Running out of February week of 2-23 to 3-1 [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

OakLeaf

02-23-2009, 12:18 PM

First time in double digits! w00t! I'm getting such a feeling of elation on my long runs, each time I pass a new milestone.

Another windy day. Once again my out lap was 14 minutes longer than the return leg. Mostly the wind, but I also felt like finishing strong.

Aggie, when my mind wandered from my own body/meditative state I started thinking about other people's bodies :rolleyes: and specifically your HR on your long runs... you mentioned having your DH along for company and "being able to talk." You weren't actually conversing with him the whole time, were you? That would definitely rob you of oxygen and send your HR soaring. FWIW, on my long runs I inhale to a count of three steps and exhale the same and my AHR today was 157.

Aggie_Ama

02-23-2009, 12:35 PM

Only on lap 8 when I was starting to lose my mind. If you look I had to run 10 mind numbingly boring laps to get to 8 miles. It was dark. Just the path lamps, his bike light, the feral cats, white tail deer and my steps. The MP3 batteries went out on lap 4. About 8 I was just trying to keep going, I was tired and bored so I started talking to him but no not the whole time and not even the whole .8 mile lap. At several points I lost count of laps! I gave myself incentives like "you can stop at the water fountain on lap 3, 6, 9" but then I couldn't remember if it was one of those laps!

But FWIW on a normal run I hover around 170-175. It was very cold Saturday evening and when it is chilly I find my HR is a little elevated. I am really hoping as I get myself back into shape my HR will come down because the runs really wear me out. When I ran all the time a few years back they energized me but now I just want to come home and hit the couch.

Aggie_Ama

02-23-2009, 12:35 PM

Awful 25-minute run in the neighborhood this morning. Ice everywhere!!

How did you stay upright? Great job!!

Grog

02-23-2009, 01:03 PM

Had a nice short run today, the first since my half-marathon a week ago.

It felt great, and it was so beautiful outside.

But now my knees are acting funny, especially when I stand up from a seated position. Dear Partner (a doctor with kin. training) will have a look tonight. :(

emily_in_nc

02-23-2009, 05:23 PM

Just did a little 5K on the treadmill today -- re-building fitness. The good news is that my knee felt fine. :) Good job, all!

Jolt

02-23-2009, 05:36 PM

How did you stay upright? Great job!!

Well, there was some walking on the worst parts. And I did take one minor spill...

kelownagirl

02-23-2009, 05:48 PM

I managed to cautiously run 3 times this last week without too much pain. Hopefully my shin splints are behind me once again. I can't wait until I run as easily as you guys. You are my heros. Heroines?

Veronica

02-23-2009, 05:49 PM

I did 1.5 miles on the treadmill before meeting with my trainer. Today was a ladder day. She spreads out this long ladder on the floor in the basketball court and then I have to make my way down it in various ways and sprint back to the start.

It's been really good for my agility.

Veronica

Aggie_Ama

02-23-2009, 07:42 PM

I drug myself to the path for the intervals on the schedule. All 40 minutes of them. My legs are still angry (sore) but I am glad I went because it ran some of the stress of my Mammaw being ill out. My HR was a little more normal tonight although still a lot higher than you guys. My feet are really hurting, but more at the bone level. I wonder if I am tying my shoes too tight?

Good job everyone who got out there, we are waking up from our slumber of winter!

Aggie_Ama

02-24-2009, 05:15 AM

eclectic

02-24-2009, 05:49 AM

I did a little searching on the web about the high HR and most things I read suggest it is because of my fitness level. I really just got back into running so despite the miles I am doing, I consider myself out of shape. I have not been doing a lot of consistent riding the past year either. From what I read it should come down over time, so now I can rest easier. The sites all seemed to recommend tracking your HR monitor stats, so I will start doing that. Not that I have quite figured out all I will do with the information.

Aggie_Ama
I keep waiting for the time when it will come down. What is happening to me is I am running longer or faster so it always ends up staying up there.

It is interesting how different activities affect it.
I have had to switch to doing some butterfly in the pool to get it way up - when I do freestyle my muscles and breathing give out before my HR
and in spin class I have to work harder to get it up whereas before on a standing climb it would skyrocket.

Running . . . . . now that is a different story . . . it is up in a heartbeat :D

Urlea

02-24-2009, 10:11 AM

Ran 3.25 today as per my training program requirements for the full. I realized as I was getting ready to go run that I couldn't remember the last time I had run under 5miles outside. It was difficult to think up a route that was that distance, but I managed. Went .25 over my allotted, but that's okay.

Overall pretty good run. I ran without headphones. I've been spoiling myself with ipod use this winter as a means to distract me from the cold, but since it was a balmy 20 above I left it at home today. The birds were chirping again, it was nice. :)

On to my odd question of the day, why should small busted women wear sports bras?

After my long run on Saturday I woke up Sunday morning with pain right where my sport-bra strap hits on my left shoulder. I've been debating if it may have been how I slept, but the top of my shoulder felt okay before I ran today and now it's a little tight. I did wear a looser fitting bra today though. :rolleyes:

I didn't swim over the weekend and yesterday I felt fine when I did so I have a hard time believing it's from that. *shrug* I don't know what to think!

Karma007

02-24-2009, 10:25 AM

I've recently re-introduced running to my training after a stress fracture in my heel 3 years ago. I guess you could call me a returnee. I've done some running on the treadmill, and recently adding spurts of it to my morning walk with Karma, my Whippet.
She injusred her leg on Friday (she's fine now) so we kept it at a walk this morning, but will begin running again tomorow!

yellow

02-24-2009, 07:07 PM

Ran 3.25 today as per my training program requirements for the full. I realized as I was getting ready to go run that I couldn't remember the last time I had run under 5miles outside. It was difficult to think up a route that was that distance, but I managed. Went .25 over my allotted, but that's okay.

I had a similar experience yesterday, 'cept my schedule called for 2 miles. 2 miles? I can't remember the last time I ran only 2 miles. So I did 3.4. and then today was supposed to be 5 and I did 6.25. :rolleyes: I am taking tomorrow off even though it's a run day; I have a book club meeting (note that the "book club" that I belong to does not read...we just drink beer and chat).

On to my odd question of the day, why should small busted women wear sports bras?
Bras are totally overrated for us less endowed women. I usually just wear a camisole to prevent rub (I like the active camis from Patagucci (http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&style_color=32216-011&ws=true&patcatcode=WEB_SPECIALS&searchkeyrefferer=shop.jsp&encodedsearchkey=OPTION%3DESHOP%26S%3DSALE%26psDrilldown%3Dtrue%26PC%3DSPECIAL%26N%3D4294967289%2B30016611%2B30017380%26psPageNumber%3Dall)). Works fine. Currently my pecs stick out almost as far as my b00bs. Pathetic. The older I get, the more they disappear.

Susan Otcenas

02-24-2009, 08:19 PM

Someone please knock me upside the head.

I just committed to a half-marathon to celebrate my 40th in October. :eek:

Urlea

02-24-2009, 08:42 PM

***KNOCKS Susan Upside the head!*** but only for not doing so sooner! :D

Train smart and you'll do great. Best of luck, I look forward to hearing about your training runs!

kacie tri-ing

02-25-2009, 04:26 AM

Susan! Awesome!! Enjoy the training!

I did 7 miles last night (and a swim on monday). When I got home from my run, I just kept thinking, "I love running." That must be because nothing hurts at this exact moment!

I don't get to run again until sunday (plenty of swimming and cycling between now and then), but I am going to the trails sunday, and I am already looking forward to it!

I don't know about machine :-) As the volume has increased, my coach took my third run of the week out, and increased the lenth of my other two, so I have Friday off. I have found that I am more tired, so I am going to bed eariler to make up for the additional training:)

I am pretty intimidated by the next four weeks of my training. The buildup is a little bit insane, but I think I can do it...I hope....I might need to take a day off just to get some extra sleep :-)

Enjoy your runs!

Aggie_Ama

02-25-2009, 05:19 AM

Did my 30 minute easy run last night. My foot is still hurting dagnabit. I think maybe I need some arch supports, I dunno? Everything else feels great but that right foot is painful and from what I can tell it isn't a normal running injury pain (at least from the web resources I checked). My HR was at 170 which according the Polar "Own Zone" is at the top but not out of my hard zone. So that was my goal. I wanted to stay under 170.

Eclectic- I can't swim, if I did laps I would probably be in the 190's! Good cross training though, this weekend after my 10 miler I am going kayaking. I can't wait! :)

Urlea- I keep having the same problem. My training schedule calls for time and I go to a local walking path. I keep stopping mid-lap at time which is annoying because I am in the back of the park and I do a super duper long cool down which gets me impatient!

Tofu- Welcome back! I am just coming back and I feel like a total newbie. It is frustrating. Stay injury free.

Yellow- My husband's boss has a "prayer group meeting" that is really a beer bust! :eek:

Susan- Congratulations! I would be lying if I said I am not ready to be done with the 1/2 training so I can get back to riding. And I still have this crazy idea about doing a full for my 30th birthday in 2010. :confused:

Syndi- I made DH ride his bike along so I could ask what lap I was on!Normally I wouldn't do an 8 mile run where I had to do 10 laps it is a recipe for insanity. I think Eclectic said she bought a lap counter?

Kacie- Your enthusiam is both sickening and inspiring. Keep it up you are doing great!

eclectic

02-25-2009, 06:00 AM

Ditto on everything Aggie_ama and Syndirelah said

Susan - YOU GO GIRL ! !
Is this your first one?

Yellow - I am going to look up that cami - I just find any sports bra too hot and annoying to wear in the summer. I did however find some inexpensive ones made by danskin - they are actually comfortable and not too warm - I wear them anytime I can get away w/ it (neckline makes the difference)

Lap counting I did buy an inexpensive lap counter - works great if you have the presence of mind to click it. Another trick I use is to take a set number of rubber bands on my fingers. I transfer them from one hand to another every lap so if 8 laps make a mile I will take 4 bands. Hopefully the miles aren't to hard too track - your time should be able to tell you that. and anyway I don't do enough to get confused :p

Now for MY NEWS I did it ! ! ! ! happy dance, happy dance whoo hoo. :D :D :D
I did the longest run of my life last night. It was on the treadmill but in my world that counts. I did the full 7 miles and didn't do any walking (except for about 3 steps when the treadmill unexpectedly quit at 60 min.)

I decided going into it I was only going to run a 12:30 mile. I have learned it really is a mind game. Starting out I thought "I will run 2.3 on the treadmill, 2.3 on the track and then 2.3 back on the treadmill - I can easily run 2.3 miles." When 2.3 came I thought "I am doing fine I will do 3" and that is how it went - I took it by songs, 12:30 minutes, daydreaming etc etc etc

I was able to carry on a conversation w/ decent sentences at varying times in the run. My HR average was 157 which is good for me. AND I was able to bump up the last .5 mile to an 11:30 mile. I wasn't exhausted when I was done - I felt like I could have kept going.

This was a huge break through for me - The 1/2 mary actually feels like something w/i my reach now.

I still can't say I like to run but I can say I don't dread it as much

Aggie_Ama

02-25-2009, 06:04 AM

This was a huge break through for me - The 1/2 mary actually feels like something w/i my reach now.

I still can't say I like to run but I can say I don't dread it as much

Congrats! You know my first 7 miler is what made me think "I can do this". It is the mental hurdle first for me, then the physical and not the other way around. When I used to run I used to look forward to getting home, putting on my shoes and going but not yet. I am hoping I will get there soon.

OakLeaf

02-25-2009, 07:12 AM

Susan, yee-ha! Think of how much time you've left yourself to train for the full marathon you'll do to celebrate 50! :D :D :D (I, on the other hand... :rolleyes:)

Urlea, wear whatever makes you comfortable. Personally I'm small busted but very floppy (even when I was younger) and need a ton of support. If I ran bra-less the bounce would probably wrench my shoulders out of their sockets. :o Last year someone posted a video some bra company had made about bounce - their findings were that breast size really doesn't correlate with bounce. But yeah... cami, nip-its (or whatever they're called), band-aids, whatever makes you happy! I wish I could go "free!"

limewave

02-25-2009, 07:38 AM

1 1/2 hours of snowshoeing last night. I know its not running . . . I'm not running for the rest of the pregnancy.

I'm hoping to get out to do 2 more long walks this week. I really miss running and can't wait to get back at it. We're already looking at the car-seat attachment for the jogger.

Aggie_Ama

02-25-2009, 07:38 AM

Thank god, I realized I don't turn 30 until 2011 and that is when I am looking at a full. The day is already getting better. :p

lime A few years ago I did a fun run with a woman who was 7 months along. Seriously?! Who can or wants to run then? She naturally looked like she had a basketball under her shirt and not big old fat ankles. I hate those types, if I ever have kids I know I won't be one so I hate them. :)

Grog

02-25-2009, 09:37 AM

't'was about time, Susan!

Enjoy the process!

eclectic

02-25-2009, 11:53 AM

Crankin

02-25-2009, 12:10 PM

Me too, on the snow shoeing.
I took 2 days off of everything to deal with my weird medical stuff. This morning, I should have been studying, but I felt better, so I went to the gym. I ran 2.5 miles, in 24.5 minutes, so that was mostly at 5.5-6.2 mph. I took 2 two minute walks after 10 minutes of running. My legs felt a bit heavy, but I noticed my HR was a bit lower (159 instead of 167). I really need to work on running more distance and forget about the speed, but after my run outside, I realized that I think I run faster outside.
I think I might actually be able to ride outside tomorrow, so no run until Friday.
My head was very clear when I went on my internship interview this afternoon. I have 2 semi offers, so I have to decide tonight. OK, I have to go read.

solobiker

02-25-2009, 02:35 PM

Got home from my trip/vacation in Florida last night. I was able to get in 2 3 mile runs while I was there. Gosh, how do you ladies handle running in all that humidity?? I can only imagine how bad it is in the summer. Those of you that deal with,I give you my highest respect. When I run here in CO the humidity is in the single digits to low teens. Give me my altitued over the humidity any day. Overall the runs were great. I was able to wear shorts vs tights which was awesome. Hey Oak...I did go for a short run on one of the beaches. Very nice and beautiful My goal is to do 4-5 miles later this week. I will have to see how my calf feels. Congrats to everyone on there great runs.

Jolt

02-25-2009, 05:28 PM

Well, it was nice out today so I decided to go and run on some local trails this morning. However, I got there and found most of the trail to be a sheet of ice. Ugh. Needless to say, I didn't get a good run in there. Then this afternoon I went to visit a friend in Lynn (on the North Shore) and was still in my running gear since I hadn't had time to change, and realized I could stop for a run on the beach before going home. So I got in a little over 20 minutes of running on Revere Beach, actually my first beach run. It was nice. Not quite as good as a trail run, but pretty darn good!

Aggie_Ama

02-25-2009, 06:00 PM

Went for my 50 minute run tonight, which was awful! We are in a February heat wave and it was 84 today. The only win was the sprinklers were on and that cooled me down. My HR is coming down for average, so that is a good sign! Still can't figure out my foot issue, maybe I need to tie my shoe tight tomorrow. DH is getting concerned I might injure it but I think it isn't that serious, I am jsut whining a bit.

crankin- Congrats, hopefully. Glad the run cleared your head.

Solo- The humidity is awful but I get altitude sickness so I wouldn't trade my humidity for that. I guess if I lived there I would adjust.

Jolt- You don't have the power to float over ice? :p

Jolt

02-25-2009, 06:17 PM

Jolt- You don't have the power to float over ice? :p

Unfortunately not! Such a bummer...

OakLeaf

02-25-2009, 06:27 PM

Ha Solo, last week was really dry here! :p It only takes a couple of weeks to adjust. But you can't imagine the summer. I'm from Ohio and I had no idea of humidity until the one summer we spent here. It p*sses me off to have to run the AC when it's 75 degrees out, but you have to or everything in the house will turn to mold, literally overnight.

Crankin, glad you're starting to feel better and that you've got a choice of prospects.

Aggie, yeah, until I bit the bullet and started running the very hard country roads in Ohio, I'd do laps around a 1 mile fitness trail. I still go there to do intervals since it's flat, but any more than 5 laps and it starts to approach treadmill boring. So I feel your pain! Also, I am totally not an expert, but I've read more than one place that three quality runs a week are enough if it's not your only cardio, and it seems to be working for me to run and ride on alternate days. I'm just pretty much maintaining on the bike while I build running mileage right now. Then over the summer I'll maintain the running while I build strength on the bike - that's the plan anyhow.

Way to go eclectic!!! :D:D Definitely for me, adding mileage has been all about form and learning to run more slowly. That's exactly what I said to DH about the half-mary when I ran 7 for the first time just four weeks ago. "I can do that twice!"

Intervals for me tomorrow, but I haven't decided which workout. And then some consolidation for a week or two before I add any more miles.

Aggie_Ama

02-25-2009, 06:42 PM

Tonight I went to a slightly longer trail it is a bit of a drive but if I am running 50 minutes I need it to be a longer time before I pass the car again.

I am definitely scaling back the running to 2-3 days a week after the half marathon. Unless I just suddenly become the runner I was in 2005 but I don't see it happening! Friday I think I may ride my bike home from work though. It is supposed to be a southern wind which means a nice tailwind for the 28 miles home. :)

Veronica

02-26-2009, 03:22 AM

2.85 miles for me yesterday. It was my first run with the new Garmin we got. It was kind of cool to see just how hilly my run is and what my pace is at different points on the run.

Veronica

Aggie_Ama

02-26-2009, 04:32 AM

V- There are some things I only like to know in the pain of my legs- like elevation. Does the Garmin tell you distance though? Now that I am training for the half marathon I really wish I had something to tell me "Yes that was a 10 miler". :rolleyes: I won't be getting anything in the next month but something to keep in the back of my mind if I do talk myself into that full marathon.

Veronica

02-26-2009, 06:16 AM

We got a Forerunner 305 and it does give distance and you can set it up so will show other things while you are running. I really wanted something that would show me my distance and pace.

Thom it uses it on his bike as his HRM and computer. So it's fairly versatile. It's a little bulky on the wrist, but definitely better than carrying my hand held GPS and I like that I can change my route and still get mileage.

Veronica

Urlea

02-26-2009, 07:47 AM

Woohoo!! Another active week for everyone. :D Keep it up!

Despite having a good deal of difficulty pulling myself out of bed at 4:45 to join everyone for my thursday morning group run at 5:30, I made it!

Perhaps being so tired was an asset today, because as I exited the underground parking at my apartment I realized that it was snowing and windy. Kind of blizzardy. At that point it was affirmed that my last minute decision to grab an extra jacket & mittens on my way out the door was a good idea because I would definitely need them. :o

I knew the day would come that I would have to run in crappy winter weather eventually and now I have. Other then not being able to feel my right cheek even with the face warmer on top of it, it really wasn't that bad. I'm guessing the 20mph or so winds put the windchill at about -15 so that accounts for the frozen cheek.

When I returned to the shop those runners that had finished before me still had the same expression I did, which was, "well, that was tough. I'm glad I don't have to do that again today."

Anyway, I'm proud of myself for still going and finishing my 5 miles.

Eclectic Congrats on the 7miles!!! :D I agree that a lot of going longer distances is mental. It does get easier, I still remember needing to be a little distracted from how long I was actually running the first time I covered that distance.

Solo I'm with you on the humidity. Its really hard to run in! But I'm sure it's primarily a matter of what each of us has acclimated to.

Aggie I know the Garmin 305 tells you distance right on the watch. My hubby has one & loves it. I'm eyeing the 405 just because it's so much smaller and would actually fit on my wrist, but until then I'm using http://www.mapmyrun.com . Sometimes I will pre-map a route just so I can know for sure before I leave how far I am going. Other times I check when I get home. Use the satellite or hybrid view though, it helps.

OakLeaf

02-26-2009, 07:55 AM

Wow Urlea, early, dark AND cold. :eek: You're way too ambitious for me! :D

Distance was the reason I started sniffing around pedometers at the shops. Some of those foot-pod based ones are supposed to be pretty accurate. DH took the hint and got me a Garmin 301 for my birthday a couple of years ago, and now I'm a total data geek. :o I especially like to see the downloads from interval workouts like today, the pace and HR curves for each interval and recovery.

I did a ladder interval workout today - 30 seconds to 2:30, up and down the ladder twice. It felt good but now I'm really thrashed!

Veronica

02-26-2009, 10:05 AM

We thought about the 405, even looked at one at a local bike shop. It is smaller and fit me better. BUT.... It had LOTS of negative reviews on Amazon. Stuff about how you couldn't turn the dial when you got sweaty. But maybe you don't sweat. :D It is kinda cold where you're running.

Veronica

Crankin

02-26-2009, 05:02 PM

Aggie, I got the el cheapo Garmin 100 (or 105). It's a bit clunky to wear on the wrist, but the velcro adjusts quite nicely to my small wrist. It shows pace, distance, av.speed, elevation. You can also set it for laps There's also some program on it called "training assistant." Not sure what that does, except you program it to compete against.
It only cost about $100.
My husband has the 405, that he uses cycling and hiking. He uses the GPS on it so we don't get lost, basically, and it has a HRM. But I don't need anything that fancy.

OakLeaf

02-26-2009, 05:28 PM

Crankin, does your husband have the issues Veronica mentioned? I've looked at the 405 but it just looks like a very unwieldy user interface (and an awfully small display for this old lady's eyes). The GPS receiver is so much more sensitive on the newer models that I'd like to upgrade from my 301, but I'm afraid the 305 won't fit on my wrist.

There's also the new Garmin 50 that has no GPS, footpod only. I don't know much about that, but I think the user interface is similar to the 405.

OakLeaf

02-26-2009, 06:08 PM

You know what's wrong with all those foam roller instructional videos?

They are completely devoid of grimaces, sharp intakes of breath and outright shrieks of pain. :cool:

Jolt

02-26-2009, 06:37 PM

You know what's wrong with all those foam roller instructional videos?

They are completely devoid of grimaces, sharp intakes of breath and outright shrieks of pain. :cool:

I had the same thought when I saw the picture on the wrapper of my foam roller. It's a woman rolling out her IT band, and she has this big smile. Believe me, rolling that out is not always the most comfortable thing...I will say that now it doesn't really hurt for me, but it sure did when I first started!!

Aggie_Ama

02-26-2009, 07:11 PM

Did my 30 minute run but extended it to 40 minutes because I didn't want to walk from the back of the trail. Tomorrow is a much appreciated rest day!

I can't fathom those of you running in the cold, it was 89 today. And it was awful, felt like running in a furnace!

Thanks for the tips on the Garmins, I might check some of those out but probably won't get one anytime soon. Maybe the 105 but I spent more than I ever have on a workout watch on my Polar so I can't imagine replacing it so soon.:rolleyes:

Crankin

02-27-2009, 03:46 AM

I am not really up on all of the technical stuff on the Garmin 405, as you know, I am a techno-dunce. The screen is small, for sure. I know he uploads the profile to the PC sometimes and it does work; but all of that stuff is mysterious to me. I haven't heard any loud swearing when he is using it. We mostly use it for the "bread crumb" feature, because even though I claim to have a good sense of direction, when I get in the woods, I am totally lost. So, it gets used for hiking and mountain biking mostly, or long bike rides where we want to know the elevation. Our friend who we ride with has the same model and he uses it on every ride, hike, x country ski. We depend on him for full profiles of all of our escapades.

eclectic

02-27-2009, 01:14 PM

Just read everything quickly

Urlea love the new avatar! You ARE amazing! I can't even fathom getting up at that time and running in the dark on icy horrible roads, w/ wind and snow. I KNOW what your weather is like because we are having it too.

Syndirelah lucky you being able to run on a nice surface

Aggie_ama I live in it but I don't run in it! Urlea is way tougher than I will ever be. hmmmm :rolleyes: I have skied when it was -15 F w/ a wind ( I never checked the wind chill - I didn't want to know :eek:

However, I don't know how all of you do it running in the heat and humidity. In the summer if we run or bike in the early AM it is still very cool (mid to upper 60's) it doesn't usually heat up until about noon.

Yesterday I did my recovery run ON THE TREADMILL thank you very much!
my calves are still very sore - I think I have to go visit my friend the massage therapist and have her work on them.
Once I am stretched and loosened up they are fine so I am sure it isn't any type of injury. I iced them after and that helped a lot.
so now it is stretch, ice and roll.

The run was 2 miles that I took at an easy pace 12:15 - 11:30.
I walked a mile after that started as a cool down but ended up being a "just for fun" walk. I started at a 15 min mile (4.0) then kept bumping the TM up 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 just to see how fast I could maintain the pace just walking. I quit at 4.3 (about a 13:30 min mile) but it will be fun to see if I can bump it up next time.

My dear DBF could WALK a 12 minute mile - I was always running to keep up (and muttering at him how rude he was and to slow down) but you would think I would be in way better running shape!

Tomorrow I am scheduled for 1 mi wu, 3 mi intervals 1 mi cool down

BUT I have a big 40th B'day bash to go to tonight - so far I have every intention of being home early and in good shape!

Jolt

02-27-2009, 01:59 PM

Today was really nice here--mid 50s and sunny. I did a 25-minute run in the neighborhood; most of it consisted of doing laps around a park a little over a quarter mile up the road (because the grass/dirt is a nice surface to run on). It felt great! A little muddy, but that's OK. Now if we could just get rid of the ice on the trails...

Eclectic, for the sore calves, do you have the Stick? That is what I have found works the best on mine if they get knots in them. Hurts, but definitely helps work out the kinks. As for your comments about not knowing how people do it, I don't know how you do your runs on the treadmill!! I would much rather deal with some cold weather, rain etc. than do that.

Susan Otcenas

02-27-2009, 02:11 PM

Susan
Is this your first one?

YES! So, I'll be leaning on all of you for emotional support along the way. :D

Today was my first run with another person. I always run alone. I start at 5:30am and I don't know very many people up for getting out that early in the dark and the cold (29 degrees this morning). Can't imagine why.... :rolleyes: But this morning a girlfriend met me at my house and we went out for an hour. I definitely ran faster with her, even though I didn't intend to - in fact I told her up front I needed to be sure not to let her pace burn me out, but as it turned out it didn't feel too hard. Maybe I'm not pushing myself hard enough on my own?

emily_in_nc

02-27-2009, 04:58 PM

3.25 miles running (5.2 to 6 mph pace, mostly 5.7) on the treadmill, + .5 mi. walking. Knee felt great. :)

Happy weekend all!

Crankin

02-28-2009, 09:49 AM

Ran outside today. It's really gorgeous out, clear, sunny, and was 32 when I started and 36 when I got back. I warmed up for about a third of a mile and then ran 3 miles, with one little stop for about a minute. I am learning how to use the lap feature on my Garmin, which is no easy feat for me, but I don't want to count the part where I walked and I want to be able to find my av pace for each part of my run. Anyway, with a little help, I figured out my pace was about 9:50. I was struggling for the last half mile. But, on my new route, it's mostly flat with 2 small climbs... really small. So when I was done with the 3 miles, I was able to walk one more mile up the hill, to get home, which was a perfect cool down.
Still learning how to dress so I don't sweat to death. I profusely applied Body Glide to my rough spot, near my bunion, which really bothers me when I wear certain socks, then put a band aid over it. That was good. Off to the running store to look for thin, wool running socks.
Snow coming, so will be back to x country skiing and snow shoeing? I'm going up to Stowe on Friday, so I may not be running more than twice in the next week to ten days.

solobiker

02-28-2009, 10:20 AM

I got in a nice 4 mile run outside today. It was alittle cool, had to wear tights and a long sleave shirt. Plenty of sun and I had a nice view of the mountains. So pretty. I could have run longer but I don't want to get injured by ramping up to quickly. The only thing is....and it always happens when I run in cool/cold weather is that my Knees really hurt about 30 minutes after my run. I don't know how to fix this problem. Have a great weekend!!

Aggie_Ama

02-28-2009, 04:06 PM

I think I did my 10 mile run per the schedule. The trail is oddly marked so I decided 2 hours would be 10+/- miles. Close enough it was crazy windy, I have the wind burn and sore knees to prove I plugged along for 2 hours! Then I went on a very leisurely greenbelt hike with my friend. I am pooped.

On a side note, I saw some Biofreeze type drug store product. I think it was called Freeze It or something like that. Anyone tried it? I am biofreeze fan but not enough to order online or find a chiro selling it.

eclectic

02-28-2009, 04:34 PM

I did it! I got my interval run done! I did the one I should have done and couldn't get through 2 weeks ago.

I am still on the TM, it was -10F here this morning (w/o the the windchill) and there is no sign of the streets and sidewalks thawing anytime soon. I am scheduled to do an 8 mi run in 2.5 weeks- I will still do that on the TM but would like to get some of the shorter ones outside so I can start getting used to the harder surface.

I am swimmng a biathlon relay tomorrow- they had to change the route for the run to an out and back because it was the only clear area they could find.

I wore my new shoes, I didn't think my others had that many miles on them but perhaps they do. I took some aleve and stretched really well after and so far the calves are no worse for wear :D

I warmed up 1.5 miles by starting to walk at 4.0 then kept bumping it up .1

At .5mi I went to 4.8 for a mile

I started the intervals at 5.4 (11:03) and held them for .5 miles,

Dropped to 4.8 for .25 then back up

did 3 sets.

I then did CD at 4.8. It said to do them at a slow jog.

total 5 miles w/ 2 miles of intervals

I felt good when I was done and my HR didn't go through the ceiling. I can definately tell I am improving - 5 miles didn't seem that bad - it just takes me awhile. W/ the warm up and cool down walking I averaged about a 12.5 min mile - so definately getting better. Maybe someday I will make it to a 10 min mile - there is now hope!

kelownagirl

02-28-2009, 05:18 PM

Urlea

02-28-2009, 05:49 PM

Got out for an 8.5 miler in the late morning today. I was unsure about doing the run at all because my lungs were feeling a little funny last night. Don't think I have caught my hubby's pneumonia yet. The weird chest feeling is something I've experienced before and it was nothing then.

My breathing was a bit tight to begin with on my run, but by mile 3 I felt completely normal and really strong. The temps were good, my layering was perfect & doing my route in reverse was refreshing.

I have made sure to get plenty of sleep lately and drink a lot of fluids so hopefully no pneumonia. I'll keep you posted on that.

Gotta admit it feels good to look at my training log this month. Lots of training checked off! :D

Crankin Try Teko brand wool socks, they are fantastic. It's all I've worn this winter and they have yet to fail me. They are as thin as their summer socks (which I also use).

Kelownagirl I think our feet get bigger the more we run! I used to be a 8.5 in every type of shoe and since I've been running not only have my trainers gotten to be a 9 but every other shoe as well.

I hope the larger size helps you with those shin splints. Ouchie!

Aggie Have I asked what distance race you are training for?

Good job getting your training runs in this week ladies, lets keep that going for next!

eclectic

02-28-2009, 05:53 PM

I bought new shoes today and got a half size larger. Wow, what a difference! I always automatically go in an ask for size 8 because that's what I've always worn but I started thinking that maybe they are getting too small, especially with my orthotics in there. Sure enough, my feet have 'grown". So I now have a pair of New Balance 1063's. I am REALLY hoping that will make the difference with my shins.

My PSA - next time you buy shoes, check your size. Your feet do DO get bigger with age!

Smart girl!
- my feet changed when I got pregnant but now they have held steady for 20 years - so don't fear you won't be wearing size 13 by the time you are 50 :D
Since 7th grade I have only increased 1 full shoe size but I suppose i will go up another .5 when I am old and my feet flatten more and get wider

good luck w/ them helping out your shins :) - I switched shoes today to a new pair too and my calves feel better, I didn't think my old ones were that worn because I have never worn them outside and haven't done a lot of running in them.

I have a website (can't think of it now) where not only do you record you miles but which shoes you were wearing when you ran them so you can keep track of the miles on your shoes!

OakLeaf

02-28-2009, 06:41 PM

I have fit issues anyway - among other things, long toes, so that a shoe that fits my actual foot is much too small for the length of my toes. For years I'd worn shoes that fit my feet and put the arch in the right place. I've had custom orthotics for maybe 4 years now, but never quite put it together that I could maybe go to a larger shoe, until this past fall. Now, every pair of shoes I get is bigger than the last pair. I'm not convinced my feet are actually getting bigger though, it's more that I've always had to compromise on fit, and I've just completely revised the compromises I'm making. I wore an 8-1/2 for years - my current running shoes are 10 Wide and I may yet go to a 10-1/2 Wide for my next pair - the hiking boots I bought this winter are a size 9 men's. Elephant feet! :eek:

Anyway I woke up this morning sore all over and it didn't improve after Pilates and Yoga classes. So I just wound up doing a very relaxed 4 mile recovery run. It seemed like a good opportunity to test oat milk in my hydration bottle. I'm not sure... it seemed to sit in my stomach like food, not like a beverage. The jury's still out.

Hope you feel better Urlea, be careful! Pneumonia is nothing to mess with. Great job you all! :)

Jolt

02-28-2009, 08:35 PM

I did about 20 minutes around the neighborhood again, breaking my rule about not running yet on consecutive days (because I will not have time tomorrow and there's a big snowstorm coming). It was a fairly nice day although not as warm as yesterday. Looks like some good snowshoeing coming up though!

alpinerabbit

03-01-2009, 01:49 AM

Yesterday was a pooootiful day, 12°C, not a cloud in the sky.

I had done a looong run on Sunday, spinning Monday, nothing Tue, my PT-prescribed Lunges Wed and still had sore butt from that, 30min run Thu and a brief session of PT on Fri.

My legs were tired.

Nevertheless I schlepped my butt on top of the hill and round about there for an hour. I'm sure it wasn't a pretty picture (I got mercilessly passed by two old guys) but I'm glad I went and I have no pain. Woo hoo.

Aggie_Ama

03-01-2009, 07:20 AM

Crankin Try Teko brand wool socks, they are fantastic. It's all I've worn this winter and they have yet to fail me. They are as thin as their summer socks (which I also use).

Aggie Have I asked what distance race you are training for?

Good job getting your training runs in this week ladies, lets keep that going for next!

+1 on the TEKO socks, I love mine! They are even nice in mild 40's-50's.

I am training for a half marathon, I am at a point where I am not really enjoying it but won't give up either!

Susan Otcenas

03-01-2009, 07:45 AM

I've been following a 13 week training program designed to take a non-runner (which definitely defines ME :) ) from nothing to a 10K in, yes, 13 weeks. Today's run was week 12, workout 1 (of 3). The plan was run 45, walk 1, run 20 for a total workout of 66 minutes. Yesterday, I mapped out a loop out my front door that works out to 6.3 miles, and decided that today I would see how much of that I could cover in 66 minutes. Well, I can hardly believe it, but I covered the entire distance!! In exactly 66 minutes. I am sooooo excited. It's been a really long time since I've been in the shape to run this distance, and even longer since I've been able to do it at that pace.

I also wanted to thank you guys for the Bolthouse suggestion re: nutrition. As it turns out, I haven't found it yet, but the smoothie idea got me thinking that I might be able to stomach something like yogurt as a pre-run food. (I make my homemade smoothies with yogurt). So I had one about 20 minutes before, followed by a Gu Roctane *immediately* before I left, and that combo worked. I had enough energy and didn't get hungry during the run.

Now, it's time for breakfast, and then I'm off to my 10am swim lesson.

Have a wonderful day ladies!!

Susan

solobiker

03-01-2009, 08:18 AM

Way to go Susan. That is great. I am working my way back up to that distance too. Keep up the good work. I hope by next weekend to achieve that distance.

eclectic

03-01-2009, 08:43 AM

Susan GREAT job on the speedy run! That had to be an amazing feeling!

Aggie_ama you said my thoughts exactly - not enjoying it but not going to give up!

Alpine Hooray on the no pain!

Oak I hear you on fit. my foot is a standard width but I have a high arch and instep and my first 3 toes are the same length so I need a wide toe box but an average heel. luckily I found a model of Asics that fit really really well.
My daughter couldn't even find a snowboot in a woman's size to fit, she had to go to mens, I think she is at an 11 women's now.Long flat feet totally opposite of mine. (good thing - she can't take my shoes) At school and when I shop for shoes I have noticed girls feet are way bigger than they were a generation ago. All my friends wore size 6.5 to 8 and all my daughters friends and girls at school are wearing 8 to 11's! I wonder why that is.

Urlea {{{{{{healing vibes}}}}}}} sent over for you DH and for you to not catch anything. Glad to hear everything felt good on your run

No run today - I am glad I am doing the swim portion of the biathlon - the temps are only +8 F and there is nothing to break the wind on the 5 mi run portion.

alpinerabbit

03-01-2009, 10:49 AM

I might be able to stomach something like yogurt as a pre-run food. (I make my homemade smoothies with yogurt). So I had one about 20 minutes before, followed by a Gu Roctane *immediately* before I left, and that combo worked.

Maybe you want to try plain yoghurt with some honey on top. Tastes yummy!

Crankin

03-01-2009, 11:34 AM

I ordered the Teko socks, 2 micro pairs and 2 that are a little taller. Then I cleaned out my plastic drawers with all of my cycling/sports apparel. What a job. I brought up a bigger set of drawers my son used in college and rearranged everything, threw out a few things.
I have a lot of stuff...

eclectic

03-01-2009, 01:24 PM

mudmucker

03-01-2009, 01:37 PM

emily_in_nc

03-01-2009, 03:48 PM

Susan, congratulations! That is wonderful. So far my longest run is 5 miles, and that was last year. This year I've only done 3-4 mile runs. I still don't consider myself a "real" runner because I'm so irregular with it, don't do events, etc. I would, however, like to run a 10K someday just to say I did. I'm slow so I'm not as keen on the 5K distance as I would probably come in last in an event, and that would just make me feel lousy.

Your accomplishments are most inspiring!

OakLeaf

03-01-2009, 03:53 PM

Way to go Susan! :D

Urlea

03-01-2009, 05:42 PM

Emily, Please don't let your pace keep you from participating in events! You'd be surprised at all the different paces people run/walk at,at most races.

Keeping mind to run your own race makes a huge difference. I get passed by a lot of people and that will start to get me mentally if I don't remind myself that it's only my PR to beat, not somebody else. :)

Aggie I admire your determination! It's tough to train when you aren't exactly feeling inspired. Anything in particular that is keeping it from being enjoyable or just weary of the added distance?

Susan Woohoo!!! You'll be in ship shape come your half marathon, no problem. Congrats on such a great run! :D

Me, I am enjoying my rest day. Sunday is the only day I don't train for something and it feels great!

Susan Otcenas

03-01-2009, 06:15 PM

I would, however, like to run a 10K someday just to say I did. I'm slow so I'm not as keen on the 5K distance as I would probably come in last in an event, and that would just make me feel lousy.

Emily,

I agree with Urlea. You should do it anyway. I've lost a whole bunch of weight recently, but the past few years I was quite heavy. I still did triathlon and was always near the back. And I was slooooow. But I always finished. And while I wished I was faster, I kept thinking "well, I'm doing something that 99% of the other people out there can't even imagine doing. So who cares that I'm slow!"

I don't think you'd be last. But even if you were, you'd be DOING it. And that is a huge accomplishment to be celebrated.

Susan

Crankin

03-02-2009, 03:49 AM

Emily, we should do an event together :rolleyes:! Right now, I can't see me ever running over 3 miles, because it still is not easy for me to run that far. I know eventually, I can build up, but a 10k I think might have to wait until the end of the summer. I don't care about being slow.
Funny, I would never think about racing a bike. I know what that takes. I don't even do charity rides and every year I do less group riding, just riding with friends. But doing a 5K or 10K doesn't seems less daunting, as far as the actual thought of a "race."
7 inches of snow and still coming down...

OakLeaf

03-02-2009, 04:43 AM

Emily, in the 5Ks around here, there are usually LOTS of finishers in the 40- and 50-minute range. (And I'm not just talking about people in the older age groups either.)

+1 on running your own race. I haven't noticed anyone posting in this thread that's Olympic caliber! (And if I've missed someone, apologies!) But for "the rest of us," it's just for fun and fitness. In a local race, how I place is entirely dependent on who else shows up. And it really doesn't matter much to me.

Plus, there are lots of runners in this world who never enter a race. Lots of us on this board have fun with some friendly competition, but you're no less of a runner if that's not your cup of tea!

Aggie_Ama

03-02-2009, 06:19 AM

Aggie I admire your determination! It's tough to train when you aren't exactly feeling inspired. Anything in particular that is keeping it from being enjoyable or just weary of the added distance?

The distance isn't really getting to me. I think it is the schedule and structure. I am so tired I don't feel like doing anything I don't run, which is only two days a week. It is pretty exhausting to run 5x a week. Last week I went mountain biking but yesterday I sat around the house, ran some errands. This is my first time ever doing a training schedule and I am not really enjoying the "run x amount on x day" part I guess.

DH says he felt the same way when he was a football player but the end result (for me completing the 1/2) was worth it and then I don't have to run if I don't want to. :p

emily_in_nc

03-02-2009, 08:33 AM

Thanks for all the encouragement - you gals are so sweet! :)

Actually, I would probably consider a 5K, given all the stuff you have said, except that most of them I've found just aren't very convenient for me to get to from where I live (out in da boonies), and I am not a morning person, so I tend to run around lunchtime (or late morning). I've also been cutting way back on discretionary spending for a variety of reasons, so paying $25+ to do such a short event (and the driving to and from) just doesn't seem practical right now. But, never say never -- I will consider it if an event comes up nearby that has a reasonable entry fee and doesn't begin at oh-dark-thirty. :D

eclectic

03-02-2009, 08:40 AM

Emily - come and run w/ me and you won't come in last :)

A couple of years ago I had an asthma attack in the middle of the OW swim. I had to switch to my back and just kick - took me FOREVER to get out of the water and that is my strong leg. I was going to quit because I knew I would be last but decided to finish anyway (mainly because gas was like 3.00 that time and it was a 5 hour drive to get there) and I decided someone had to finish last.
I finished and guess what !:D I didn't come in last! Second to last but not last.

Like everyone said you would be surprised who is there. I am there because of the friendly competition and to meet my own goals.
Mainly because if I don't have an event to train for I don't work out, being good for me just doesn't cut it.

emily_in_nc

03-02-2009, 01:14 PM

Mainly because if I don't have an event to train for I don't work out, being good for me just doesn't cut it.

I think that's part of why I say that I really am not a "runner", if being one entails training for and doing events. Maybe I should say I am a "fitness jogger". I only started last February, and once it got too warm for me to run outside (about May here in humid NC), I stuck with treadmilling at the gym. Even though I haven't done a cycling event in several years, I still consider myself a cyclist, but not a runner. If I ever do a running event, then I guess I'll probably feel like a real runner, but for now, I run to burn calories and for heart and bone health, not to do events. Just a slightly different focus. :)