Running towards the sun (Daylight Savings week 3/9-3/15) [Archive]

kacie tri-ing

03-09-2009, 06:31 AM

I ran from 6-8 last night and it wasn't quite dark! I hate loosing that hour of sleep, but I LOVE having the evening to run in the light!

I am 4 weeks from my HIM, and this was the first weekend I thought I might have lost my mind a little. Saturday I did a fairly hilly 1.5 hour bike ride followed directly with an 8.5 mile super hilly trail run. Lost my mind. I was worried, because this is the longest brick I have ever done...by far. Even though it is on one of my toughest runs, my legs actually felt springy the whole time, which bodes well for 4 weeks from now! Now, the 10 mile trail run on Sunday is a different story. It was edging on hot, and my legs felt really burned out on a couple of hills. Fortunately, I think ran enough in my marathon training to have the mental ability to just push through a run that I am not all that excited about finishing.

Luckily for my poor legs, today is swimming :D Tomorrow is a 9 miler that I will have to do in the city since it is a work day, and I can't get to the trails.

Enjoy your runs!

solobiker

03-09-2009, 02:54 PM

still recovering from from my cold. Can't seem to get rid of this darn cough. I just went for a short 3 miler today. I hope to build back up next week. My Duathlon is 8 weeks away and my tri is aoubt 12. Have a great week everyone.

Susan Otcenas

03-09-2009, 03:50 PM

4.4 miles this morning @ 5:30am with snow flurries swirling all around. It was fun running in the snow! Nothing was sticking, so it wasn't slick at all.

I was supposed to have done this run yesterday but a bit too much of the grape on Saturday night put the kabosh on that. :o

This coming Sunday is my first "real" run event in years. It's just a 5K, but it's been so long that even though there is absolutely no reason for me to be worried, I still have some nervousness. Silly, right?

OakLeaf

03-09-2009, 03:57 PM

Hoo, boy, last week I had one of those weeks that makes me wonder how people with jobs do it.

We weren't even really working much, just hanging out with the journos and helping out a bit. But when you're at work from dawn to past dinner time, the healthiest food you have access to is often french fries, and you're living on 5-1/2 hours of sleep even without losing some more for a workout... sheesh.

I'd already been short a couple of workouts earlier in the week, for several reasons.

Anyway, intervals yesterday, an overnight trip and a short recovery run today. Back to it, with a revitalized respect for you normal people!!!

Crankin

03-09-2009, 05:00 PM

Back to reality. I am recovering from my vacation. Hard snow shoeing, too much wine and food.
Going to run tomorrow.
Will I ever be able to ride my bike?

jesvetmed

03-09-2009, 10:21 PM

A run in the snow today. (YES.. SNOW AGAIN HERE!) Well, walk/run. 6 min warm up, 30 minutes of walk 2 min / run 2 min. My calf tightened a little. I've hit it with ice, ibuprofen, stretching, and the STICK (my favorite new thing!). Have my usual massage with PT tomorrow, so hopefully they'll work it out for me. It has been hanging in there OK with getting back into some small amounts of running. Should be fine after a rest tonight, (she says with her fingers crossed :rolleyes:)

Aggie_Ama

03-10-2009, 06:06 AM

Ran 4 miles of 3x1 intervals last night. I am getting faster- woot! 4 miles took 42 minutes which is down from my 11.25 minute miles. It was about 80% humidity, I wanted to punch somebody by the time I was done for sure! Last week I skipped my long run, I was mentally just gone. I have really been stressed out and just couldn't do it.

eclectic

03-10-2009, 06:16 AM

Urlea

03-10-2009, 06:58 AM

Eclectic- There is so much blowing snow here (37mph gusts) that I cannot see off my deck. I am thinking most of the snow is from what fell yesterday, but it's hard to tell because the constant wind isn't allowing anything to land/accumulate. (DH just informed me the plows have been pulled off the road because they cannot keep up with the snow. Yikes!)

Of course I will be on the dreadmill today! Yesterday was my first time upping my biking to 30miles 3x a wk. so I'm curious how my legs will feel on the run. They feel tired just walking around, but not sore so hopefully that's a good sign. :)

Saturday is a St. Patty's 5k for me. I haven't raced since November, so I am looking forward to it. Means pushing my long run to Thursday morning when I do the group run, will have to be mindful to slow my pace down it's not supposed to be a tempo run :p .

Great start to the week for the rest of you, keep it up!

Kacie- I'm curious when I'll hit my crazy point in the HIM training. Sounds like you were tough enough to make it through & finish that brick. Well done! I am excited to hear how your training progresses. :)

Aggie_Ama

03-10-2009, 07:56 AM

Kacie- I just went back and read your post. That is how I felt this weekend but coupled with personal and work stress plus traveling, I just crashed. Way to tough it out. I felt really strong yesterday and the week before I felt strong on my 10 miler. I am not going for a record or anything, just completing the 1/2 marathon. But right now I am really tired. You are amazing to be constantly training, are you going to rest after this?

Eclectic- I think you wouldn't count it?

Karma007

03-10-2009, 08:50 AM

I haven't done much in the last few days, but Karma (my running buddy) and I had the BEST workout yesterday! It was sunny after work and bf ususally does the afternoons (I get the 5:15 am ) I took Karma out on our usual route. We did some jogging, then decided to swing by the park. There was NO ONE there! We ran up and down play structures, then did sprints by tagging a specific tree. It was SO much fun! K has been so cooped up lately. I don't know (or care) what our mileage was, but between the 3 mile walk and playtime, we were gone an hour. :D

eclectic

03-10-2009, 09:07 AM

tofu - sounds like you and Karma did a good Fartlek workout!

That seems a lot more fun than going circles on the track or staring at a wall on the TM :D

kacie tri-ing

03-10-2009, 11:16 AM

I do feel a little crazy :eek:

But--yesterday, my elbow was killing me out of the blue. I called my coach and my chiropractor, and they had me icing for quite a while last night. I felt better this morning. I am trying to be careful, I promise! When I feel pain somewhere, I am on the phone until I get answer/advise.

I start to get a little crazy about anything that hurts at all right now. I feel like I have been training forever really hard. I started towards my marathon in october and the HIM right after the marathon.

I think it would be nice to take a little break--BUT DH and I are doing a cross country tour in the summer..and I am going to be doing some centuries before then. At the same time, I really love training :-)

I have a 9 miler tonight, that I am going to try to knock out. My running parter has started to leave me on the longer weekday runs . I think that is when you are starting to get a little crazy! I need to make some friends to bike with. I don't really need swimming friends too much (though it would be nice), because I just do really really long sets!

I am under 4 weeks now. I guess I should write on the triathlon board, but I don't feel like that's exactly where this training belongs for some reason:p

kacie tri-ing

03-10-2009, 11:18 AM

Looks like a lot of you have the week off to a good start! and early in the day too.

Crankin' isn't that what vacation is all about? Food and wine? at least you did activity to work it all off and didn't just lay on a beach somewhere warm - although that sounds really good about now

Urlea - what is the weather doing down there? it is just cold and blowing here - very little snow

question I am planning on doing my 7 mile run tonight. If I walk .25 to warm up and cool down do I count that in w/ the 7 miles or is it in addition to?

I would play it by ear. If you get to 7 with the warm up/cool down and you are exhausted. Count it. You still covered the distance. If you get there, and you really think you can do .5 more miles at a run, go for it, and pat yourself on the back when you are done for running the whole thing.

kacie tri-ing

03-10-2009, 11:19 AM

Aggie_Ama

03-10-2009, 12:37 PM

When is your half again? You should be ready soon if you have already had a strong 10 miler!

April 4. I use "strong" loosely meaning I didn't question my sanity until about the last 5-10 minutes of the 2 hour run. :p This weekend is what I think is the real test, a 12 miler. Ooof. The bad thing is this half is kind of hilly, not sure what I was thinking but then again it will be easy to beat my time if I decide to do another one, right? I keep wondering how I will train for a full in the distant future but DH has promised we are doing that together so I will have a partner in suffering.

I think your tour sounds delightful, are you going to blog like Edna's husband?

Syndi- I HATE HATE HATE running in the rain. You are one tough chica!

Crankin

03-10-2009, 03:04 PM

I went out around 4 (I love Daylight Savings Time), dressed correctly for the first time, as in no overheating. I did one of my routes backwards, after I figured out I could probably run more of it, since there is more downhill in the beginning. The snow melt was really annoying, especially on the part of the run that is on a sidewalk. So, I ran 3.2 miles, including a warm up in the beginning. I broke it up into 4 parts, where my pace was 10:36, 11:12, 10:45, and 12:20. I felt sluggish, but I was proud of the last part, because that was the last mile of my run, up my street, which includes an 8-10% climb. The 10:45 part was also up a small hill. I walked and ran for part of the last segment to cool down, but I ran all the way up the hill.
I just have to figure out how to run a bit more to get to 3 miles without including my warm up. Oh, and thank you for recommending the Tekko socks. They were perfect.
My next goal is to run 4 miles.

Jolt

03-10-2009, 05:17 PM

I had to force myself to get out the door for a run this afternoon--I had cramps and felt icky. However, tomorrow is supposed to be awful weather so I decided I had better get a run in today. I did 25 minutes around the neighborhood--about half was on the pavement and half on grass. It turned out that I felt really good during the run so I was glad to have pushed myself out the door. Next run will be a half hour. So far so good with the VFFs--they seem to be working really well for me on a variety of surfaces (pavement, trails, grass, indoor track). It's a good compromise when one would like to go barefoot but is concerned about what she might step into. I don't think I will go back to regular running shoes if I can help it.

eclectic

03-10-2009, 05:20 PM

Another 7 mile run under my belt :D AND I didn't count the warm up or cooldown :D :D :D

My legs weren't the greatest because of all the tumbles I took on Sunday while x-country skiing (it was icy and there were hills :o but it didn't seem to interfere

The whole thing was done inside . . . again :( The windchills were reading -25 and still snowy and icy

I warmed up .25 on the track. then did 2.5 on the TM, 3 on the track and 1.5 on the TM . I then cooled down on both the TM and the track - total w/ WU and CD was 8 miles.

The thing I was really PUMPED about was my HR was 10 beats lower for the first 2.5 on the TM than the last time at the same pace. It jumped up on the track but I know I was going faster. When I got back on the TM it climbed again but I had bumped the pace up .4 mph for awhile. Still all in all my average HR was lower on this 7 miles than the last one I did :D

Now we shall see how my calves fair - I am icing them as I type.

I plan on swimming in the AM to stretch everything out.

Aggie_Ama

03-10-2009, 05:33 PM

Great job Eclectic!

I did my 30 minute tempo run around the neighborhood to try to force my legs to feel pavement. My neighborhood is really small so I can't go over my 30 minute runs. It is so humid I wouldn't want to. The next two days look dicey because rain is supposed to come. I don't have a gym or treadmill so I might just be skipping those runs if it is raining. Saturday I will have to suck it up even if it is raining because I can't skip the 12 miler. :o

Urlea

03-10-2009, 07:55 PM

Took me all day to talk myself into hopping on the dreadmill. Thankfully for only 3miles as per my training schedule.

How the rest of you ladies manage to run miles upon miles on those things is beyond me. Kudos to you!! I'd rather run outside in the cold. :)

Legs felt okay overall, had real troubles adjusting my stride to running on the belt and I think any discomfort was derived from that. Really hoping the 5ft + drifts in front of the entry doors will be cleared along with the roads so that I can make it for my swim & bike tomorrow. We shall see.

eclectic

03-11-2009, 05:41 AM

kacie tri-ing

03-11-2009, 06:52 AM

9 miles last night. I could feel in my legs this morning that i had also snuck in an extra 14 on the bike that I was not supposed to do. I have to convince myself to follow instructions!

So it was around 80 degrees yesterday here in atlanta, and I live by a huge park in the city. There were SO many people out running, and I was suprised that I felt a little irritated towards them. Where were they when it was cold? I could have used smiles, hellos, and waves back in December! Alas, I gained control of myself and smiled and waved at them. The ING atlanta marathon is in 2.5 weeks, so there are even more people out then normal. Deep down, I want everyone to be out running and exercising, which is why I was suprised at my feelings! I am sure I will be over it soon :D

I am going out of town this weekend to a beach house in charleston for a bachelorette party type thing. I am a little embarrased about how MUCH training I have to do while I am there. Luckily I THINK my friends understand what I am doing with this HIM thing. But I am not sure if they will really understand. I told them I would come along, but I had to bring my bike, wetsuit, and running shoes, and I would have a lot to do. This weekend is three weeks out! I have four hours on the bike saturday, 14 miles running sunday, and I need to swim a little in open water at some point. I swear, they are goingto think I'm crazy.

Urlea

03-11-2009, 07:14 AM

I am going out of town this weekend to a beach house in charleston for a bachelorette party type thing. I am a little embarrased about how MUCH training I have to do while I am there. Luckily I THINK my friends understand what I am doing with this HIM thing. But I am not sure if they will really understand. I told them I would come along, but I had to bring my bike, wetsuit, and running shoes, and I would have a lot to do. This weekend is three weeks out! I have four hours on the bike saturday, 14 miles running sunday, and I need to swim a little in open water at some point. I swear, they are goingto think I'm crazy.

Kacie- You aren't crazy, you are passionate! (Which unfortunately is often confused.) :D

I can identify with your need to hold yourself to the training schedule, it's hard! Especially when you are having a good session & know your body could go farther.

As to training while away this weekend, I think it's difficult for people who haven't trained for events to understand how important it is to get those sessions in. Don't let that discourage you, you've got a whole group of ladies here that "understand".

Good for you for lugging all that gear with you & doing it, you'll be glad you did! :)

Aggie_Ama

03-11-2009, 09:09 AM

Kacie I had the same reaction to all the people hitting our local fitness trail once the weather perked up. I wanted to run stronger, faster, longer just to show them they were wimps because I had ran when it was 40 degrees, I had ran in January. Not exactly the nicest attitude. And of course maybe they all have gym memberships or something and I shouldn't assume but really Texas is so temperate they should try running in the dead of winter. :p

roadie gal

03-11-2009, 10:31 AM

**crossed fingers** I'm running again. It's been 6 months. I had that weird abdominal muscle insertion strain... but I've been running about twice a week for the last 3 weeks. I did 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday and I feel OK today.

I REALLY want to be able to do my half-Ironman this year: 1/2 HIM at a 1/2 century old. It just sounds right... So I'm trying to take it easy and stretch out well afterwards. Here's hoping...

Shiraz

03-11-2009, 01:36 PM

Wow ladies,
You are doing some great things and running strong. The last two weeks have really been tough. I have made it through the bronchiolitis and now I feel like I might have a flu bug:(. Our peds floor has been crazy with the terrible stuff. I managed to have a good week of running last week despite everything but man I am exhausted today! I need to go out and run but I just want to do nothing. I am 5 weeks out from the 1/2 marathon. It actually warmed up to 32 degrees and the sun is shining!!

Roadie gal- what great timimg to achieve something so cool!
Kacie - Way to go with the training. I am so impressed!

Jolt

03-11-2009, 02:47 PM

Shiraz, sorry to hear you may have caught some crud from your patients! Not fun.

michelem

03-11-2009, 09:27 PM

Wow, it's been a while since I checked in. I'm gearing up for a relay race this coming Sunday. My brother just got in for the 1/2, but it filled up before my sister-in-law and I signed up. So, we're doing the relay -- 7.1 and 6 miles, respectively. I've never done a relay before (well, except for when I was A LOT younger in school!), so this should be interesting. That, coupled with the fact that it's supposed to rain AGAIN this weekend (of course, it's been beautiful this week, while I've been stuck inside at work).

Anyway, I'll try to check in after the race. Keep up the good work everyone! :)

Urlea

03-12-2009, 04:05 AM

This morning I was hoping to make up for the miles I will miss on my long run when doing the St. Patty's 5k on Saturday instead, but between tired legs from the bike yesterday & -30 windchills this morning I stuck with 5miles.

In my attempt to avoid frostbite (no worries there) I wore ski goggles for part of the run. They fogged up about 1.5 miles in so I had to take them off. Lesson learned, but it was worth a shot. Other than an upset stomach that had me walking for about 5min. and having to run on the street due to drifts engulfing the sidewalks it was a decent run. Got to visit with Dickk Beardsley a little bit, he was in the store today. :)

I'm trying to decide if I should just call it good with my 5 miles today or head to the gym this afternoon to hit the dreadmill for another 5. What do you think? Not sure how much missing my long run will effect the training progress. *shrug*

Susan Otcenas

03-12-2009, 10:03 AM

I ran 40 minutes yesterday morning and felt AMAZING. I actually felt like I was *running* as opposed to my usual jog (which I call "trotting" :D ) I really really hope that the running Susan is the one who shows up for the race on Sunday. Tomorrow morning I have an easy 30 minute run planned; just enough to stay loose and limber. Saturday I'll ride my bike to pick up my race packet, so I'll have an easy, relaxing 25 miles on the bike. Then it's race day!

Should be kinda crazy at the start. I was looking at some of last years results and some people have 4 or 5 or even 6 minutes between their gun time and their chip start time. Zowie. I've never done an event where it took that long to make it to the start line.

teigyr

03-12-2009, 02:23 PM

Susan, are you running in OR or WA? I'll be at the St. Paddy's Day Dash in Seattle on Sunday. I know it'll be insanely crowded but it is so much fun.

It is so great to see how everyone is doing! I'm still plugging along. My work shift is really early a.m. right now (like I wake up at 3am?) so I run after work. I'm not what you'd call a strong person if I wake up early. I ran hills this week and am increasing time in my intervals. I found a hill that was long enough and I wasn't sure of the grade. I needed between 6 - 8%. It was painful...and I later learned that the steepest portion of this road is 20%. Oh well, I guess I learned. It's time to find another hill.

I don't know how people do the treadmill either. I haven't been on it yet this year - there is something unnerving about running and yet staying in the same place. Last year I know I'd count how many people walked into the gym and how many people walked out and it was boring. This year I've run in the rain and ice and snow and I think I'm happier that way.

Jolt

03-12-2009, 02:29 PM

I'm back up to a half-hour run!! Finally. Once again laps around the park/fields nearby--that has turned out to be a quite decent place to run. Not totally flat (i.e. boring) but no crazy hills either, and a nice surface. I'm just excited to be pretty much back up to my usual length of run (although I plan on extending it to 40-45 minutes and maybe longer on some days).

Susan Otcenas

03-12-2009, 02:36 PM

teigyr - I'm doing the Shamrock Run in Portland. I just heard there are 18,000 people registered. Oh. My. Goodness. That is astonishing. How does one run with that many people?? I'm not fast enough to try to position myself towards the "front", but I don't want to be walking behind the 15-minute milers either....

teigyr

03-12-2009, 03:03 PM

Susan, I've wanted to do that one! You enjoy the experience, don't expect to go fast, and there's a lot of bouncing to one side or the other because people will suddenly start walking. It's amazing how many people SAY they can run 3 miles but they never actually have any intention of doing so. In the St. Paddy's run last year, I ran in the 8 - 10 minute mile group because the first group was sub 8 minute mile. I passed people in the first wave and I am NOT fast. I just started going in the first wave and getting out of the way of anyone who's actually going for an age group award.

I'm thinking there will be a pretty nice beer garden after your race :D

Susan Otcenas

03-12-2009, 03:22 PM

I'm thinking there will be a pretty nice beer garden after your race :D

The race starts at 8:05 a.m. Widmer Brothers is a sponsor, but I'm pretty sure I will *not* be drinking that early. I hear that the clam chowder at the end is pretty good, though.

Actually, I have a swim lesson at 10am Sunday that I'm hoping to make.

OakLeaf

03-14-2009, 05:21 PM

Good luck tomorrow Susan, Teigyr and Michele!

I did 10 on Thursday, out on pavement/concrete and return on the beach, and my knees didn't bother me one bit. The bodywork's really paying off. :) It was the first longer run I've done without a lot of wind (actually there was a pretty good wind, it was just almost entirely a crosswind), so it was a little different that way; I kept up a pretty steady 10:30 pace the whole run. I'm still looking for a fueling solution for my long runs, though. Gels are fine on the bike but I'm not thrilled about the idea of taking in gels while running. I'll try Heed next, I think.

Today was a 20 minute tempo run, 3.7 miles including warm-up and recovery jog.

Ride tomorrow. Gotta keep up with the Geonzes ya know ;)

Urlea

03-14-2009, 05:43 PM

I'm relaxing at home now. Kind of hectic day between a race and three hours on the road traveling to my nephew's b-day party, but I do have good news!

Today I ran the St. Patty's 5k & while my legs felt like lead from the 32mi bike & 1.2 swim I did yesterday I managed to push myself to finish at 26:51!!! The chip-time reports it as a 8.39min/mi pace so I'm guessing the actual course was a little longer than 3.1 since the math doesn't add up, but either way I'm jazzed!!! That's the fastest I've ever run, period. :D Great way to start off my 2009 race season. WOOHOO!

I'm excited to read the other race reports from this weekend, good luck!

Oak- Glad to hear running has been more comfortable for you! Heed comes in a melon flavor now that isn't so bad. Also perpetuim (sp?) has a latte flavor I'm interested in trying.

eclectic

03-14-2009, 05:47 PM

Have lots of fun tomorrow Susan and teigyr!

Hooray, hooray, hooray, doing a happy dance, the snow is melting, tra la la la :D
I walked home from church and the sidewalks are still terrible but the water is running! (I was kind of glad to see I wasn't the only one who finally gave up shovelling their sidewalk :p

Streets are still too narrow to run on and you would have a muddy water shower everytime someone drove by, BUT it is finally MELTING!

I have a new plan - I have been worried about transitioning to outside so I decided to start walking outside on my off running days. That is what I did the last time I was crazy enough to think I could run and I was able to transition to running w/ no problem. I think I will be able to find somewhere to walk hopefully.

Today was interval day - I did them on the treadmill so I could judge speed and distance. I was VERY happy how they went - my fast speeds are still slower than everyones slow speed but it was good for me.

1 mi warm up - this running has really helped my walking! I started at 4 mph then kept bumping it up until 4.5 - I NEVER thought I could walk that fast! I started running at 4.8.

The intervals were 4x 500 @ 5 min w/ .25 recovery.

I did the math and decided on 4 x .5 mi @ 5.5 w/ .25 recovery.

I can't believe how much easier it was to do the 5.5 mph than to just do 4.9. My legs felt way better! My breathing is finally getting better too ( new inhaler) AND my Average HR was 154! ! ! ! :D
I was so excited I did .25 mi a @ 6 mph and lived to tell the tale.

This week's total was 14 miles - maybe I will be able to do this running thing after all.

Jolt

03-14-2009, 07:58 PM

It was a nice sunny 50-degree day here today, so I went on about a 45-minute trail run with my roommate (she does some running so I thought I'd see if she would be up for it). We had a good time even though she isn't really used to running trails, and I don't think I totally turned her off to it :p.

Crankin

03-15-2009, 04:42 AM

I fear my excitement about running is going to wane, now that I am back on my bike outside. Help me! I just don't want my legs to feel dead from running when I get on the bike. Yesterday, I barely made it up my driveway at the end of my ride. Yes, it's a 15% grade, but it told me I have a lot of work to do, to get myself back to where I was last fall. And then there's all of my on going injury issues.
I got a really good book, called Core Performance Endurance. It's for all types of endurance athletes, by the guy who runs the conditioning center in Tempe, that a lot of professional athletes go to. Going to start on some of his suggestions this week.

Shiraz

03-15-2009, 05:46 AM

I am heading out for a 14 miler run of rolling hills with two friends. The winds are suppose to blow at 15+ :o I really am needing some positive vibes from anywhere I can get it! So if you read this send them my way!!!

Veronica

03-15-2009, 06:48 AM

eclectic

03-15-2009, 09:17 AM

I did 2.1 miles this morning. I wasn't thrilled with my pace - avg. 10:20/mile. But given how little I ran in Feb. - 9 miles total, I guess that's not bad. It is more than 2 minutes faster than I was last April. :rolleyes:

Veronica

Whoa! 10:20 mile - 2 min faster than last April! so does that mean there is hope for me ?? ? ? :D

Correction - I reread my last post - YES I can do math! I am so anal about these things :rolleyes:

it was supposed to read 4 X 800 @ 5 min w/ 400 recovery

I did 4 x 875 @ 5:30 w/ .25mi recovery I figured that was close enough - I am NOT anal about that :D

solobiker

03-15-2009, 11:36 AM

I got in about 4.5 miles in today. The first half I felt great the second half I could feel my hamstrings tighten up as they usually do. I hope by next weekend to do a 6 mile run..I need to get my legs ready for my duathlon on May 9th. The weather was so nice, sunny with temps in the 40s during my run and right now it is close to 70s. Yeah Spring!!:D

michelem

03-15-2009, 01:54 PM

Ran the Shamrock'n 1/2 Marathon as a 2-person relay this morning. Yesterday, I rode a really hard 50 miles on my bike, which was not the smartest thing to do the day before a race. What made it so hard was the wind -- gusts up to 27mph. There were times where it was all I could do to go about 7mph and stay upright. I didn't have anyone to draft behind . . .

This morning, it was cold, drizzly, and still windy (today's gusts were up to 26mph). We got to Raley Field at about 6:20am, more than enough time before my brother and sister-in-law's 8am race start. Since I was doing the second 1/2 of the relay, I didn't have to be out at the transition area 'til about 8:45am. So, I stayed in the car and dozed. It was nice having indoor toilets to use at the field/baseball stadium. After "taking care of business," I walked over to the transition area, took off my sweats and got myself situated. Five or ten minutes later and my SIL handed me the "baton" (bracelet). I handed her my sweats and car keys and took off. Around mile 3 and I got a HUGE/PAINFUL side stitch. It lasted throughout the rest of the race. There were about 3 times where I had to stop and walk, it was so bad. I felt nauseous as well. It was all I could do to keep from puking. People passed me left and right throughout the race. I felt so defeated and crappy about my performance; like I was letting SIL down. Who did I think I was running a race after not running a step in over two months? Luckily the wind was not in my face the whole way, but when it was WOW! I felt like I was going SO SLOW!

Crossed the finish line at 1:50 and a couple seconds (8:24/mile). This was gun time as the relayers didn't get the luxury of chip timing at the start (only the second leggers got a chip). Amazingly enough, this was good enough to put us in seventh place out of 178. Not bad for an old lady like me (my SIL is 7 years younger, and I give her all the credit for our finishing time).

My brother crossed the finish just a couple minutes after me. We all agree that we'll never do this race again. It was not fun at all. Crummy scenery, for one. I guess we've been spoiled with the other races we've done (me SF, Folsom and them Reno, Truckee). After you've run across the Golden Gate, along the American River, Truckee River, Donner Summit, etc., West Sac is quite a letdown.

Anyway, not sure what I'll do next. Definitely the 10k here in Folsom in May, the Four Bridges Half here in Folsom in late October, and the California Int'l Marathon from Folsom to Sac in early December again. Other than that, who knows?

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY! :)

Susan Otcenas

03-15-2009, 02:17 PM

Urlea - Congrats on a great finishing time! I can feel the excitement in your post.

michelem - I'm so sorry you had a bad day. It can really be a drag to run in this kind of weather, eh?

We had rain - fairly hard at times - lots of wind, and cold temps here in Portland this morning. The Shamrock Run race start is down at the waterfront, so the wind was really whipping. There was very little shelter pre-race, except for under a bridge. Fortunately, Jeff brought along a large umbrella and we used it as a wind break. :eek: It was so cold that I was losing feeling in my hands and feet. I was doing jumping jacks to try to stay warm.

I placed myself in the 9-10 mile area, but it still took almost 5 minutes to even get to the start line. As teigyr predicted, it was a challenge to dodge people who were running very slow, or were walking, or were cruising along 4 abreast. But after a mile, it started to thin out *a little* and I could run more freely. I felt really good, even cruising up the grade on Broadway.

When all was said and done, I managed to run about 9:50/mile, which I'm absolutely thrilled with. My only disappointment for the day was that I had a cute little run skort outfit all picked out to wear, but the weather was so crappy that I had to revert to thermal tights and a Windstopper jacket. ;)

My legs were tired during my swim lesson afterwards, but I was very happy I still had the energy for a lesson at all!

Susan

eclectic

03-15-2009, 03:23 PM

Urlea - Somehow I missed your post or we were posting at the same time
Good job on the time! all your outdoor/miserable weather running is paying good dividends - and it will only get better from here!

Susan - That was a GREAT time especially having to jostle through people
Too bad about not being able to wear the cute outfit :( isn't that half the fun ?

michelem - That is too bad about the miserable run but great job on persevering through! And doing it after a hard ride the day before!

teigyr - Were you running today or did I dream that?

Crankin' let us know some of the things you are going to try! I will have to look that book up

Today was spin class - Although I don't feel like my running has improved a lot (I don't want my calves to hurt and I want to be faster) but I know it has helped a lot. I wore my HR monitor to spin class - It is getting harder and harder to get my HR up - I really have to work it. My monitor used to say I burned almost 600 cal in an hour now I am lucky if I can get it to 400. So progress is being made - and YES I am pushing it :D

kacie tri-ing

03-15-2009, 07:56 PM

Hello all....

I had an amazing 65 mile ride in charleston. When I got back from the ride, I got a phone call that DH had crashed (dodged another crash on a corner, hit a curb, and flew into a tree) at his race. He was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. So, I convinced one of the girls to drive me back 5 hours to atlanta a day early. He is hurting (broken clavicle and scapula on the left side), and his bike is broken in half:eek: We are going to see an orthopedist tomorrow in the morning. Hopefully the news will be good.

My lesson from this for running:

65 miles on bike + no stretching +emotion catastrophe + 5 hours driving + little sleep delivering pain pills + on and on = don't even try to run.

I got 3 miles into my 14 and about lost it physically and emotionally. I just couldn't do it. Everything hurt, and it was the first time my mind had been quiet enough to start to process how scary the accident was and how upset I really am about it. I had spent 24 hours trying to keep the logistics going, and everything working right, that I had not let it sink in. I know I don't need that 14 mile run to finish my race in 3 weeks. I can run just fine. DH was worried that the busted collarbone (in 2 places) would limit his cheering abilities at HIM :p He is very sweet....

Advice? Has anyone else had this lovely/terrible/painful/frighteningly common injury?

Urlea

03-15-2009, 08:47 PM

Kacie- Wowzers!!! So Sorry to hear about DH. Doesn't sound like fun, but I'm glad he's relatively "okay". Don't have any advice just hope things get easier in the new week. Take care!

Veronica

03-16-2009, 03:15 AM

Maillotpois busted her scapula last year. I don't know if she reads the running thread, so you might post questions in the health thread.

Veronica

Tuckervill

03-16-2009, 03:41 AM

For the first time ever, there was only one thread with new posts when I clicked in this morning,and it was this one. So, I read it, even though I don't run.

I just wanted offer my best wishes to Kacie...His injuries sound very painful, and of course it is stressful. Take care.

Karen

OakLeaf

03-16-2009, 04:57 AM

Yow Kacie, sending healing vibes to your DH and stress reducing ones to both of you! Good for you for listening to your heart, mind and body and not forcing yourself to finish out your scheduled run "no matter what."

Urlea, Susan and Michele too - great job all three of you, for some very different races.

Urlea, how exciting! I know my local 5Ks, when they report pace in the results, it's on the gun time, not the chip time. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but does the math work if you do it that way?

Susan, wow, running in such a crowd must be amazing! You'll just have to wear your skort next race.

Michele, sorry you had such a miserable experience. But, finishing as strongly as your team did, it sounds like you personally did better than you think.

Shiraz, how did your run go? I'm pretty scared about transitioning to steep hills and very hard surfaces when we go home this Spring.

Eclectic, isn't it great to see your work pay off!

Is it too snotty to say how jealous I am of you all experiencing Spring? Well, on to next week...

Aggie_Ama

03-16-2009, 05:03 AM

Advice? Has anyone else had this lovely/terrible/painful/frighteningly common injury?

We had a local mountain biker bust her collarbone last week. The advice I gleamed? Get the best dang doctor in town, make sure it is a sport one so they will be sensitive to the needs of cyclists, listen to the healing time and don't let him try to go back too soon because it will hurt like hell.

http://tmbra.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=9074
And our local MTB series has MD that answers questions. Here is his take on collarbones for a different girl, jeez they are really breaking the collarbones in Tejas:

I have been there done that, twice! Key to recovery is allowing the bone time to heal without over stressing the bone in the healing process. Do not do any heavy lifting or mountain biking until you are well healed. Most broken collar bones heal in about 6 to 8 weeks. To keep your lower extremity fitness up, ride a recumbent trainer or if you can find someone with a recumbent trike, you can get some easy road miles in. Do gentle exercises with your involved arm. Lean over at the waist of the affected side and let your arm dangle like a pendulum and working in clockwise and counter clockwise circles to keep the shoulder joint limber. Your collar bone will let you know when you can gradually increase your range of motion, gradually bringing your arm up to 90 degrees at the shoulder then eventually overhead. The clue of progress will be your diminshing pain with movement. Now if you are a well paid pro, you can even win a race on l'Alp d'Huez with a broken collarbone http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/tour_de_france_2003/3090517.stm , but I recommend going easy for the next 8 weeks.