OK, it's seriously time for a new runniing thread!!

[Jolt]

So I'll start it this time. I just went for a short run in the neighborhood today. Wore my huaraches this time--anyone else tried these? They take a little getting used to but are pretty good.

ETA: Just noticed I made a typo in the thread title--whoops!!

[Grog]

Well there's running and then there's runniing, and a few of us are running serious miles, so I think 'runniing' applies!

So here I am, I survived to tell the tale. I was very grateful to see Shootingstar on her bike ride (really from the corner of my eye for a few seconds, merely a glimpse) as it kept my brain busy for a bit (that was around my 10th kilometer, heading onto a big hill). Later, a friend of mine - what a friend! - joined me for the last 10K. I was very, very grateful for that, as it gave me something to look forward to and sort of broke the run into two chunks.

I enforced 10 minutes running - 1 minute walking for the first three hours, but when my friends joined me we walked more to accommodate her, but really it was also accommodating me too. Eventually she was not feeling all that good so she sent me ahead. I would run for 5 minutes and walk back for a minute or so to meet with her.

Despite all that walking at the end, I did finish 38 km in 4h17m, so I am pretty confident that I can complete the full marathon in around 4h30m if I keep the pace steady and the course doesn't turn out to be too too hilly. Uphill is fine, downhill kills me.

And now the feet: well they are sore, no doubt about that, but they started hurting only at about 20 km (instead of 10 km previously) and it's only sore arches, not the weird side pain I had the other day. I think what's happening is that I change my stride to accommodate my sore arches and that's when I hurt my left foot. Today it's mostly fine. I'm also happy I had some foresight and scheduled a massage for tomorrow. I had a cold-hot shower (alternating) and will sit in a cold bath tonight for a few minutes. (UGH.)

So from now on it's all downhill! I'm pretty excited about the taper and I look forward to the race, in three weeks. I can't believe I just ran 38 km. (And I have an even harder time believing that some of you do that all the time. Hats off to you! You amaze me.)

My friend was patient enough for me to have a quick shower and meet her at a local brunch spot for fabulous french toast with berry/port compote and lots of maple syrup. She even let me have her potatoes. That's truly a friend. Now I'm off to nap, and then I have some Ikea furniture to build.....! I'll be on my knees, not my feet, thankfully.

Thank you all for the encouragement!

[Becky]

I ran my first trail 5k yesterday. It was so awesome! That course was awfully tough, and I walked more than I expected to, but I still finished under 37 minutes and had enough juice left for a kick to the finish line.

I know that I went too fast at the beginning. The route entered some singletrack pretty quickly, and it was hard to hold back when there were people right behind me. Otherwise, I think I did ok with pacing.

I can't wait to do it again next year!

[Bike Chick]

Wow, Grog! Sounds like you are ready. Good luck on your marathon. I hope the taper will give your feet time to heal before the big day.

I got a 12 miler in today and start my taper tomorrow. I got rained out yesterday and dodged the raindrops this morning but got it done. It was a huge confidence builder going into the half-marathon next week. I felt stronger with every mile and hope I feel the same way on Saturday. Now its time to put my feet up. Mine are sore too, Grog.

[Grog]

Congrats on your race, Becky! Sounds like fun. I'd like to do more trail running.

Bike Chick, good luck on your race. It sure sounds like you're ready too!! Enjoy the rest.

[limewave]

Great running everyone!

I did 12 miles today too. Last long run before the 25k. The first 6-7 miles weren't bad, but the next 5 were into a 20 mph headwind. I'm surprised I managed to keep moving forward. It was supposed to be a progressive run, but with that wind, I'm just glad I survived. Two weeks to taper before the race :)

[zoom-zoom]

I ran a 5k PR today...first leg of a duathlon. Then my 2nd 5k (after a 30k bike in high winds and pouring rain--first ride ever in the rain and first duathlon) was my 3rd fastest 5k. I placed 5/9 in my age group, which has me pretty tickled. 4th place finisher was only 4 minutes ahead of me and I have 20#s to lose and more biking skills to hone before next year.

I haven't raced the 5k distance in almost 2 years and last time was 99% humidity and warm. My asthmatic lungs rebelled. I may have to find another 5k race soon to see what I can do when I don't have nearly 2 more hours of racing to follow. :D

[Jolt]

I must be a little crazy...just got back from my SECOND run of the day! I had a random urge to go for a run in the dark, so I did. Only for a little over 20 minutes, but still not bad for having already run today. Not sure what got into me but it was fun (and I didn't trip on anything or crash into anything).

[zoom-zoom]

So from now on it's all downhill! I'm pretty excited about the taper and I look forward to the race, in three weeks. I can't believe I just ran 38 km.

Wow, that's a really good last long run! You're going to rock race day! Enjoy your taper, too, but don't make the big mistake I always have--don't keep eating like you are running mega miles. I always gained 3-4#s during taper because I was so accustomed to eating a ton. I didn't NEED the food, I wanted the food. :o

[colby]

Way to go, Grog! Make sure to run that extra 4km at the beginning of your marathon, not the end ;)

[colby]

Way to go, zoom-zoom! Running in that weather isn't so bad, until you hit the headwind. :p

Riding in the rain seems to be one of those things you get used to in time. I remember the first time I raced in the rain, I was very very cautious. Since then I've learned a little more where to be cautious and where it's okay to give a little, but I am still very very careful around corners - tri shorts don't make for much between my skin and the ground. ;)

[zoom-zoom]

Way to go, zoom-zoom! Running in that weather isn't so bad, until you hit the headwind. :p

You ain't kiddin'! Plus I couldn't see anything due to the rain blowing in my eyes. That was yucky.

Thanks. :)

[colby]

I did a sort-of Olympic distance race simulation today, all in the gym. Bleh. The swim was okay, I am behind on my swimming miles but I felt surprisingly good, I know which drills I need to do next. The pool was 84 degrees (my heart monitor says 82-84). Too warm for a hard swim.

The bike was blah also, when I bike in the gym I go based on time more than what the machine says for distance, so it's all an estimate. Then we got to the run, and I used the treadmill for convenience (didn't have my GPS on me), so I was kind of grumpy. Did a lot more walking than I usually actually do in a race. So, basically it was just a dry run of "doing the 3 things you do in a triathlon in the same order but not really anything like a race" ;)

I looked at the Wii (I weigh myself weekly using Wii Fit) and I am down 10 lbs from last April. Not as far as I hoped to be, but I will take it. 2 of those are in the last 2 weeks when I was very good about eating all my calories spread out through the day, going no more than 2-3 hours between eating at least 200 calories. I think I've got it worked out for my work week, it's at home where I get in trouble and get behind in calories. If I stay right on my calories, I lose weight. This is my mission for the next 2 months: eat all my calories rationed throughout the day. I actually find it harder to eat larger meals now and I've only been doing it for a week. :p If we eat lunch out, I divide my lunch or eat a smaller lunch and get something to-go to eat later.

The body, she is a complicated machine.

[Grog]

Colby, you made me laugh out loud. I'll remember that one comes race day. :D

Good job Zoom-Zoom on the PR!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, great runs everyone!

Grog, super pace over the distance. You are totally ready! Isn't there a posted course for the marathon so you can know how hilly it's going to be? (Not that this is the time you want to be finding out for the first time, maybe. :p)

Becky, way to go on your race, sounds like great fun.

Zoom-zoom, you totally rocked your race! Way cool running so fast and keeping your wits about you on the wet bike leg.

Lime, it's amazing how much the wind can slow you down on foot ... good show pressing through it. You're going to pwn that half!

Colby, 10 lbs in a year is nothing to sneeze at. Way to go on your race simulation. I don't think there's any way I could do that in the gym.

Even long distances outside are a struggle for me when it's boring. As sore as I was after last week's 15 miles, my head was all "it's so much easier when it's not BORING!" :p I think that's really the main reason why I was so much quicker than I'd been running in the flatlands. That, and the new shoes, which for some reason are just fast. They don't make it any less effort, so I'm not any faster on maximum speed, but at tempo and long-run pace, for any given form, they just run faster than my old shoes. :confused:

So I guess there's my decision... hills today, soon as the rain lets up a bit. :)

[skhill]

Since I'm not training for anything in particular, the rain and wind around here of late has had me cutting short my runs. Yesterday, it was a damp (but fast) 3 miles. Today, a very windy 2.5-- and somehow I found it harder to run with a 20 mph tailwind than headwind. Go figure.

Without any big race coming up, I'm finding it hard to keep up my milage. Still running almost every day (it's become just part of my daily routine now) but it's easy to turn a planned 6 miles into 3, or 10 into 7, depending on weather or mood or whatever. The soonest I might be doing anything longer than a 10k is September-- I'm thinking of running the Air Force marathon (or half) up in Dayton.

But my garden is loving the wet weather. Just 5 or 6 weeks until homegrown borscht! And the first tomatoes are going in just as soon as it's dry enough to dig...

[OakLeaf]

somehow I found it harder to run with a 20 mph tailwind than headwind. Go figure.

I actually have the same experience, for two reasons that I can feel. #1 is cooling. I feel MUCH hotter running with the wind at my back than with the greater air movement from running into the wind. #2 is what I call "ram air induction." ;) It's just plain easier to breathe when the wind is pushing fresh air into my mouth and nose.

But my speed definitely suffers into the wind - it's super apparent when I'm running intervals or mile repeats back and forth over the same stretch.

[kacie tri-ing]

Hey! I am way behind posting! Great runs everyone. Colby--I feel you!

I am tri training like crazy, and running plenty. On wednesdays, I am running 8miles that has 20 minutes of tempo work (8:15) at the end. On Sunday, I ran 9 with 3 miles of tempo work. It should have been 7:45, which I am ready to run, but brilliant one here picked a really hilly course to do my speed work on (dumb) AND it was insanely windy every time I went downhill AND it was hot AND my stomach hurt. So I managed that 3 miles at 8:05 and fell into a pile of tears when I got back. I don't even know WHY ;) Just kindof fell apart a little. Clearly, I got a workout in though!

Last weekend, I did my first brick! 36 miles on the bike in 2 hours followed by 6.75 miles running in 60 minutes. Totally happy with the progress I'm making.

Honestly, really hard training is exhuasting! Ironman is in 4 months from this weekend!

[GLC1968]

I love this thread. You guys always make me feel like running and for this non-runner, that's really saying something!

So I did run this weekend - twice, actually.

On Saturday I was scheduled to do a brick, but after a FULL day of garden/farm work, I really didn't have the energy. I knew the run was the more important part, so I did that. I left my house with nothing but a watch (no GPS, no HRM) and just ran. I know how far 3.1 miles is in one direction, so I went that way. I did the full 5K in 36 minutes without too much effort, so I'm pleased. Not fast, but pleased. ;)

Yesterday we had biking on the schedule. We wanted 40+ miles with some climbing and since neither of us felt like mapping out anything new, we combined our 17 mile short route with a nice climb with our rolling 25 mile route. When we got home, I immedately threw on my running shoes and went for a run to get the brick done. I only did a mile, but I was really, really surprized at how fine my legs felt. No lead at all....odd. I will say that running in bibs SUCKS. I won't make that mistake again! :rolleyes:

Afterward, on the way to the grocery store, I saw a guy running in VFF's in the next town. First time I've seen that out in our neck of the woods (the country).

[Veronica]

I got in a quick run on saturday before we left to work our rest stop for the Devil Mountain Double. It was a good run - 3 miles.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

So instead of clearing up as it looked like it would do, the rain socked in all day, it was really windy and chilly, and I just couldn't motivate to run long. Stayed warm and dry, did a yoga class I had on tape, MUST run long tomorrow. :o

[WindingRoad]

I did my longest long run today, a little over 12 miles. I'm going to start tapering from here on out till the HM in 2 weeks. Is this a good time to try some speed work intervals?

[Grog]

Thanks Oak, that's really nice to read.

Well here is the map of the course, with elevation chart at the bottom:
http://www.capitalcitymarathon.org/Capital%20City%20Marathon%20Map.pdf

I can read it but I have a hard time translating it into my regular running courses, among other reasons because it's in miles and I'd have to sit down and really ponder it for a few minutes. Although some bits look steep, I think generally it's a gradual, mostly uphill slope. I'm accustomed to going up over 200 feet in a mile and not finding it that bad, so I think I'll survive this. Living on Vancouver, it's a challenge to find a flat place to run.

[Grog]

I did my longest long run today, a little over 12 miles. I'm going to start tapering from here on out till the HM in 2 weeks. Is this a good time to try some speed work intervals?

No. Gentle strides at a slightly faster leg-turnover rate than usual, at most!

Enjoy the taper!

[limewave]

Intervals for me today.
1 mile wu
6 x 800's @ 9 min/mile
400 recovery b/w
1 mile cool down

I felt really good today! One more tempo run on Friday. A 7 miler over the weekend. And two short 3 miler's before the 25k.

:D

[Jolt]

I did something a little different on my run today--started out with about 25 minutes of my normal (rather slow) trail running, then did 7 or 8 short sprints (I don't think they were even 100 yards) with walking in between on an open section of trail that runs alongside power lines, then ran normally back to my starting area. Altogether, I was out for about 45 minutes and felt pretty good other than the expected huffing and puffing from the sprints :). Maybe I'll work in some intervals a couple of times a week and see if it makes a difference in my "cruising" speed.

[yellow]

Wow, you all are in the thick of running season, sounds like! I'm still just walking, walking, walking...my gawd it's slow and it takes for freakin' ever to go 6 miles. I've been throwing in some pushups on the edge of benches along one of my routes about every other day, so that helps add in some variety. And of course the hour plus of PT every day. Patience. :rolleyes:

Run some for me, y'all!

[OakLeaf]

Yellow, hang in there. Sounds like it's coming back to you little by little ... before you know it you'll be stronger than ever (:eek:!) and pain free.

Today was just a perfect day for running and I don't regret blowing off yesterday. 20 miles, somewhere between 1400 and 1700 feet of elevation gain, @11:23. I was still picking my feet up by the end of it. Partly I think it's the same as with cycling, you're using different muscles to climb and descend rather than the same ones over and over again in the flats, but mostly I think it's just mental. It's so beautiful here, running is the complete opposite of boring.

I had a moment today like the one I had in the fifth grade when it dawned on me that I was one of the big kids. I had to go back and look up this post (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=381089&postcount=18) just to check the date on it. Good grief, it wasn't even a year and a half ago I thought I had no interest in anything over 10K. :o

I'm ready. Taper starts now.

[Crankin]

I got up at 5 AM and did 30 minutes on the TM, as my colleagues were taking all of us interns out for breakfast and I am trying to keep my weight down before my trip.
I didn't go quite as slowly as my outside run on Sunday, but varied between an 11:30 and 10:30 mile, with 2 minutes of walking in the middle. So, still a bit slower than my top pace last summer, but my goal is only to sweat.
I'm having a few little ouchy things, but the normal ones for me when I start running; groin, my bunion (it's better with the new shoes I bought last summer). My hip was fine after Sunday, but is achy today. I took an "ice shower" after the run and have been using the otc version of Biofreeze, which really works for me. I just didn't have time to do major stretching this morning, but I did do some. Supposed to do a 43 mile ride tomorrow, but the weather looks iffy. I am not sure if I can run 2 days in a row, though.

[WindingRoad]

OK this is a little embarrassing but I HAVE to ask. So I did a 5 miler in the rain, wind and a floppy cotton T shirt last Friday and it seems it has irritated the nips?!?! Only today are things looking and feeling less irritated. Gawd, has anyone has this issue :o

[Bike Chick]

Good grief, it wasn't even a year and a half ago I thought I had no interest in anything over 10K. :o

Funny you should say that, Oak. A month ago I was telling myself that if I make it through this HM, I was never going to do anything longer than a 5K or maybe an occasional 10k. Then during my run Sunday I felt stronger with each mile and by the end I thought maybe I could do a marathon. I think it was the euphoria from the endorphins but now I realize it's possible. You are proof!

I'm in my taper week. 4 miles tonight with the HM on Saturday. Woot! Woot!

[TsPoet]

I've come to love reading these threads, but never posted.
I started "training" for a 5k to keep up with a whole bunch of 3rd-5th grade girls
http://www.girlsontherun.org/
My part in the program was supposed to be as a "professional" woman mentoring these girls in that aspect - running didn't come into it. But, I thought if they could learn to run 3.1 mi, so could I!
I'm slow and my max distance is a 3.2 mi trail loop that includes some pretty hefty elevation change (I walk up the 0.25 mi hill that the motorcyclists use to challenge themselves, I've seen several fall over, and run the rest).
yesterday I didn't have time for a run, so I decided to run my 2 mile loop as fast as I could - my best time of 14:01 min miles (darn that 1 second!). I also learned a new interval training, I call it the doggie-go-back interval. My usual 15:30 min/mile pace my 10 year old stubby-legged dog can keep up, faster and he can't. So, 4 times during the run I doubled back and let myself slow down a bit until I found him, then turned around again. This added just over 0.3 miles for a total of 2.35 mile run.
Good day, and I think the doggie-go-back intervals are going to work for all, I was afraid I'd have to leave him at home when running farther/faster, and he'd hate that.

[Crankin]

I ended up not going for the 43 mile ride, as it was 32 when I woke up and rain was threatening. It was 40, wind chill of 35 at 10:00, when I should have been leaving. I decided to finish my last paper of the year. Was about to go out for a run, when my son called and we made a lunch date, so I got on the treadmill and did a short 20 minute interval program, at progressive inclines of 1-4%. There was a bit more walking than I would have liked at the level I was at, but, frankly, running at 9:55 for even one minute at a 4% grade was hard. When I run up hills outside, I slow way down.
Then I did 5 minutes of planks, sit ups, and groin stretches. Better than nothing.

[Susan Otcenas]

OK this is a little embarrassing but I HAVE to ask. So I did a 5 miler in the rain, wind and a floppy cotton T shirt last Friday and it seems it has irritated the nips?!?! Only today are things looking and feeling less irritated. Gawd, has anyone has this issue :o


Chafing is caused by two things rubbing against each other. Are you running without a bra? The combo of the cotton & rain could definitely cause irritation on sensitive tissue. If you're running in a bra, could be the wet combined with a bra that might be a little too big for you?

The farther I run, the more often I have chafing issues. I've had a few vicious chafing incidents recently, mostly as a result of how my heart rate monitor interracts with my different bras. :( After resisting resorting to Bodyglide for a loooong time, I finally broke down and got some. (We sell it, so it's not like it was that hard to get some. ;) ) It's made a huge difference. The stuff really does work. Now, if only my chafing scars will fade away....

____

I ran 14 miles this morning, my second time at that distance. 11 minute miles solidly in my Zone 2 heartrate. Last mile I was definitely getting fatigued, but considering that I raced not one, not two, but THREE time trials this past weekend, I feel pretty good about how my legs performed and that my HR stayed low.

[Skierchickie]

I haven't been running much this season, but was slowly working my way up from, oh, 1.5 miles to 5 miles for a couple of weeks, and then lost interest for a week or so. My longer runs were actually run/walks with DH, who has weird heart-related issues after having a Maze procedure in December to fix his atrial fibrillation. Anyhow, last weekend a friend was up here for a class, and she talked me into running with her Saturday evening. We ran singletrack for an hour and a half. The ankle I broke last summer felt fine while running, but after we finished it nearly rolled while walking. And again later, on the stairs. It was a little swollen and hurt a little. So running might not be a big thing for me this season (I'd rather be biking anyway). Methinks and hour and a half of singletrack might have been too much. At least I established my limit, right? :o

[Becky]

I did a little over 4 miles at a local state park yesterday. My car was the only one in the parking lot, and it was so quiet! Loved it! Their trail map sucks though, so my initial plan to do 3-ish became 4-ish because I missed a turn. That's ok though...my goal is to comfortably do ~6 miles so that I can join some of the group trail runs around here. Best part: my IT band didn't squawk once (knocks wood)!!

I had a blast, my calves are torched, and I can't wait to do it again!

Any advice on how to spare the calves on steep hills?

[zoom-zoom]

I've come to love reading these threads, but never posted.
I started "training" for a 5k to keep up with a whole bunch of 3rd-5th grade girls
http://www.girlsontherun.org/

GOTR is fabulous! I have done 4 rounds of fundraising for our local chapter. It's so popular around here...I love to see that.

[zoom-zoom]

The farther I run, the more often I have chafing issues. I've had a few vicious chafing incidents recently, mostly as a result of how my heart rate monitor interracts with my different bras. :( After resisting resorting to Bodyglide for a loooong time, I finally broke down and got some. (We sell it, so it's not like it was that hard to get some. ;) ) It's made a huge difference. The stuff really does work. Now, if only my chafing scars will fade away....

I liked Body Glide until I started getting sticks that crumbled and broke off the base only 2/3 of the way through a stick. Once it breaks it's a PITA to use and I ended up throwing up $$ worth of product over the course of a year.

An ultra friend of mine swears by Sport Shield (http://www.2toms.com/products.html). I gave it a try and haven't looked back. I can make a bottle of that stuff last at least 2x as long as a stick of BG, for about the same price. The Blister Shield sock powder is fabulous, too. I use it for any runs of longer than about 2 hours.

[limewave]

GOTR is fabulous! I have done 4 rounds of fundraising for our local chapter. It's so popular around here...I love to see that.

DD and I watched dozens of little girls out training yesterday. It's an encouraging and inspiring program! I love it! I plan on volunteering when DD is old enough to participate.

I have some friends that have started a similar program for boys, Endurance Adventure (http://www.enduranceadventure.org/). That's a neat program too. DH and I plan on helping out with their event this spring.

[OakLeaf]

I just put a piece of masking tape over the battery door on my HRM, for the duration.

Apparently I'd scuffed the plastic a little bit the last time I replaced the battery, but that was in February, and it was never a problem until a long run on a hot day a couple of weeks ago when I must've been sweating enough to loosen my bra band. Ouch.

Tried filing the plastic down, tried lubes, settled on the tape. Stays on, slips without chafing against my skin (even the not-quite-healed area), will come off without too much residue whenever the battery goes.

Re: Body Glide, I apply it with fingers anyway, so if/when the stick breaks is really irrelevant. I find that J&J Friction Block works even better than Body Glide on my feet (and I'll use Compeed pads on one or two toes in addition, depending on the state of callus). Any more, I've been using pure shea butter as a chamois lube and Friction Block on my feet, so the Body Glide hasn't been seeing a lot of use.

[TsPoet]

I just put a piece of masking tape over the battery door on my HRM, for the duration.

Re: Body Glide, I apply it with fingers anyway, so if/when the stick breaks is really irrelevant. I find that J&J Friction Block works even better than Body Glide on my feet (and I'll use Compeed pads on one or two toes in addition, depending on the state of callus). Any more, I've been using pure shea butter as a chamois lube and Friction Block on my feet, so the Body Glide hasn't been seeing a lot of use.

I haven't had my coffee yet, and I'm reading through the latest posts quickly and... I thought your tape comment was related to the Body Glide comment and was thinking that tape on nipples would not be pleasant.
Going to get coffee now.

[OakLeaf]

:D:D Ouch! Although, I've never tried those stick-on nipple guards, doesn't seem like they'd be much different... :eek:

[GLC1968]

I haven't had my coffee yet, and I'm reading through the latest posts quickly and... I thought your tape comment was related to the Body Glide comment and was thinking that tape on nipples would not be pleasant.
Going to get coffee now.

I thought the same thing, ick!


I ran last night. I had an interval workout on the plan, so I did it on the treadmill by choice. I actually ran for over 30 minutes on the treadmill in our basement, facing a concrete wall with no music. Unreal.

Anyway, did 60 sec at 6.5 or 7.0 followed by 75 sec recovery (5.0). Repeat 10 times. I think I might have accidentally done 11. My heart/lungs were fine - my hipflexors and legs were exhausted by the last interval! I did push through though and I'm glad. I followed it with a 20 min weight workout (legs!), so I'm a tad destroyed today. Just in time to do my last timed 500y in the pool before the tri. :p Woohoo.

[skhill]

All you tri folks have got me thinking maybe it's time for me to learn a stroke other than the doggie-paddle...

Today's run was just short of 6 miles, at an 8:58 pace. I'm wondering if I either mapped it wrong, or something happened to my watch, because it sure didn't feel that fast. Or maybe the unplanned sprint when a little yippy dog started chasing me knocked some time off...

Don't know what it is, but it seems like I've been encountering a lot of loose dogs lately. We do have a leash law here, but it's widely ignored. Sometimes I stop and yell at them, sometimes I calmly walk by, sometimes (when it's a little teeny miniature dog my cat could easily beat up) I'll outrun them... Then I go home and give my own dog a belly rub, and thank him for never chasing anything other than squirrels.

[Jolt]

Yet another trail run today. About 3.5 miles, I think. Felt kind of slow today, maybe it was because it was such a windy day and not as cool as Tuesday (not that it was exactly a hot day either).

[Bike Chick]

No run today. I'm packing to leave in the morning for my first HM Saturday. Any last minute advice?

[Jolt]

No run today. I'm packing to leave in the morning for my first HM Saturday. Any last minute advice?

No real advice, just want to say good luck!!

[Susan Otcenas]

No run today. I'm packing to leave in the morning for my first HM Saturday. Any last minute advice?

Yes! Run YOUR race. Not the race of the faster people passing you. It's easy to get carried away (by adrenaline and the crowds around you) and go out too fast (been there done that) but you'll pay for that later in the race (been there done that too :o ).

And, most importantly ENJOY IT!!!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, good luck BikeChick! Have fun, I'm sure you'll do great! :D

[colby]

No run today. I'm packing to leave in the morning for my first HM Saturday. Any last minute advice?

Absolutely - have fun!! :D This is the run you've trained for, so go out there and do it. (This must be how nike got the just do it slogan :p)

I did my hard 30 minutes after 10 minutes warmup today. Today's also the last day of my week and I have had an emotionally exhausting couple of days at work so it was rough. :) Basically I warmed up, then ran hard until the point I felt like my form was falling apart at a speed I could sustain for 30 minutes. 10 minutes in I hit the lap button so I measured the last 20 to get average HR and whatnot. Then, jogged home. Funny how "jogging" after you run hard is different than "jogging" on a normal day. ;)

Sunday I will be racing the 12k, so it probably helps mentally that I had a hard run today. It's not a flat course so we'll see how it goes. I will try to do my long bike ride early early on Saturday and feed the muscles well so I am on fairly fresh legs. Unfortunately we're talking 3-4 hours of riding, so.... yeah. Fresh legs are kind of a dream. I just can't do my long ride tomorrow, so I'd have to do it Sunday after running if I don't do it Saturday. I'd really like to have the day before off to see how well I CAN do on fresh legs but I have to remind myself to think big picture. But, but, but... :)

[rocknrollgirl]

Yesterday I took a friend on her first trail run. She is an excellent runner and very much a crunchy outdoor girl. Why she has never traken to thr trails is still a mystery to me. Accessabilty is the most likely explanation.

Anyhoo....She loved it. After two mins of running she was just buzzing. It was really awesome to share that with her.

We did about 5 miles of rolling singletrack. I betcha she has a few sore muscles today. Even though she is training for a HM, she said she could feel all of her unworked stabilizers at the end.

It was very cool.

Good luck to all racers this weekend.

[Bike Chick]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm on my way and will give you a report when I return!

[WindingRoad]

I'm having a really crappy running week, thank gawd its about taper time anyhow. Problem is my allergies are beyond rediculous. I took a final yesterday and almost drowned in my own mucus :(. Doing my Neti Pot and having to use Afrin at night just to breath. Did a bike ride yesterday on tandem and thought that would be a good easy ride; ugh, we hit the worst winds EVER! It was one of those working your butt off rides just to hold 15 or 16 mph. I'm pretty sure all this wind is what's up with the allergies too. I'm actually looking forward to some rain this weekend, atleast I can breath them. Geez.

Four more finals to go.... then one half marathon.... then one 650 mile move. I'm not feeling overwhelmed, I'm not! I'm not!! I'm not!!!! I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

Bike Chick - Have fun at your HM, that is the most important thing! You will do great so enjoy yourself. Just about to go mail your shorts, hope I don't blow away in this wind (yes, riding my bike to PO). :D

[skhill]

Good luck, BikeChick! Just relax and enjoy it...

Today was a 3.5 mile tempo run, and I realized when I logged it that it was the first time in april on that route that used to be one of my favorites (but these days, it's a bit short). My April totals: 124.5 miles, at an average pace of 9:18/mile. My goal for May is to do speedwork of some sort at least once a week (that was also a goal for April, but somehow it didn't happen...)

Happy Kentucky Oaks day, everyone! (It's when the fillies run for the lillies, the day before the derby).

[Jolt]

Shorter run today, around the neighborhood (about 25 minutes). On today's run I decided to experiment and see if I could get through the whole run breathing only through my nose. Much to my surprise, I did it--and was no slower than usual. I guess I have just been in an experimenting mood lately when it comes to running.

[OakLeaf]

Just a short one for me too. I was already kind of tired from shoveling compost and wrestling the tiller around the garden, so I just did three miles. Would've been three and a half, but there was a heavy catalog and some other stuff in the mailbox, so I just walked back from there. ;)

I've been trying to breathe through my nose more too, but even at long run pace the condition of my sinuses makes it difficult. I'm definitely going to clean up my diet before the marathon, so I should be breathing better by then. :o Did you know that your sinuses produce lots of nitric oxide, which when you inhale it, enhances oxygen uptake and acts as a vasodilator? I've also been looking for some of those nasal strips, but I guess they're out of fashion, because I can't find any, any more. I know they always did help my breathing.

[Grog]

Thinking of you, Bike Chick!

[Jolt]

Did you know that your sinuses produce lots of nitric oxide, which when you inhale it, enhances oxygen uptake and acts as a vasodilator? I've also been looking for some of those nasal strips, but I guess they're out of fashion, because I can't find any, any more. I know they always did help my breathing.

I had read that--interesting. And when you think about it, breathing through your nose rather than your mouth just generally makes physiological sense even aside from the nitric oxide--the nose filters "stuff" out of the air whereas the mouth doesn't. Today's run didn't go as well as yesterday's, but I think it was because I ran a section of trail that I haven't done in a while that is harder than what I've been doing lately and because of the temperature (85 degrees, up from mostly the 60s lately).

[Bike Chick]

Well, I did it! I ran the HM today at the Illinois Marathon in Champaign. Had a great time doing it too. DH and a friend ran the full, our friend's son ran the half and his wife and daughter ran the 5K. Here's the best part. My son and his wife were registered to run the HM also. She had started a new job and hadn't trained past 7 miles. She and I ran together and finished a half minute apart. My son ran a 16 mile training run with my husband in March and today decided at 7 miles that he would just run the full marathon---without training for it!! Not the smartest thing he's ever done but he did it and finished. He is a 4th degree blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do and spent 15 months in Iraq with the army and said miles 15-19 were the toughest mental challenge he has ever had. He also added that he thought he'd come close to death 4 times (just joking). He never lost his sense of humor and crossed the finish line with a smile. I am proud of everyone. We all did great.

[OakLeaf]

Way to go BikeChick! And your whole family too, what fun!

Now enjoy your recovery. :D

[Grog]

Congrats to you, Bike Chick, and to your family and friends on completing your respective races... and even more!

[WindingRoad]

Awesome job Bike Chick! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time :)

So....I'm a week out from my HM and I'm sick. :( It's respiratory and I can't even begin to sleep unless I use Afrin at this point. I can't sleep 'well' even when I do, hence I'm up at 3:30 right now writing this :confused: I felt a little better yesterday and I even put in 3 miles. At this point I just want to stay limber for next weekend. I think even if I only run 2-3 miles each time I should be ok. Man my body always picks the worst times!

[Grog]

So....I'm a week out from my HM and I'm sick. :( It's respiratory and I can't even begin to sleep unless I use Afrin at this point. I can't sleep 'well' even when I do, hence I'm up at 3:30 right now writing this :confused: I felt a little better yesterday and I even put in 3 miles. At this point I just want to stay limber for next weekend. I think even if I only run 2-3 miles each time I should be ok. Man my body always picks the worst times!

This is not expert advice, but frankly in my opinion, a week away from a race you shouldn't be training anyway - you're not trying to improve at this stage. It's good under normal conditions to run, of course, but for this time I think you're much better off getting full rest than trying to run 2-3 miles. Maybe it's a good idea to go for a short, 3-mile run a couple days before your HM to remind your legs how to move, but even if you didn't you'll be fine on race day... as long as you've allowed yourself to heal.

Take it easy, rent a few good movies or grab a good book, get lots of sleep, and give your running shoes a break.

[zoom-zoom]

This is not expert advice, but frankly in my opinion, a week away from a race you shouldn't be training anyway - you're not trying to improve at this stage. It's good under normal conditions to run, of course, but for this time I think you're much better off getting full rest than trying to run 2-3 miles. Maybe it's a good idea to go for a short, 3-mile run a couple days before your HM to remind your legs how to move, but even if you didn't you'll be fine on race day... as long as you've allowed yourself to heal.

Take it easy, rent a few good movies or grab a good book, get lots of sleep, and give your running shoes a break.

What she said. As a friend told me a week or so before my first HM when I was stressing, "the hay is in the barn." Nothing you do now will make you better prepared for race day and if you're sick trying to push yourself could do more harm than good. I would shoot for 2-3 easy miles the day before the race to loosen-up, but don't feel obligated to do more runs until then if you are feeling ill.

[zoom-zoom]

Bike Chick, that is awesome! I'm glad you all had fun. A friend of mine was supposed to run that race as her first full marathon (she did the half last year). A couple of months ago she was sidelined with a stress fracture and was so bummed not to be able to run yesterday.

[OakLeaf]

Winding - feel better soon!

Here's what active.com (http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/Scare_tactics_to_prevent_you_from_exercising_while_ill.htm) has to say about it. I would add a couple of things:

They don't mention eating plenty of protein, but it seems to me that doing so will help your stop your body from metabolizing your muscles.

They also don't mention that hard exercise suppresses the immune system and slows down your recovery. BTDT in a serious way.

[WindingRoad]

Thanks everyone you all are great. :):):) I'm only going to go run if I really feel a lot better between now and Saturday. Sleep is my biggest priority right now. I did go back to bed this morning and slept a few more hours, thank God for that. My Dad recommended getting some Noni juice to help boost my immune system b/c it helps him a lot. I think I'll take my stuffy person up to Costco and check this Noni business out. Good news is I'm not running a fever and I only have one final exam tomorrow.:rolleyes:

[Jolt]

It is HOT here today!! About 90 degrees and rather humid. Needless to say, today's run wasn't so great. When it gets too hot too quickly, I always have a hard time until I have a chance to acclimate. Fortunately, I was able to jump in a lake after my run to cool off, and stayed in and swam for about twenty minutes. Felt good to swim somewhere other than a chlorinated indoor pool!!

[Grog]

It is HOT here today!! About 90 degrees and rather humid. Needless to say, today's run wasn't so great. When it gets too hot too quickly, I always have a hard time until I have a chance to acclimate. Fortunately, I was able to jump in a lake after my run to cool off, and stayed in and swam for about twenty minutes. Felt good to swim somewhere other than a chlorinated indoor pool!!

I hate running in hot weather, but that post-run dip sounds delicious.

[Bike Chick]

Thanks everyone you all are great. :):):) I'm only going to go run if I really feel a lot better between now and Saturday. Sleep is my biggest priority right now. I did go back to bed this morning and slept a few more hours, thank God for that. My Dad recommended getting some Noni juice to help boost my immune system b/c it helps him a lot. I think I'll take my stuffy person up to Costco and check this Noni business out. Good news is I'm not running a fever and I only have one final exam tomorrow.:rolleyes:

Winding, so sorry you are sick and like the others said, taking care of yourself is the important thing right now. Get plenty of rest and get well before next weekend.

I've returned home from Champaign and am planning my next HM. I guess I really am a runner after completing the half, even as slow as it was. I have a blister and a black nail on my left foot. I've learned a lot through this process, mostly about myself. Thanks everyone for your help and support.

[colby]

Way to go, Bike Chick!! :D Congratulations to you and your running family!

To everyone who is sick, recover well. My "feeling sick" rule is the old "above the neck, no more than 30 minutes and keep it easy - even walking; below the neck, just rest."

[colby]

Was waiting for my chip time to post before I got overly excited. My goal was to beat my 1:10 time from last year and head toward 1:05. I finished 12k (7.46mi) in .... 1:04:13. Tis an 8:36 mile. Not a flat course, either. I finished 2 years in a row around 1:10-1:12, then this year dropped to 1:04. Whew! I got stuck behind an ROTC crew (running 10 minute miles 4-people wide on a narrow street so few people could pass) that easily lost me 30-60 seconds, too. Not sure where the other 4 minutes are going to come from, but I'm hoping to get under an hour... someday. That's more like 7:45 miles (edited: I might be thinking of the 58 minute mark, which is where you get seeded to start even earlier - I think 1:00 is more like 8:00 miles). ;)

Jogged back to the start and missed my stroller friends, but caught up to my husband who was "racing" our coworker and his wife (she won - by about 5 minutes, then my husband, then the coworker).

Almost 50,000 people finished the race and it's a lot of walkers, which skews these numbers. Interestingly, the race is well over half female finishers since the 80s. It's usually a lot of families, too. Sometimes you see costumes - the best was a mom dressed up like supermom and her 4 or 5 year old son dressed up like superboy - both in capes. There was also a guy running in a speedo advertising for a girlfriend in Seattle on his back. ;) I did see about 5 people in Five Fingers other than my husband and myself, at least that I passed. There could have been more ahead of me. I answered a lot of questions.

Finish Time: 1:04:13
Overall Place: 4,164 out of 49,674 (8%)
Ran with a pace of 8:36 per mile
The average pace for 30-year-olds was 14:12
Placed 112th among 917 people the same age (12%)
Placed 70th among 824 people from Liberty Lake, WA (8%)
Placed 3,140th among 39,793 people from Washington (8%)
Placed 1st among 2 people with the same last name (:P)
Placed 1,036th among 29,854 females (3%)
Placed 32nd out of 583 among 30-year-old females (5%)
Placed 151st out of 2,885 people in your age group (5%)

[salsabike]

Hey, Colby, that's great! This was Bloomsday?

[Bike Chick]

Congrats on your race, Colby! Wow, 50,000 people? That's awesome. As was your time.

There were newlyweds running the marathon at Champaign; she in her veil and he in a bowtie. Cute. Another couple got engaged as they crossed the finish line. He tried to kneel down to propose and he couldn't do it (poor guy). He pulled the ring out of his pocket and put it on her finger. Can you imagine running for 26 miles with that in your pocket?

[colby]

Hey, Colby, that's great! This was Bloomsday?

Yep! It's a nice run. I like that it's longer than 5k, but not quite up to half marathon distance. Lets me exercise different thinking.

[colby]

Congrats on your race, Colby! Wow, 50,000 people? That's awesome. As was your time.

There were newlyweds running the marathon at Champaign; she in her veil and he in a bowtie. Cute. Another couple got engaged as they crossed the finish line. He tried to kneel down to propose and he couldn't do it (poor guy). He pulled the ring out of his pocket and put it on her finger. Can you imagine running for 26 miles with that in your pocket?

I saw a link a while back for the best costumes of the London Marathon - what some people run in is nuts.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-35-best-costumes-at-the-2010-london-marathon

[GLC1968]

bike chick and Colby - congrats to both of you! It sounds like you both had successful race weekends! :)


I ran on Saturday as part of my last brick before my first tri. It was actually pretty good. I pushed much harder than usual on the bike part (17 miles with 1 multi-mile climb) leading my husband the whole way and making a point to hammer when I could. My legs were definitely very tired on the run, but not nearly as 'muddy' feeling as the first time I tried this. I did the same 5k run route I normally use and ended up not having to dodge a single rain drop.

I will do one more run this week before the tri on Saturday. My plan is to do mostly swimming this week for exercise since it has the least impact on my body of the three disciplines and I want to be fresh on Saturday.

[Jolt]

Congratulations to everyone who raced this weekend. As for me, I wasn't planning a run today but got a severe case of "ants in the pants" around 5:30so did a short one around the neighborhood. Not as hot today, but still humid.

[OakLeaf]

Awesome Colby!

I did 10 today. Found some of those nasal strips at the drug store, so I was trying that out - I was able to inhale through my nose most of the run, actually exhaling was more of an issue.

Also ordered a pair of the new CW-X Ventilator warm weather tights. Thirteen days....

[Jolt]

I did 10 today. Found some of those nasal strips at the drug store, so I was trying that out - I was able to inhale through my nose most of the run, actually exhaling was more of an issue.


I have been finding that to be somewhat the case too. Much more resistance to blowing that "old" air out if you don't open your mouth.

[colby]

Finish Time: 1:04:13
Overall Place: 4,164 out of 49,674 (8%)
Ran with a pace of 8:36 per mile
The average pace for 30-year-olds was 14:12
Placed 112th among 917 people the same age (12%)
Placed 70th among 824 people from Liberty Lake, WA (8%)
Placed 3,140th among 39,793 people from Washington (8%)
Placed 1st among 2 people with the same last name (:P)
Placed 1,036th among 29,854 females (3%)
Placed 32nd out of 583 among 30-year-old females (5%)
Placed 151st out of 2,885 people in your age group (5%)

Splits:

Mile 1: 8:46.4
Mile 2-3: 17:11.9 - 8:35.95
Mile 4-5: 17:16.8 - 8:38.4
Mile 6: 8:46.7
Mile 7: 8:22.8
Mile 7.46: 03:48.9 - 8:17.6
Second loop: 2:24:14 (walked through the finish chute, jogged and caught up with my husband, and walked with him)

I could have pushed harder the first couple of miles, but I didn't warm up beforehand - it's a lot of standing around, which makes it hard to stay fresh (and it's not like I'm going to win the race). The mile 5 marker is at the top of a giant hill, averaging an 8:38 mile for those 2 miles is pretty respectable (it was probably a fast mile and a slow mile). Mile 6 was a recovery mile, and I thought I lost more time so I started pushing at mile 7, when I thought I was moving really slowly and I was actually moving faster. No wonder that mile hurt. ;)

Most frustrating is that my heart monitor was definitely freaking out after about mile 4. My average heart rate for some of those segments is 168, 174, 179, then it goes to 150 and 132. Not likely - no way could I average 150 going up a big hill. More likely is that it stayed around 179-185 the entire remainder of the race. I'm not sure if I need to tighten the strap, move it down my rib cage below my bra strap, or what. Didn't used to have this problem with the plastic strap, but then I had worse chafing and a lot more interference.

Oh, pictures: http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?eventid=62142&bib=4107 - if I had to choose a caption for the gallery, it would be "the many faces of Bloomsday". Between the "just keep running" face to the guy next to me with the grimace to then me walking with my husband, that about sums it up.

Meanwhile, back at this week... Today I ran 8 45-60s fairly steep hill repeats... awesome. I don't remember running this many hill repeats last year, but I think last year I also compromised more on them. This year I have been run the semi-steep hill for almost every set of repeats, even if it's harder than the alternatives.

[TsPoet]

Colby,
Great pacing.
thanks for the fun photos, too.

[limewave]

3 miles for me yesterday.
2 miles today.
2 more miles tomorrow.
2 rest days.
25k.

[Susan Otcenas]

8 miles yesterday morning. It was blustery and raining but not especially cold. I started out with a very light shell, but ended up taking it off about 5 miles in and finishing in just my lightweight wool baselayer.

Only 4 more days until the 1st tri of the year! Hoping to see big improvements over last year's run in the same event. I've worked really hard on my running this year and I'm hoping it has paid off.


Susan

[Jolt]

35-minute trail run today. Time to start remembering the bug spray--the gnats/blackflies are out (the ones that like to swarm around the eyes). One good thing about keeping one's mouth shut and breathing through the nose: eliminates the chance of said bugs flying down the throat!

[WindingRoad]

Today was my first day without cold meds in about a week now. I'm pretty stoked about that :) I plan to run a couple of miles tomorrow.

[Bike Chick]

Don't wear yourself out, Winding. I'm glad you are feeling better. Get some rest for the weekend!

Colby, awesome times! Thanks for sharing the pics.

Good luck Susan and limewave on your upcoming races!

I'm still resting from my race. The Achilles tendons are really sore but I'm anxious to get back out there.

[Catrin]

Today was my first day without cold meds in about a week now. I'm pretty stoked about that :) I plan to run a couple of miles tomorrow.

All right! Enjoy the beautiful weather tomorrow and don't over-do it!

[WindingRoad]

All right! Enjoy the beautiful weather tomorrow and don't over-do it!

Hey Catrin! I plan to go to our favorite park today, maybe I'll see you out. I'll be the one going really S-L-O-W:) The 'yard people' just showed up at my apartment and I need to study. I refuse to shut the windows so I'm going to make it all work for me at the park today. Oh darn, I'll have to be outside all day you say!?!?!? I'll try to manage.:D

[limewave]

Resting. Feels weird not running or biking today. I think I will do some yoga and go for a walk. I'm eating lots of veggies and drinking lots of water so I can be properly fueled and hydrated for Saturday :)

Last I heard the weather was calling for: Cold, rainy, windy, chance of snow . . .

[rocknrollgirl]

7.5 for me today before work. I left the house at 4:07 am:eek:. I have to be back in by 5:30 to make it to school on time. i did about a 9 mm pace.

I came face to face with a huge skunk at the end of my driveway:eek::eek:, suprised the hell out of both of us.

Now I am just a bit sleepy and hungry.

[skhill]

Rocknrollgirl, I'm glad you were only sleepy and hungry after meeting that skunk, not stinky too!!

This morning, I did 6.5 miles, including some exploring of an unfamiliar neighborhood. It was a beautiful morning for a run, 60 F with a little breeze. Thing is, I usually set out right around sunrise, so I never think to bring the sunglasses. But heading into the rising sun an hour later, I sure need them...

Thinking of doing our girl scout sponsored 5k this weekend, but there are about a half-dozen cool things going on around town this weekend to choose from.

[OakLeaf]

I did a two-mile warmup and then 4 x 400m strides at 5K pace. I had to go into town for a meeting, so I brought my running gear and ran on the adjacent MUP. There were only a couple of people there in the middle of a beautiful day.

Part of what I wanted to accomplish was trying out my new CW-X Ventilator tights. They're definitely cooler and lighter than the regular Stabilyx tights without compromising compression, but they were still too warm for right around 70°, in the sun, I thought. Which makes it pretty likely they'll be just right for next Sunday <fingerscrossed> :).

[Jolt]

45-minute trail run today, with very nice weather. It was a pretty good run except for the spill I took from tripping on a root. Fortunately I didn't get too banged up.

[colby]

Weather was a little cooler and some clouds this morning so I took the dog with me out on my run. 10-15 minute warm up, 9x2min repeats (approx 400m, give or take) at hard-nearing-maximum effort with walk inbetween, jog the rest of the way home. She was pretty beat up. Only stopped once to lie in the shade for a minute during a walk break, but she was showing how tired she was later at work by not bugging anyone in the office and choosing to snore instead. I admit, I was jealous. ;) I have had a tiring week at work and haven't been able to get to the pool all week. Fingers crossed that the weekend brings good weather and good times.

[Jolt]

Short neighborhood run today. Note to self: don't try to run right after waking up from a nap (that you took because of being up way too early in the morning). Doing so results in feeling as though somebody put lead weights in your shoes!!

[WindingRoad]

K girls I'm up at 3:30 gettin' ready for this half marathon business.:) I tell you what, it's been a rough week. Just finished my last final yesterday and all be damned if while I was walking over to get my packet did Aunt Flo not decide to kick in full blast. OMG. Murphy's Law right! Ah the joys of being a girl. Good news though is the nasty cold I had is gone and I can breath now, yay!

It's really cool here today, it's gonna be like 47-50 degrees for most of the race. The wind is about 15 - 16 MPH too, yuk! What happened to spring?!?! I have 18 thousand pieces of clothing laying on my bed trying to figure out what to wear. Oh there's also a chance of rain! :eek:

Well I need one more cup of coffee and I will be able to tackle this thing. :D I'll let you all know how it goes.;)

[OakLeaf]

Good luck Winding!

[Bike Chick]

Good luck, Winding!!! I know you will do well. Let's see, if you were drinking another cup of coffee when you added your post, you are probably standing at the port-a-potty about now:D:D:D

[skhill]

I thought today would be the day my streak of PRs in every race would come to an end-- I woke up stiff, after a week full of running and riding and digging in the garden. And the wind was really blowing, gusts up to 30mph. But... the streak is still going! It was a 5k, by my watch in 25:36, a minute less than last time out, and good enough for 2nd in my age group.

Now I'm waiting for the official results to be posted online, to see who it was who was 1st, and how far ahead she was. 'Cause after a 3rd and a 2nd, I'm getting the itch to actually take 1st.... and I know I could have gone a little faster...

For sure, it's inspiration to do some speedwork regularly! (intervals, here I come)


Have a great weekend, y'all!

[Bike Chick]

Good job, skyhill!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, great job skhill!

[Catrin]

Great job Skyhill!

Winding Road - looking forward to hearing how it went. I WAS going to tough it up and ride a part of my commuting route to work to see what it is like - but rolled over/went back to sleep when I saw the temps and wind. Perhaps tomorrow after church :)

[colby]

Great job, skhill!! Hoping your streak of PRs doesn't end ;)

Hoping things went well for you, winding road. Look forward to the report.

[WindingRoad]

Well I finished the whole HM running and in pretty good form. My time was 2:13:47 which was a whole 16 minutes better than my first HM last year. I'm pretty happy with my time. OMG was it a terrible weather day though! Cold, extreme wind but thankfully no rain. About 4,000 people out of 35,000 didn't even finish the race. I'm pretty sore and tired today. I tell you that freaking Indy racetrack KILLS me every time! It's at an angle so after 2.5 miles you are more than happy to get the heck off of it! It's cool getting to see the track but it is awful to run on, it's hard as concrete too. My boyfriend did great too, he doesn't think so but he barely had time to train and still ran and 1:42. What a little running freak! But I love him.:D We are resting up today and going to see my Mom and make her and my Dad lunch for Mother's Day today. Might even go for a toodle on the bikes with my parents after we eat. That would really help loosen up my tight and sore hips after yesterday! Happy Mother's Day to all the Momma's!:D:):D:)

[Bike Chick]

Good job, Winding! I know you have to be happy with that time. I was thinking about you yesterday. We took the bikes out for a 30 mile ride (felt wonderful by the way) and it was cold and blustery here too. I thought it might be the same for you.

I can't believe they start you off on the racetrack! The idea of running on the track is kinda cool but what a killer on your ankles! Where does the run end? (You be thankful it's at the start and not the end)

I'm thinking of signing up for Memphis in December. You interested? (It's a 4 hour longer drive for you)

[WindingRoad]

BC - The Mini starts in downtown Indy but you hit the race track at about mile 7 which honestly is just plain evil! You know if I wasn't going to be living in Philadelphia by December I would be interested in the Memphis HM. I'm thinking about a nice one in Philly somewhere. I'd like to do one with some hills. I train on hills in the local park which had made me much better at that than I anticipated. Helps when you already have bike thighs, there's a reason those shorts wouldn't fit.;)

[skhill]

Great job, Winding!!

I was thinking of coming up to Indy for the race, but a friend of mine who lived there for years scared me off with her tale of her passing out from the heat out on the race track one year... Running in cold and windy conditions is tough, but at least you didn't have to deal with the heat this year!

[OakLeaf]

Way to go Winding! If the wind in Indy anything like it was 200 miles east of you, YIKES. :eek::eek:

[colby]

Congrats, Winding! That's some serious improvement. Way to go. :D

For me, somewhere between 16 and 18 miles yesterday (GPS was measuring pace but decided to go on strike for distance) - switched up my ride and run because the weather was supposed to be better today. Probably a wise move. Yesterday was blustery on and off (would have been a cross wind too), raining on and off, hailing on and off, sunny on and off, thunder and lightning on and off, and wouldn't have been very nice on a bike. I feel pretty good today, ankles are a bit stiff (once again, the longest I've ran in the five fingers).

[OakLeaf]

Ten for me today - I didn't really mean to run it at marathon pace, but that's what my legs wanted to do. :p

It's late to be experimenting, but I'm still trying to sort out how to get a little protein during the run. This morning I made up a small batch of besan dhokla, non-dairy and very lightly seasoned, and I wrapped a couple of squares in wax paper and brought them with me.

So ... it's still a little more than I really like to chew and swallow, but it worked reasonably well. I knew my stomach would be okay with besan, since I'd been okay with falafel as an immediate pre-run meal in the past. Still have to make a final decision. Also I'm not completely sure how I want to carry my nutrition... my SpiBelt tends to bounce when it's overly full. I'm almost thinking about wearing my hydration vest, but without the bladder. Or, I've been eyeing those heavy duty SpiBelts, maybe I'll grab one at the expo...

however I work it out ... seven days from right now I'll be sporting that finisher's medal. :D Bring it on!