Running week 5/4

[Crankin]

Today was going to be my rest day. I decided to go out for a walk before the rain, which was due in the afternoon. You know what happened...
I started running. Not exactly sure how far I went, because my Garmin wouldn't even go on today. It started synching up and then shut off, several times. Anyway, it started drizzling after I had gone about a mile, but I was warmed up, so I went on. I think I probably ran about 3.75, maybe 4 miles. There was a point when I could have turned back into my neighborhood, but I kept going. Then I started thinking about when I went for my leadership training with AMC and how they hammered us about hypothermia. It was 52 and raining out, so I was little concerned, since I didn't even have a hat on to protect my head, just a LS running top with my cycling vest, which was unzipped. I knew when I stopped to cool down and walk, I would get chilled, which I did, but I just couldn't run up the hill and stop cold. I did cut the cool down short by cutting through my neighbor's woods into my driveway and then proceeded to strip off the wet clothes in the entry way of my house (hoping the UPS guy didn't come right then). Got into my sweats when I noticed I felt a bit nauseous, so I ate. Then my stomach started hurting...
I was fine running, but now it's on the edge. Am drinking some herbal tea which is both settling my stomach and warming me up. Not sure what's going on; could be I left too soon after eating breakfast or I am just doing too much. I planned for a long ride tomorrow, but now I will play it by ear.

[Urlea]

Well Crankin it seems we both got to run in the rain this morning. Fun stuff! :D Hope you don't catch cold.

Met up with Maggy for our last training run together before the marathon. As I exited the underground parking I knew there may be issues. The dopplar radar on my computer had lied, the rain hadn't passed us yet, it was right over us & mixed with 15mph winds.

I was geared in what I plan to run the race in, just to give it a test & see if I could handle the cooler morning start without having to wear an extra layer. But, since it was only 3mi. I avoided going back into the house to grab something warmer/waterproof. As it turned out, I was just fine despite being a little wind blown & soggy.

These rock...

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSU_99920U_1.html

I have used them on several runs & on my cycling commute to the gym yesterday. Great addition to my other gear.

T-minus 4days!

[indigoiis]

Yesterday 5/4 I ran in the a.m. - 4 miles at a slow pace with one long (mile and a half) low hill on the way home.
Today it's raining and nasty so I neither ran nor rode. Rest day!

[kacie tri-ing]

No actual RUNNING happening yet (still just swimming and biking), but I did break down and get an appointment tomorrow with a sports doctor at Emory Orthopaedics and Spine center. I have to admit that something isn't quite right with my hip since the HIM. I am hopeful that he will just send me back home, but my coach is a little worried that I might have a stress fracture in my hip (even though I think on principle I am far too young to be breaking my hip!!! :p) Think really really really really really good thoughts for me please! I really want to be back in my running shoes!

GOOD LUCK WITH THE MARATHON! Oh man, the one I did was SOOO much fun!!! I cried when I crossed the finish line and fell into DH's arms. When I am feeling down about not running, I think about that moment of finishing, and I know that it is worth it to perservere and not give up something so wonderful!!! Have a great great time!!!!! Try to sleep a little the night before!

[skhill]

What a difference a little rain makes-- on Tuesday it was mid-50's, barely any wind, and dry (at last) and I found it to be heavenly running weather. About 3.5 miles (my longest ever) and I felt great!

[indigoiis]

Ran 3.2 miles at lunch with a steady hill - 35 minutes and my ankles were kinda cranky. Made me feel a little tired. But other than that, it was a fine run.

[Urlea]

Yesterday was kind of a bummer. My cycling commute to & from the gym on Monday was so great that I was just itching to get on my bike again. Figuring I would continue to obey the taper I decided to only commute to/from the bank which is about 9miles total and skip a trip to the gym entirely.

It was raining lightly which meant the section I ride past that they are currently hauling soil back into a field they emptied (to build dikes for the flood) caked my tires & me in dirt.

Arriving at the bank I was met with 2-3" rocks covering dips in the driveway that were about 6ft wide. Had to ride through that ON A ROAD BIKE, but I made it! Only to unclip one foot where I planned to get off the bike start grabbing my breaks. Between the wet parking lot making that one unclipped foot slide & tires covered in grit taking longer to come to a stop then I took into account, I went down. :(

What does this have to do with running? Well, when I went down my left knee (the still clipped in foot) took the brunt of the fall. Granted it was a slow-speed fall, but my knee is definitely bruised & slightly swollen. No fun!

This morning was my final run before the marathon on Saturday. Not knowing how my knee would feel I kept it short to only 3miles. I had good company & I have had worse runs, but I'm discouraged. Will I be able to run the full 26.2 with my knee hurting, probably. I hope so. But, earlier this week I was so excited to race w/ fresh legs,feeling strong & now I'm feeling unsure of myself. Perhaps that's normal though. I don't know.

I'm praying for swift healing in the next 48hrs. & adrenaline rush big enough to distract me from a roughed up knee.

I'll keep you posted! Thanks for listening to my rant. :)

Kacie- Sorry to hear you are still injured. Hope you get good news from the DR.! I'm excited for you to get back to running, can't imagine how you feel.

[Susan Otcenas]

Urlea - I'll be thinking healing thoughts for you on Saturday!! What time does the race start?

My swim heat goes off at 9:15 on Saturday. I'm a little nervous because, due to an organizer error, I'm in a slightly faster heat than I should be. I've only done a few bike/run bricks this season so far, so it will be interesting to see how my run performance fairs after the bike leg. I'm a strong cyclist - it's my best event - so I tend to really push the bike leg. Hopefully I keep enough in reserve on the bike to make my 30 minute run goal time.

[Crankin]

Good luck to everyone this weekend.
AHHHH, I just found out that the 5k I plan to do is the same day as the one charity ride I do every year. The ride is for a local Lions club, no fund raising involved, just an entry fee. I will consult with my friend, who works for the hospital sponsoring the run, because we usually do the ride with her. I guess I can always find another 5k.
It was raining again this AM, so I went to the gym. I was not really up for much, so I did a run/walk for 20 minutes and the elliptical for 15. The stomach thing was definitely some virus, which is finally gone, but I think I have been doing too much.
I hope to run again either tomorrow or Saturday.

[Veronica]

I ran to the gym yesterday. It was not a good run. After about 1.5 miles I kinda just wanted to hurl. I alternated running with walking for the next two miles, then worked out with my trainer.

I did see some really cute duck babies in the canal.

I did my download from my garmin and I had averaged 9:27 for the first 1.5 miles. That's like sprinting for me! No wonder I felt like crap. In the year I've been running I can count the number of runs I've truly enjoyed. I've decided I'm going to run every day for the next week. There's got to be at least one good run in there. :rolleyes:

Veronica

[Jolt]

I forgot to post my run yesterday, but I did about 20 minutes of trail running and a bunch of walking. I wished I could run longer, but just didn't have it in me to do so with proper form--definitely need to get back in condition!

[yellow]

Urlea, I banged my knee (patella) mountain biking on Sunday and it was so stiff on Monday that I could barely bend it. I decided to to go for a short run that afternoon just to try it out and it actually felt better when I finished than when I started. I ran M-Tu-Wed and by Wednesday it was way better and while it twinged a little when I ran, it didn't affect my running in any way. I think the excruciating pain going down stairs on Monday and residual pain I still have (minor) is largely due to bruising, fluid, and swelling. Yeah, it was just stiff. I spent a lot of time with an ice pack this week and it really helped.

My point? I think you will be fine at the marathon! Just keep icing it a few times a day. I've been surprised at how much mine loosened up as I ran. You will kill it at the race. Of that I have no doubt! DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!!!! http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-cheerleader-130.gif

~*~*~*~

I had a session with a trail/ultra running coach on Wednesday. I was mostly going for consultation (and testing him out) regarding some efficiency questions I've been trying to address. He doesn't think I really have any (other than my brain) and in fact was very complimentary of my running form. He did give me some things to think about for steep uphill running at my request because I have very tight achilles-calf connection that stretching doesn't seem to do anything for, so I'm now focusing on alternative ways of moving up the hill. I'm going to try it out today on my long run. I'm not sure if I can afford to hire him monthly right now, and since after the 50k at the end of the month I will probably back off for a month or so, it doesn't make sense right now.

[Veronica]

50 K - just amazing Sue!


Ran 3.7 miles to the gym yesterday. I took a different route. It's in the low 80s here in the afternoon and I'm trying to find shade alongv the way. There's no shade on the canal trail - my usual route to the gym.

It was circuit day with my trainer, jump rope, boxing, step ups, etc. I was pretty whupped by the end of my session.

Veronica

[kacie tri-ing]

Yesterday was kind of a bummer. My cycling commute to & from the gym on Monday was so great that I was just itching to get on my bike again. Figuring I would continue to obey the taper I decided to only commute to/from the bank which is about 9miles total and skip a trip to the gym entirely.

It was raining lightly which meant the section I ride past that they are currently hauling soil back into a field they emptied (to build dikes for the flood) caked my tires & me in dirt.

Arriving at the bank I was met with 2-3" rocks covering dips in the driveway that were about 6ft wide. Had to ride through that ON A ROAD BIKE, but I made it! Only to unclip one foot where I planned to get off the bike start grabbing my breaks. Between the wet parking lot making that one unclipped foot slide & tires covered in grit taking longer to come to a stop then I took into account, I went down. :(

What does this have to do with running? Well, when I went down my left knee (the still clipped in foot) took the brunt of the fall. Granted it was a slow-speed fall, but my knee is definitely bruised & slightly swollen. No fun!

This morning was my final run before the marathon on Saturday. Not knowing how my knee would feel I kept it short to only 3miles. I had good company & I have had worse runs, but I'm discouraged. Will I be able to run the full 26.2 with my knee hurting, probably. I hope so. But, earlier this week I was so excited to race w/ fresh legs,feeling strong & now I'm feeling unsure of myself. Perhaps that's normal though. I don't know.

I'm praying for swift healing in the next 48hrs. & adrenaline rush big enough to distract me from a roughed up knee.

I'll keep you posted! Thanks for listening to my rant. :)

Kacie- Sorry to hear you are still injured. Hope you get good news from the DR.! I'm excited for you to get back to running, can't imagine how you feel.



Ah yes, hurting yourself while tapering!!! The week before my HIM, I kept stubbing the same toe really really hard! I was SO scared about running and not being able to do anything, and alas, I was fine!

I agree ICE ICE ICE. It is really magic! I don't understand how it is so great but it is. I also agree that you are ready and you will loosen up when you start running. By mile 20, you will NOT be thinking about anything but blocking out all of the doubt and pain and getting to the end.

I am so excited for you!! Get some rest, and enjoy it! Have a blast, and give us a great race report!!!:D

[Urlea]

Thanks for the encouragement Ladies!!! It helps a lot, You Rock!

I met up with a few women from the marathon training group to pick up our race packets this morning. Seeing them and driving around the course got me more excited/ready to tackle this race. **** Beardsley signed some stuff for me at the expo & we were able to chat for about 10minutes which was fun. Nice guy.

It's been a tough week between getting injured & layoffs at DH workplace so I have decided to take a mental day today. I need to be focused for tomorrow & well rested physically and mentally. Thankfully I am self-employed which makes taking the day off easier.

Supper is ready to heat, a nap is in store & of course some icing of the knee. I feel okay, can definitely still feel the bruised knee, but I'm fairly confident I can run through it without injuring myself further.

I'll make sure DH has the camera so I can include pics w/ my race report!! :D

Keep on running!

[indigoiis]

Good luck, U, on your marathon.

I ran 2.5 today loose and easy in preparation for tomorrow's flat and windy (beachside) 8K. Ankle hurts a tad...

[OakLeaf]

Good luck on your races gals! Hope your injuries work themselves out quick.

[michelem]

Urlea,

Sweet dreams and good rest for you tonight and good luck in your race tomorrow! I'm looking forward to reading your race report . . .

:D :D :D

[OakLeaf]

Well I owe you Urlea and Indigoiis.

I couldn't not wish you luck on your races... and after posting here yesterday, I couldn't not run. :p I was almost going to blow it off. But I got out for five anyway.

Still struggling with lack of motivation (I did accidentally post Monday's interval workout to last week's thread, so no, yesterday was not my first run this week) but I WILL run tomorrow and I WILL do a loop, for the first time ever from this house.

Looking forward to your race reports! Hope you're both basking in the glow right now! :D




had to add this:
DH just picked up my foam roller and made as though he was going to hit me with it (just playing around). I said, "Go ahead and whack me, it'll hurt less than rolling out my IT bands!" :p

[michelem]

Just looked up your results and WAY TO GO URLEA!!! :D

[Jolt]

had to add this:
DH just picked up my foam roller and made as though he was going to hit me with it (just playing around). I said, "Go ahead and whack me, it'll hurt less than rolling out my IT bands!" :p

Good one...that reminds me, I need to be rolling out my quads. As for my run today, it was more walk than run. Why can't I maintain decent form for more than a few minutes? Frustrating.

[Urlea]

Hey Ladies!!

This isn't my RR, but I figured I would at least let you know I finished ALL 26.2 miles yesterday!!!! WOOHOO! :D

My total time ended up being 4:38:36 or a 10:38 pace. Which I'm pretty pleased with. I was hoping for a 4:30 time as my #1 goal, but I finished below my #2 goal of 4:45 and didn't need to worry about #3 goal of at least below 5:00.

It was a good hard race. My quads unexpectedly started to give out at mile 11, but I was able to stay with my 4:30 pace group until mile 18. After that I slowed a little & after mile 22-23ish when it had started to rain & the wind kicked up a bit I had to run/walk.

Still sprinted at the finish which I thought completely impossible towards the end there.

Anyway, more details to come w/ pics! Thanks for the well wishes. Excited to hear about your races this wknd too!

[OakLeaf]

Way to go Urlea!!!!!!

[yellow]

Way to go Urlea! http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/respect-059.GIF

[spindizzy]

Nice work Urlea! Even better that you met one of your goals.
What was the weather like?

I did a 5k last evening. It is marathon weekend in Mississauga :) - they run 5 and 10k the evening before the half and full marathon today. I went and made some noise for a couple of hours this morning.

I've had some challenges in calibrating my Polar - perhaps my local high school track is not a true 400m. My polar reads less than 400m when I complete the full track loop. Yesterday, when I ran, my watch said I did 5.3 k. I'll have to figure this out. Anyway- the 4 goals I had were:

1) finish under 25 min
2) 4:40-4:50 pace
3) Bump up the pace to 4:30-4:40 the last km.
4) to be fearless

Chip time was 24:32.5. Pace (official) was 4:56. Polar said 4:42. argh! I totally zoned out the last k - I don't even remember looking at my watch. AHR for race was 176 (my anaerobic threshold is 180). Finished 1st in my age group and was 19/734 for gender. I won't complain.
My legs could have gone on forever - they felt great. My cardio held me back. Perhaps I could have run a bit faster - I started off the first k at 4:02- but because of my "plan" - slowed it down. So perhaps I was not as "fearless" as I could have been. There seems to be a fine balance.

First du on the 18th. Yikes!

[Susan Otcenas]

Anyway, more details to come w/ pics! Thanks for the well wishes. Excited to hear about your races this wknd too!

Congratulations, Urlea! Looking forward to the "full report".

[Susan Otcenas]

I just posted a race report in the race results sub-forum for the triathlon I did yesterday. It was a great day. And, I took almost 9 minutes off my RUN time! WooHoo! All those early morning runs have paid off. :)

[michelem]

Congrats to all you racers! :D

Went for a 7 miler this morning on my local neighborhood trail. I love that all the wildflowers are in bloom . . . saw some cute bunnies too.

HOWEVER, I have decided against next weekend's 10k race. Two reasons, the number one being that running is just too much of a struggle for me right now that I am focusing on strength training. I've become ridiculously slow and know I'd be disappointed in myself if I tried to race. So, to keep the joy in my running, for now I am going to stick my once every one-to-two weeks easy shorter runs like the one I did this morning. I plan to "officially" finish my strength-training program in late July, just in time to start marathon training for December's CIM. I'm FINALLY realizing that I just can't do both without wearing my body ragged. Don't get me wrong: I'll continue to do strength building stuff, but at a much lower intensity -- just enough to maintain my gains rather than focusing on building up.

Anyway, enough of that. I'm off to read your race reports. :D

[indigoiis]

It was a good 8K. I did it in 45:03 so a 9 something minute mile. I came in 3rd /7 for my age group (it was a small race) and sprinted the last quarter mile. I did find myself getting stuffed up in the back of my throat which was probably milk from the cereal I ate a few hours before. I won't do that again. There were about 150 runners and it started out grey and misty and 50 degrees - coastal with some winds. Then the sun came out for a bit and it warmed up.
One thing I realized - I can't wear any clothes when I run. I just wanted to strip down to nothing. I was so freaking hot! I had on a thin long sleeved jersey with a lightweight T on top, and thin running shorts. I wanted to take it all off! Crazy!
I need to run naked.
If it wasn't against the law, I would.

[OakLeaf]

Congrats Susan, Spindizzy, Indigo (and Urlea, again)! Great job all of you!

I finally did the loop from home that I've been so scared of and it was fine. 8.35 miles with 800 feet of climbing at a 10:35 pace. It was just so beautiful up on the ridge, it was a perfect day for running, 63 degrees, dry and sunny, and I could see for miles. :) I brought some plain rice syrup in a gel flask, which isn't the most wonderful tasting thing in the world, but it seemed to do the job. Maybe I might doctor some with natural fruit flavors or lemon juice in the future.

Now that I'm over the hurdle of doing the shortest possible loop I can do from here, I'm studying maps - there's actually quite a variety of loops I can do to incrementally increase mileage without having to double back.

Indigo... I'd need a sports bra. Which would look pretty funny if the rest of me was naked. But other than that, I hear ya. Almost warm enough for nekkid gardening (which has a pretty short season before the mosquitoes and flies come out)! :cool:

[kacie tri-ing]

Yeah Urlea!!! I can't WAIT to hear about it! That is a wonderful time and really something to be proud of. I am sure you learned a TON while you were out there, and it sounds like you had a blast! :D:D Congrats!

[SJCzar]

Great job everyone !!!

I find all your race stories so encouraging. Keeping track of everyone else's progress helps make me stick to it. The thought of doing a marathon was always so completely not something I would have ever considered before but now perhaps .... I guess I'd better get through next week's half-marathon first. Sat. was my last long run (11 1/2 miles) before next week's event and I really enjoyed it - even with the light rain showers. I feel ready and really excited about the race. With the light running schedule this week I'll also get more time to bike - yippee.