the past 3 months upping my time and mileage and have several event goals this year. I would hate to get injured now! :(

lime- I'm so impressed that you can juggle two jobs, children, pregnancy, a husband, and still find time to work out. Wow! How do you do it?? It must be stressful.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Guys,
I am sorry for the injured calf people. I love the stick by the way. I use it on my quads.

Lime, I did not know you were expecting. Congrats. Sorry about the job situation.

I went out the door at 4:28 this morning to do a hill workout. It was dark and cold, but clear and beautiful. I run fast in the dark when I can't see myself!:)

[eclectic]

Hi Limewave - congratulations on the pregnancy but I am sure it is stressful given the employment situation. Hearing you say that is the first time the national recession reality has hit me. I haven't "known" anyone who has been affected by all this.

I am living in one of the few states that is not feeling any of the recession at all. In fact we have a lot of jobs unfilled (won't say how much they pay :rolleyes: and we have a housing crisis here - not because of being able to sell but because we have none to buy or rent so the prices are still inflated for this area. Why isn't everyone moving here you may ask - Well the saying is "40 below keeps out the riff raff" very few people WANT to live here.

Urlea - how is it at your end of the state?

I totally digress from running but I really do feel for you Lime and wish I knew someway to make it easier for you :( BUT great job on the running and exercise - your wee one is thanking you! :D

Re the "stick" what exactly is that? I have heard of it but is that the official name? My calves have been really bothering me even w/ all the stretching I am doing so my swim coach told me to take my rolling pin and use it. That seems to be helping.

My run schedule is totally off too. I have Parent teacher conf 2 nights this week. I am going to try to do my long run tomorrow night on the Dreadmill.

Urlea I can't believe you have had enough thaw to run outside - it is still horrible here. At lunch we were talking about how stupid it is for people to try running outside because our streets are barely wide enough for 2 cars to pass each other,(and in some places 1 car has to wait for the other to go) and the visibility at intersections is terrible because you can't see around the snow piles - also we have no dry streets including the main busy ones. I finally gave up shovelling my sidewalk to the concrete because I can't get to it w/o a chisel. the snow piles on either side of my walk are at least 4.5 feet high. We never get more snow than you do but I think this year we made the exception.

I just have to add this:
"HOW BAD IS IT?" it is soooo bad Super Walmart closed for over a week to get the snow off the roof!

Happy trails to all

[yellow]

I run fast in the dark when I can't see myself!:)
:D Me too!

Welp, I did the 25k trail race on Sunday and I will focus on the positive:


It didn't rain!
I finished!
I met all kinds of wonderful people!
I did not fall or otherwise do anything to draw blood!
Being "mature" has its advantages! I got first in my age group!


It was super windy (as in gusts up to 40 mph) but thankfully it didn't rain in that part of Cali (like it did on the guys riding the tour). I was most definitely undertrained (too much skiing, not enough running! Imagine that!), although I was only about 5 minutes slower this year than last. I didn't have "it" in me for the last 5 miles like I did last year...I was pretty disappointed with that, but oh well. At least I finished. You can read more about it if you'd like on my blog (http://stucktotheearth.blogspot.com/2009/02/andon-being-turned-inside-out.html).

My goal is to be better trained for the next one at the end of March. I don't want to feel like scrambled eggs for the last 5 miles of that one.

Oh! And solo, I know it's a drive for you, but I'm intrigued by the trail runs out of Gateway. They don't have any of the 2009 dates published yet, but they have multiple events with multiple distances. Of course, there's no shortage of nice trail events in CO!

[eclectic]

congrats on the run Yellow!

re the 5 min time difference from last year - what was the wind like last year? 40 mph gusts are brutal.

GREAT JOB on a GREAT FINISH ! ! !

[Urlea]

Way to focus on the positive Yellow ! Sounds like some really difficult conditions, but you toughed it out. Be proud of that!! :D

Eclectic- The icing here really isn't that bad. Usually I can find a clear indent in the midst of a section of ice and make sure I plant a foot there to avoid falling. It's definitely slick in spots, but after running on glare ice sidewalks/roads in Japan I felt prepared for the conditions today. Sorry to hear that it's still so icy further north!

[kelownagirl]

Hi ladies, nice to see how everyone has been doing! I finally got out for a half decent, fairly pain-free run (with frequent walk breaks). Hoping the worst of my shinsplints are behind me (again...)

Oakleaf - nice on building up the mileage - crossing my fingers you are wrong about a problem cropping up!

Limewave - sorry about the work sitch - seems that's all we hear nowadays.. :( But wow, I didn't know you were pregnant - congrats! I haven't been around much obviously!

Jesvetmed - calf pain - sux. I am having ongoing shin problems - so I can commiserate... :(

Yellow - 25k race! And first place! Sounds all good to me!

Wahine - hey you! :)

[rocknrollgirl]

http://www.amazon.com/Stick-17-5-Self-Massage-Tool/dp/B001004ZYQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1234952692&sr=8-4



This is the stick. One of the track coaches at school gave mine to me. I love it.

[limewave]

http://www.amazon.com/Stick-17-5-Self-Massage-Tool/dp/B001004ZYQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1234952692&sr=8-4

This is the stick. One of the track coaches at school gave mine to me. I love it.

You can also use a rolling pin--which is what I do. But, when I go to the sports doctor once a month, I have them roll me out with the stick. Always feel like a million bucks afterwards.

I broke the treadmill last night so I only got in 60 minutes instead of 90. I think it's just a loose bolt, so hopefully it will be up and running again soon.

Yellow--Congrats on a great race!

[Aggie_Ama]

I slept before going to my parents, a nap instead a run not sure that is helping the training. But it was an amazing nap, my littler Schnauzer curled up with me and rain pitter pattering outside.

Tonight my friend is taking me out for my birthday but I may still do my 30 minute run afterward. Sure Mexican food isn't ideal fuel but it is only a 30 minute run. Being a bum all week isn't going to make the 8 miles this weekend any easier!

Eclectic- Your weather sounds like the stuff of nightmares!! I can't function below 40 and did I read -40. :eek:

Yellow- Congrats. I am still trying to convert the mileage, my head is hurting. Is that 15?

Lime-I may have to try the rolling pin, DH had been wanting a stick but I have 3 rolling pins. I am finding stretching my back over the balance ball is MAGICAL. Not sure it is recommended but doing a backbend over it at night keeps me able to sit up.

[kacie tri-ing]

Congrats yellow! I know it is frustrating not to really make a goal, BUT you did really well!

Lime--man, I am tired just reading your post! You can do it though! Sometimes running/biking can be that light spot. I know on bad days, I spend my whole day looking forward to my training. Even if you can only do it a couple of times a week, it has to be something you look forward to!

I did 6 miles on the treadmill, and I met my coach to check out my swim stroke.

After a good race last weekend, I really want to run another one this weekend, but it is not on my schedule...I really have to "corral my demons" (which is what DH says when I can't control how much I want to train). I'm on my bike today!

Have a good run everyone!:)

[solobiker]

http://www.amazon.com/Stick-17-5-Self-Massage-Tool/dp/B001004ZYQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1234952692&sr=8-4



This is the stick. One of the track coaches at school gave mine to me. I love it.


Not sure if this would work quite yet, I had a slight tear. It was strange as I was just running along and felt a snap and boy did that hurt. I had to walk home and I heard and snapping sound everytime I moved my right leg. It is starting to flair back up. I will rest it a little more. I am going to Florida this weekend so I hope for some running in the sun!!

[limewave]

Lime-I may have to try the rolling pin, DH had been wanting a stick but I have 3 rolling pins. I am finding stretching my back over the balance ball is MAGICAL. Not sure it is recommended but doing a backbend over it at night keeps me able to sit up.

My doc has me do backbends on the balance ball to stretch out. He must know what he was talking about, he was one of the team doctors for Discovery Team on the tour a few years.

[Aggie_Ama]

Good to know! It wasn't meant to be directed at you but that is good to know. A lot of the magazines have exercises with them but I just figured out it really helps to do a backbend. My lower back has really been aching lately.

I didn't realize you were so close to being due. I guess 3 months doesn't feel close enough though does it?

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry for the injured folks -- I completely understand. It's no fun! I finally did a slow three-mile run on the treadmill for the first time since my quadriceps tendinitis. I couldn't believe how hard it seemed! I was just glad to finish, and my knee hurt a bit afterwards, but below the knee, not on top like before. And the pain was gone by the day after.

Glad to see you around, limewave, but sorry about the job situation. The company I work for is in CH. 11 bankruptcy protection, but so far I am still getting a paycheck. I won't get a raise or bonus, but no pay cut either -- unless of course I am laid off, and severance has been discontinued because of the bankruptcy protection, so it's "thanks for playing, now here's the door". Scary times indeed!

[solobiker]

Lime and Emily, I hear you about your jobs. My hours are beginning to get cut and I am at risk of losing my health insurance. Pretty stressful.

[eclectic]

He must know what he was talking about, he was one of the team doctors for Discovery Team on the tour a few years.

Very KEWL!

[eclectic]

Lime and Emily, I hear you about your jobs. My hours are beginning to get cut and I am at risk of losing my health insurance. Pretty stressful.

I am so sorry to hear that. :( I can't even imagine what that would be like to be going through.

[Wahine]

Hi KG!!

Yellow - You rock. Good job, I'm sure the conditions had a lot to do with the time difference.

Stick vs Rolling pin - rolling pins are cheap but the stick is lighter and easier to use on yourself, especially for calves.

Hugs to all you injured people and stressed folks.

[OakLeaf]

Yellow, way to go!

Also, Yellow, can I ask you about sizing on that Nathan hydration pack you like so much? I sure have a hard time getting packs to fit me, and I hate to mail order something that's not going to fit, so I wonder how your size compares to mine. If you know or if you don't mind asking someone to measure, how long is your back, and how broad are your shoulders?

Lime, Emily, Solo, Denise if you're looking at this thread, all of you struggling in this economy, sending my prayers that everything turns for the better and that you and your families make it through unscathed.

Solo, ouch, hope your leg feels better. Where are you going in Florida?

Jes, in the meantime until you get a Stick, I've been doing a trick I learned from the trigger point book (http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1572243759/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235010390&sr=8-1). You can get into your calf muscles pretty deeply with the opposite knee. Either sitting in a chair or reclining on the floor, draw the leg you're working on along the opposite knee, working from the ankle toward the knee. You can go side to side a bit whenever you hit a trigger point. The weight of your leg creates enough pressure to get all the way into the deep muscles. According to the book, six to 12 strokes constitutes a treatment, that should be repeated several times a day. It's working really well for me.

I was in a massage tool store the other day and they didn't have a Stick, so I got this other thing that's got spiky balls instead of the flat rollers. Boy, was that a mistake, it's leaving bruises all over my vastus lateralis, and I'm not even rolling very hard at all. :eek:

Eclectic (and Urlea), I had to smile about that "40 below keeps the riffraff out." I remember that saying. I don't live in ND any more... draw your own conclusions. :cool:

I did a ladder interval run today - Wednesday's normally a biking day for me, but we're at the in-laws. I should do that workout more often - it really feels "good for me" to vary the length of the intervals and recoveries. I found a yoga studio down here but not sure if I'll make it there in the morning. Anyway great running all y'all! :D

[solobiker]

Hi there Oak, I will be in Stuart which is South of West Palm Beach. I hope the weather will be nice and warm. As much as I love Colorado and all it has to offer I am ready for some spring weather.

[Deborajen]

I'll be saying prayers for everyone who's job is suffering from the economy. My hometown is mostly aircraft companies and they're all laying off and furloughing. It's scary. I'm in healthcare so my job is fairly safe, thankfully.

Well, I got in a 2 mile run/walk yesterday. It was 74 degrees (in February - in Kansas??). Had to take advantage of it while I could, so I took a folded up tote bag with me and stopped by the grocery store at the end, bought a small load of groceries, and then walked 1/2 mile home. Then I took the dog for a quick walk. Everyone's happy. ;)

Hang in there everyone. And have a good week of running.

[OakLeaf]

Okay Solo, you won't be very near me then. But it looks like they're forecasting beautiful weather! Enjoy your stay and hope you get to run on the beach!

[solobiker]

Thanks!! I have not been down there in about 7 years. My parents are snow birds. They spend their summers in NW NY and their winters in FL.

[kelownagirl]

Jes, in the meantime until you get a Stick, I've been doing a trick I learned from the trigger point book (http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1572243759/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235010390&sr=8-1). You can get into your calf muscles pretty deeply with the opposite knee. Either sitting in a chair or reclining on the floor, draw the leg you're working on along the opposite knee, working from the ankle toward the knee. You can go side to side a bit whenever you hit a trigger point. The weight of your leg creates enough pressure to get all the way into the deep muscles. According to the book, six to 12 strokes constitutes a treatment, that should be repeated several times a day. It's working really well for me.



That sounds like it might be good for my shin splints. Gonna try it. Thanks!

[yellow]

Aw, y'all are very sweet thinking that the weather might have contributed to my time lag but I don't think that was it. :p I was most definitely undertrained. But I learned from it and will make sure it doesn't happen for the next one. (But if winter stays around, I could have a little problem with choosing the running shoes over the skis).

Had a lovely easy run on snow-covered trail today. Now THAT'S my kind of running. Cold. Pretty sunset. I am going to miss winter when it goes away. :(

[eclectic]

Yellow - I am glad someone is going to miss winter when it is gone - no one around here is going to. We have all the snow and no mountains to go w/ it :mad:

Oak - that trigger point book looks really good! for more things than just running. I use trigger points to get rid of tension headaches.
Where in ND did you used to live?
I am going to research ladder intervals - I think I would like those too.

Urlea - I drove past an out door runner last night (either a friend of mine or a coworker - couldn't tell because of the face mask and they are built the same) He was running on the street - I don't know how he did it. It was compacted snow broken up over ice. I could see his feet slipping. Definately NOT for me! I am too old to have bones heal quickly and properly

I DID it I got my 6 mile run done. Using the rolling pin on my calves did the trick - I was able to run faster for longer. I ran on the tread mill for 3 miles then needed a bathroom break - switched to a better treadmill when it opened up and did 2.5 on it and needed another br break. :rolleyes: I finished the last .5 on the track. I did the 6 miles 7 minutes faster than last week. I was able to hold a 12 min mile for 5 miles. I weenied out a little on the last mile but still did it in about 12.5. The first 4 wern't bad at all, #5 was a little tougher, I had to dig inside to get 6 done - that is why I switched to the track - better scenery

Not fast by any means but faster than I was doing. Maybe there is hope for me after all. All I am aspiring to is a 10 min mile - I would be very happy w/ that but I have a long ways to go!

I got up and swam this morning - because it was less than 10 hours since I ran, I weenied out and wore zoomer fins to baby my legs. but it was all good - I still got in and "got 'er done!"

[Urlea]

Wow, active thread this week. Great job ladies!!

I am one of those that will miss winter once it is gone too. Although I am looking forward to being able to ride again. My bicycle is lonely. The outdoor pool is also a lot nicer. Perhaps if I lived in New Zealand I could have the best of all seasons at once? :D

Did my usual 5mile loop with the Thursday running group this morning. It was back to sub zero temps which meant packing on the layers again. Thankfully the wind was minimal. The only thing that got a little chilled was my face & that's because I was trying hard to keep up with the ladies in front of me and I feel my face warmer puts my oxygen intake at a disadvantage so I ended up wearing it around my neck not actually on my face.

I may have dipped below a 10min/mi which for me is pretty good! :) I can't be 100% sure of my time because there was a news crew there taping us for a segment this morning & we started a little late. My watch also freezes when it is this cold. So, I estimated high and that put me at 10 flat.

Eclectic As to the outdoor runner you saw last night, I can relate. You learn to shorten your gate when running on icy surfaces so that if one foot slips the next one is quickly planted to keep you upright. I've still had a few near wipes. It definitely sounds icier in your part of the state though.

Btw, you are doing an inspiring job with your training!


You ladies have me curious about the rolling pin idea. It sounds like it would work well. So far any soreness is dealt with by soaking in a tub with epsom salts & then using a massage ball (it's like the roller ball on a ball point pen, but much larger and without the pen part. :p ) that usually works, but having something that covers more surface area might be nice.

Sorry to those of whom are struggling with work & the economy. Hopefully running can be a good release of the stress for you as well. 5,000 people got laid off at my husband's work-place a few weeks ago & we are still unsure if that will come our way. It has definitely made me rethink my list of races. I will have to cut several out to save the cost of entry fees & travel. My Sweetie decided to spoil me with race registrations for my Valentine's Day gifts, how cool is that?

[Jolt]

A grand total of 10 minutes on the dreadmill at the gym today, after finishing my lifeguarding shift. I stopped early because I was having a few twinges in that outer left knee area and the dreadmill is torture anyway, and besides I knew I would be swimming tonight and getting a workout anyway. I think it's just the vastus lateralis this time--it didn't feel quite like my ITB pain and didn't hurt at all going down the stairs afterward (good sign). Time to get rollling and stretching again...I'll bet the reason it started to misbehave is because I slacked off on that for a few days and didn't move around much (I was sick at the beginning of the week).

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi All,
I just did a 30 min recovery run, and tried to take it easy. Sometimes I swear it hurts more to go slowly. Go figure.

Anyhoo, my legs were tired from this week's training, but DH went with me and I just focused on quick turnover and good posture.

Got my leg exercises done when I got home, stretched and I am now icing.

Off tomorrow..and I feel like I need it.

[Wahine]

Sometimes it is more difficult to go slowly. It depends on how your form changes when you slow down. It might be beter on your easy days to run at a comfortable pace but walk 1 minute for every 9 running, or even walk 1 min for every 5 min running.

I haven't run this week. Too busy and I've been skate skiing. Must. Get. Back. To. Running.

[rocknrollgirl]

Sometimes it is more difficult to go slowly. It depends on how your form changes when you slow down. It might be beter on your easy days to run at a comfortable pace but walk 1 minute for every 9 running, or even walk 1 min for every 5 min running.

I haven't run this week. Too busy and I've been skate skiing. Must. Get. Back. To. Running.


I feel like I plod when I try to go slowly. Running feels best to me with a very light step and quick turn over. I guess I could try to do a quick turnover more slowly?:eek:

But it would probably make more sense to do a walk/run combo. I did that last week on my "long run" because I just added a third day in a few weeks ago and I am trying not to over do....if you can believe that!

[OakLeaf]

Y'know, I've been really aware of how Chi Running has helped my knees, and combining it with some of the things I'm learning in Yoga is definitely helping me improve my form in many ways, and I'm pretty sure it's helping me get faster.

But I hadn't thought about how the one-legged drills and such actually let me run more slowly when I want to. :p A couple of years ago I doubt if I would've been able to maintain the 10:40-11 minute pace I use for my long runs, now, without completely battering my hips, spine and shoulders.

[eclectic]

Urlea - does DH work in this state or the state next door? I haven't heard of any massive layoffs in our state but I haven't been reading the news regularily so could have missed it.

I didn't think our state was having any big layoffs considering our economy - but I suppose, if it is a company dependent on outside interests. Also I think for the first time the western half of the state is in better shape than the east just because of the oil activity, but that could all change if the price of oil drops anymore.
Also the city you live in never seems to be a part of our state anyway but closer to the neighboring state.

Back to running
your DH is a sweetheart to do that for you for Valentine's day :D

[OakLeaf]

I got in what I could this morning, which wasn't much on the running front.

Run to the gym (1.4 mile, mostly just warming up)
Pilates class
Tempo run home (very brief re-warm up then 1.1 mile @ 8:19)
Yoga class
Massage :D:D:D (which is why I couldn't just run this afternoon)

Ahhhhhhhhhh


Now, just laundry since I just realized I don't have a pair of clean cycling shorts for tomorrow... they'll have to dry indoors overnight. :o
I can't miss another ride because every time I miss a day, CrazyCanuck passes me in mileage on BikeJournal. Darn it! :p


PS Eclectic, I was in Solen, ND in Sioux County for my first two years of high school. I take it you're in the western part of the state?

[Crankin]

Well, it's been a no run week for me, after I just got started. My snow shoe last Sunday wiped me out, after 2 consecutive days of running. Then, I had a blister from the snow shoeing, too. That is almost gone, thanks to swift treatment.
My fibro symptoms are flaring up, and really annoying things, too. It's so discouraging, Eclectic, I don't know how you do it. I did go to spin twice this week, rode my trainer once, along with 2 yoga classes. So today, after waking up with a pretty bad case of "going," I decided to at least walk outside, because I wanted to use my new el cheapo Garmin. I just came back from my neighborhood loop, walking a 14.3 pace. Since that includes some significant hills, I am happy. I may run at the gym tomorrow, since it is going to be rainy/snowy.
Well, I refuse to give in, although my doctor keeps telling me to slow down...
Won't happen.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, oakleaf, you are amazing! The massage sounds wonderful after all that.

Today I did a short trail hike (3 miles or so) with DH and pup in the morning, then Rodney Yee's "Yoga for Athletes" tape this afternoon. My knees are still feeling a little cranky, so no running since Monday. I'll try again this coming Monday.

[Urlea]

Crankin Sorry to hear the Fibro is flaring along with recovering from other ailments. Looks like you are still doing well on the exercise front despite it. Good for you! :D Your determination is an encouragement!

OakThat's a pretty packed morning! I am very jealous of the massage, but you earned it!

Syndirelah How fun to run with friends again! Not a bad way to cover those 8miles. :D

My 9miler today was solo. The new snow really helps with the icy patches, gives me a little traction. I don't know what it is about fresh snow that makes everything seem more still and serene, but it was beautiful. Saw two other runners along my route. That's always good to see, especially in winter.

Other then the full feeling from eating & drinking to much for lunch before my run, it was a really decent run. It's been several months since I've run that far, felt good.

I'm off to eat dinner. Been the hungry little caterpillar all week!

[eclectic]

Crankin' I don't know how YOU do it ? ?:confused: that is a lot of activity for one week - I don't work that hard. :roll: So how do I do it? Swimming doesn't hurt or put stress on my body so that one is easy. I only spin 1 day per week and that doesn't put stress on either so quick recovery.

In the running department - I have decided it isn't worth it to push myself too hard and not give my body adequate recovery time so I am sticking w/ the program I printed off runner's world and modifying it to suit my age and fitness level. I am doing my long run on Tu, recovery run Th, tempo/speed on Sat, so I get a long recovery by Tu. And I decided Aleve is not a bad thing.

I don't like pain or discomfort so I am not one who pushes too hard. The best thing I do for my Fibro is sleep. . . . lots. go to bed early and get 9 or 10 hours at least 1 night a week, usually on a weekend - if I do that I feel much better the rest of the time. (tonight is long sleep night)

I need you to encourage me to work harder! :D

Urlea Great job on the long outdoor run! It warmed up nicely this afternoon to about +17 but the streets are still too bad to get any distance in

Oakleaf You were out in the frontier in Solen! I am in the north central part of the state - Minot. We are just about dead center but consider ourselves part of the west not the east.
Great job on the workout today - running to pilates and home again - you rock!

Syndirelah your run sounds fun. you rock too if you can run 8 miles and catch up w/ old friends ! I would be gasping for air :p

I did get out to the Y today and make an attempt at my first tempo run. I put in 5 mixed up miles.

Runners world plan was 1 mi warmup, 3mile tempo @ 11:14 pace, 1 mile cooldown.

Reality .5 mile walk, .5 mi slow run warmup on track. Moved to TM
1.3 mile @ 11:19 pace my HR was getting too high so I walked .25 @ 15:00
Ran again @ 11:19 pace for .5 mi and had to walk again @ 15:00 for .25 I decided to slow down to 11:30 pace and then was able to hold it steady for 1.5 mi - I then walked out the .25 to bring my HR down. So with all the running and walking I got 5 miles done in about 62 min which I am good to go w/ for the first time.

I did all my leg stretches then took the smallest medicine ball, crossed my legs and rolled the ball under my calves- They feel much better than they ever have after running! :)

Next time I am going to slow the tempo down to the 11:30 so I can hold it for the entire distance. I think I can do that.

Next scheduled run is Tuesday - 7 miles - If I run it all it will be the furthest I have ever run in my life!

[Aggie_Ama]

Tonight was an 8 mile easy pace run- my first run for the week. That wasn't intended but Monday we had rain, Tuesday my birthday, Tuesday night I got a migraine that meant Wednesday I was EXHAUSTED, Thursday I still felt like someone beat me. But tonight there was no backing out of the long run.

DH had a race this morning I tagged along for so I had to go after dark so the sweetie brought his cyclocross bike and rode the walking trail to keep me company. The trail is .8 miles of crushed granite, so that meant 10 laps. Having him along helped keep my morale up (and keep count :)) and I made the 8 miles, he got some of the fatigue out of his legs. It was a breezy 45 degrees tonight, way too cold for this Texan! It took 1.5 hours, I don't ever remember plodding along that long.

crankin-Don't beat yourself up. From the little I know of fibro I can't imagine anything being worse than running. It isn't like you are voluntarily popping BonBons and staying in.

eclectic-My half is emailing me a training schedule but even with a little of a running background I am finding it really hard on my body and mind! I am trying to definitely stick to the long runs and modify if needed during the week? This week I just cracked but picked myself back up for today.

On the tempo/slow discussion.... TOnight I was able to talk to DH (about bike cassettes-lol) so maybe I finally accomplished a slow run. My HR monitor said avg of 179 which seems high but my coaching manual says on easy days you should be able to talk so I guess mission accomplished.

[alpinerabbit]

I was out and about for 1:20 today. Towards the end I actually got pudding legs so I know I went as far as I can right now. Ended up 12 km - a whopping 6:30min/km... (hey... it could be worse.)

Still have to do my maintenance (cf. healing thread).


On the tempo/slow discussion.... TOnight I was able to talk to DH (about bike cassettes-lol) so maybe I finally accomplished a slow run. My HR monitor said avg of 179 which seems high but my coaching manual says on easy days you should be able to talk so I guess mission accomplished.
Are you sure that's right? Is your monitor working right? Don't want to disappoint or worry you, but hat would be about 5K race pace for me and I could not hold that for very long. Mind you I was probably around 150, not the 135 I should have on a long run.

[eclectic]

Aggie_Ama Very good job on the tempo run! That was very nice of DH to ride w/you. And if it makes you feel any better it would have taken me longer than 1.5 hours!

What did you mean by "my half mailing me a training schedule" Who is My half?

AND great job of picking yourself back up after "cracking" . That says alot right there!

[Crankin]

Eclectic, I don't mind a lot of pain, after all the years of stuff i have been doing. But this recent flare up involves somewhat unusual symptoms, don't really want to go into them here, but a lot of shooting weird pains in my legs and my chest. I've had this before, so I waste a lot of energy worrying it's the "disease du jour." One thing I notice is that it's hard to tell if I am really sick with a viral infection and that makes the fibro kick in, or vice versa. Sleep isn't an issue for me, at least now. The only time it was, was when I didn't know what was wrong with me and I was a wreck. But, I couldn't sleep 9-10 hours if I tried. I feel good with 7 and 8 makes me feel like I've had too much. I woke up at 5 AM for 30 years, and am enjoying not having to now.
Anyway, I went out this morning because the rain/snow is slower than predicted to arrive. My stomach is still a little "off," so I wasn't sure if I would walk or run. Then my husband decided to come with me. He hates running, so I told him, tough, he could do what he wanted. Anyway, I did 3 miles, running 2 of them. My average pace on the run part was 10:30, which surprised me. Overall, it was 13.13. I just wish I lived in a flatter place to get more flat miles as a base. I have a new route I am going try next time, maybe Tuesday.
Going to go order Chi Running. And I definitely need thinner wool socks to run in, when it's still cold out. My cycling socks are thin, but the spot near my bunion sort of acted up again, because it was too cold to wear the ones I have that are good for running.

[yellow]

y'all are making me tired just reading about outings!

I managed to run 3 times this week, which put me a little short of my time/mileage goal. Oh well. I think the 2 days of XC skiing can partially make up for it (although not completely given how the bottoms of my feet felt last weekend when running on the dirt)! My on-again-off-again tennis elbow is wicked right now, so I will probably lay off the skiing during the week this week so I can ski my heart out next weekend when we go to Bryce.

[Aggie_Ama]

Are you sure that's right? Is your monitor working right? Don't want to disappoint or worry you, but hat would be about 5K race pace for me and I could not hold that for very long. Mind you I was probably around 150, not the 135 I should have on a long run.

Well I think it is right, as far as I can tell from setting up the HR monitor. I asked DH because he thought I was sustaining high but he thought they measured beats and I am wearing it in the proper place. It is a Polar F6 which got pretty good reviews both here and other places. I actually think the real problem is I am not as in shape as I thought. My HR is high because it is taking a lot more effort for me to jog? I can sustain for a long time in 170-180 but cannot run much faster than this pace which isn't very fast, at least compared to my former days of running 11.25 minute miles is a very slow pace. When I ran often I did a 5k in sub-25 minutes, now the lowest I have gotten is about 33 minutes. My blood pressure and all that other nonsense is alright. I am a little overweight but nothing too overweight, about 20 lbs.



What did you mean by "my half mailing me a training schedule" Who is My half?

AND great job of picking yourself back up after "cracking" . That says alot right there!

The half marathon I am targeting sends you a training plan because they have a coach. You can also email the coach with questions/concerns and she sends tips in addition to your schedule. Honestly I think she sponsors it and maybe it is a way to get some business later? I was going to use the Runner's World you are using until I saw that. So that is the email I was referring to.

It was hard to get back in the game and you know kind of hard to admit I cracked but I knew you would all understand. I threw my hands up in a victory salute when I finished last night.:p

[Susan Otcenas]

This morning was the first of a ten week series of swim lessons I've signed up for. They are sponsored by the swin center that is the host of a triathlon I have planned in May. We swam a fair bit in the lesson (as opposed to just working on skills), as we were setting baselines for our progress over the coming 10 weeks.

After the swim, I dutifully tied on my run shoes and went out for today's scheduled run, which was: Run 25 min, walk 1, run 25. I was running a new route, so I've no idea how far I went. I'm pretty slow, so probably a little less than 5 miles.

I was fairly whipped when I was done. Today was my first day doing training for more than one sport. I'd best get used to it though, as I need to start working in another bike workout mid-week and I'd really like to start weight training 1-2 days a week. Sheesh, I'm pooped just thinking about it.

Susan

[Urlea]

Susan: Congratulations on your first brick! :D

I agree with you it is tiring, I am just starting to combine training sessions again and it's tough.

I know from last year's experience that it does get easier though. So stick with it, we'll be glad we did come race day! :)

What distance Tri are you tackling in May?

Yellow Glad you are enjoying the XC skiing so much this season! Sometimes I wish I had the gear to do some myself, but I have troubles keeping the sports I love balanced as is. It would be difficult to choose to run instead of ski when you know the winter only lasts so long. :rolleyes:

I've been eying a bunch of HIM training plans this weekend. Definitely need to up what I had in mind for the bike. Right now the hardest part is training for a marathon & a HIM at the same time. My marathon is only a month prior to the HIM. :p I think I have a solution though, will try it this week and see what I think.

Have any of you encountered the same problem/have advice?

[eclectic]

Crankin you are a way faster runner than i am! good job on gettin' 'er done! I hear you on "am I sick or is it the FMS" I have a couple of people I work w/ who have it too. We do a ck/i w/ each other if we are hurting. "Is it the weather or am I getting sick" Pressure system changes are the worst.
I haven't heard about the symptoms you were describing please PM me the details

Urlea other than the time to work in the bike and swim training wouldn't the run training be similar? eagerly awaiting to hear your solution

Yellow I have been running instead of skiing :( And skiing should count it is a great aerobic workout just no impact.

Aggie_Ama My HR is way up there too. I finally attached it to the perceived rate of exertion so I am not as concerned about the numbers. Today at spin class my HR was about 147 and I was able to sing along w/ the music. At 157 I can carry on a conversation.
When running and it gets to 162 I can still talk in short sentances. It isn't until I get into the 170's that it becomes difficult for me to talk.

I can go a long way too w/ my HR at 167. I am trying to be patient w/ myself and get a good base laid. I have never been a runner. I am just trying now to get the distance and the strength. I was just saying I am anxious to see at this time next year where my running will be.

All I did in the run department was a 1/2 mile brick after spin class. I figured I had better get on those.

Susan great job on doing the double! I was planning on taking Tuesday swim off because I am supposed to get a 7 mi run in Tu night. But that is the day a friend from out of town always swims w/ us - so i guess i will be doing a double too. I think I will wear fins and not kick too hard!