Running into Summer June 21-27

[skhill]

Time for a new thread again....

Due to an uncomfortably tight hamstring, my run turned into a brisk walk this morning. Oh well.

And it feels more like early August than June here in KY-- it's so bad I'm actually considering turning on the air conditioning. (I never did, last summer). Even running at dawn it's hot and humid....

[rocknrollgirl]

We are having the same weather here. I did 8 miles yesterday in 95% humidity and spent the remainder of the day with a "heat hangover". YUK.

[colby]

We're having quite the opposite experience in the northwest - it's been very mild and wet, more like April/May weather than May/June weather. Right now it's 52F and raining. I suppose there is one thing we share in that case - humidity. ;) We're supposed to get back to sun this week, though. I only have one or two runs planned and I look forward to them being DRY.

[Susan Otcenas]

Still no running for me. Looks like the run at the Pac Crest HIM will be my first run in nearly 4 weeks! This ought to be interesting....

[Veronica]

How's your foot doing?

I know the HIM is a big deal, (really I get it it! :D) but staying healthy is important too you know.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

How's your foot doing?

I know the HIM is a big deal, (really I get it it! :D) but staying healthy is important too you know.

Veronica

I think the break has been really good for it. It's no longer sore to the touch. And I have no pain when swimming or riding. I've decided NOT to give it a "test run" because I figure I really have nothing to gain from that at this point. So, I'm going to swim my heart out, bike my @ss off, then hope for the best on the run. I've decided I'm going to take the time to put on my Zoot compression socks for the run. They really help my calves stay fresher, which should help relieve stress on the tendons. They look goofy (and vainly, I think they make my legs look fat) but frankly, I don't care that much. I know I'll run better with them than without them. I'm aiming for 11 minute miles, but realize that may deteriorate to 12 if I have to run/walk if my foot hurts.

I also recognize that I'm risking greater injury by doing this event, and that if I were truly being prudent, I should probably pull out. But I have so much invested in this event (mentally, physically, emotionally), that I just can't make myself pull out. I expect there will be a price to pay, and I hope I suck it up and pay it without complaining.

[Veronica]

I'd do exactly what you're doing. :cool: Hopefully, all will be well.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

I also recognize that I'm risking greater injury by doing this event, and that if I were truly being prudent, I should probably pull out. But I have so much invested in this event (mentally, physically, emotionally), that I just can't make myself pull out. I expect there will be a price to pay, and I hope I suck it up and pay it without complaining.

This is the 'A' race this year, right? I would do exactly what you are doing. There will be time to heal the heel after the event.

If it makes you feel any better, I just made an appointment with a podiatrist for Friday. My foot pain is back. Apparently, 6 years off from running wasn't long enough. :mad:

[Susan Otcenas]

This is the 'A' race this year, right? I would do exactly what you are doing. There will be time to heal the heel after the event.

If it makes you feel any better, I just made an appointment with a podiatrist for Friday. My foot pain is back. Apparently, 6 years off from running wasn't long enough. :mad:

Yes, my A race.

I went to see my GP last week and got a priority referral to a PT who does sports medicine. Will see her on Thursday morning (with car already loaded for the afternoon trip to Pac Crest!). Also received a referral to podiatry.

I'm sorry to hear your foot pain is back. Maybe we should go aquarunning together. I can barely stand to do it alone - it's so dreadfully boring!!

[GLC1968]

Maybe we should go aquarunning together. I can barely stand to do it alone - it's so dreadfully boring!!

That's not a bad idea assuming that I will eventually be able to run again!

My only saving grace is that I can run barefoot pain free, so I'm not giving up yet. ;)

[colby]

I'd do exactly what you're doing. :cool: Hopefully, all will be well.

Ditto - also thinking awesome thoughts for a pain-free run. :)

[Veronica]

It's 89 degrees out and I just got done with my first run since the Auburn Tri on May 23. The first year I did Barb's Race it was 95 degrees out on my run. I of course had done all my training runs in the cool of the morning. Now I try to do a little running when it's hot. Luckily we don't get the humidity other parts of the country do.


I did a whole 2.16 miles. :rolleyes: There was no screaming from my knee, which was nice. It's not 100%, but it'll do for now. I have 6 weeks to work my way back.

Veronica

[Jolt]

2.5 miles on the trails, barefoot. However, it took 40 minutes as I was going slow in general and walked a few sections (uphill and/or crummy surfaces). Not so sure I can call this one a run...probably doesn't help that it's been over a month since my last completely barefoot trail run. Then not too much later, one of my roommates came home and said she was going for a run and I decided to join her for the planned 5-mile loop. Very bad idea. 2 miles in, I just wasn't feeling that great and ended up doing about a 1.6 mile "walk of shame" (well, I ran a little bit of it) home. Between the heat, the fact that I had already run, the fact that this was on the roads, and running with someone else, it just didn't go well! I'm kind of disgusted with my performance today.

[OakLeaf]

Ack, has it really been that long? :o Between mental fatigue, teaching too much at the gym, trying to get caught up with the garden, a little stomach whatever the last time I ran, plus an awful cold/bronchitis/ear infection that had me out of commission for most of last week ...

Anyway, finally got out for four today. I am so not acclimated to this heat.

[Susan Otcenas]

It's 89 degrees out and I just got done with my first run since the Auburn Tri on May 23. The first year I did Barb's Race it was 95 degrees out on my run. I of course had done all my training runs in the cool of the morning. Now I try to do a little running when it's hot. Luckily we don't get the humidity other parts of the country do.


I did a whole 2.16 miles. :rolleyes: There was no screaming from my knee, which was nice. It's not 100%, but it'll do for now. I have 6 weeks to work my way back.

Veronica

V - Good to hear your knee held up! Sounds like a good sign of healing.

Re: the heat. I had the same trouble at Pac Crest last year. It's 40-50 degrees in the morning when I run, most of the year. It was over 90 and exposed on the run at Pac Crest last year, and I really wilted the last 3 miles of the run. (also didn't fuel right, which didn't help either...) SO, acclimating to run in the heat is a very good idea!

This weekend is predicted to have a high of 78 in Sunriver on Saturday, so I imagine everyone will have MUCH better runs. Unfortunately, we've had an unseasonably cold and rainy spring/summer, so the water temps are *also* way down....

[katluvr]

Finally! I ran today (it's been like over a month)!
I ONLY did the 3.4 mile loop. And very slow, I did time myself but I refuse to post my time or figure out my pace. I just ran. The Florida summer heat just kills me for running. But I just need to do it and as slow as it takes. My 1/2 marathon is in Nov....so running long miles in Sept and Oct will be tough, those can be really hot months here. But I digress. I ran.

Oh and I saw a dolphin in feeding in one of the canals, I did stop a moment to enjoy. Otherwise I did not walk. Just trotted along slowly. Nothing hurts. Just hot.

So goal is to run again before next week! Stay to my short route and take it nice and easy.

K

[Red Rock]

Susan-May things go well for you between now and when you HIM. Hope your foot problems heal well afterwards.

I have not posted in a while...but my running is going slowly that is for sure. I am now up to 2.5 miles as of this AM. The run felt good and no major after effects which is nice. I guess I must be doing something right. I have kept my HR in the Endurance zone most of the time.

I have done enough track running now and my distances are enough that I am lusting after a Garmin 305. That way I can hit the trails, know what my HR is and my distances. Not only that but the bonus is I can use it on the bike too.

As far as long runs go, I have not really done much of any right now. A few threads back someone asked about adding distance. I have stayed with the 10% rule. When I have come to a distance that I feel like I'm having a hard time adjusting to, I have stayed there for a week or so before moving on. So if I tried a long run of 4 miles, is that going to push me to far? Should I aim for just adding one mile to my 2.5 that I am doing now? I think the Galloway book suggested a long run of 4 miles if you can run 2.5 "normally" Any ideas on this would help.

Slowly I will eventually get up there in mileage. I'm not pushing it at all. My only goal is to be able to run a 5k on trails in August. So I think I'm doing alright for pacing.

Red Rock

[colby]

Ran ~35 minutes today at gentle pace/heart rate. It was actually hard to run gentle pace, my brain wanted to run at The One True Heart Rate. ;)

Been treating my feet nicely and not wearing bare feet/sandals this week (socks and five fingers only) to keep them soft and avoid blisters between my toes or under my big toe. Had a massage yesterday and I felt great today, I turned down biking to work to try to preserve the effect.

Hanging in so far...

[rocknrollgirl]

Susan-May things go well for you between now and when you HIM. Hope your foot problems heal well afterwards.

I have not posted in a while...but my running is going slowly that is for sure. I am now up to 2.5 miles as of this AM. The run felt good and no major after effects which is nice. I guess I must be doing something right. I have kept my HR in the Endurance zone most of the time.

I have done enough track running now and my distances are enough that I am lusting after a Garmin 305. That way I can hit the trails, know what my HR is and my distances. Not only that but the bonus is I can use it on the bike too.

As far as long runs go, I have not really done much of any right now. A few threads back someone asked about adding distance. I have stayed with the 10% rule. When I have come to a distance that I feel like I'm having a hard time adjusting to, I have stayed there for a week or so before moving on. So if I tried a long run of 4 miles, is that going to push me to far? Should I aim for just adding one mile to my 2.5 that I am doing now? I think the Galloway book suggested a long run of 4 miles if you can run 2.5 "normally" Any ideas on this would help.

Slowly I will eventually get up there in mileage. I'm not pushing it at all. My only goal is to be able to run a 5k on trails in August. So I think I'm doing alright for pacing.

Red Rock

Hi Red,
I am very conservative about adding distance having been badly injured two years ago. I add on 1/2 mile to my long run each week, and 1/2 mile to my tempo run every few weeks. I hold for two weeks and add on. My long runs are comfortably up to 8 miles from 3. Slow and steady.
If you can run 2.5, a 5k would be doable now.

[skhill]

I'm coming to terms with the need to slow down my runs in this summer heat and humidity... but I don't like it. This morning was just 3.5 miles, at a 9:15 pace, and that included a couple walk breaks.

I'm in the habit of carrying water only on runs longer than an hour, but maybe in these conditions it'd be a good idea to carry some no matter how short the run. I sure could have used it today-- for some unknown reason, the water fountain I tried wasn't working, even though the fountain just yards away was flowing...

[Crankin]

I did my shadiest 3.5 mile loop this morning, at a pace just above a fast walk. I think my Garmin needs new batteries, so I didn't even bring it. It's amazing how I can just motor up the big hill when I do it slowly. It was only 70 degrees out, but 93% humidity when I left. Ugh. I do take water on all of my runs, because I get dehydrated very quickly. Today I realized I must look like a running Fred, with my Nathan pack, Road ID, and sometimes my huge Forerunner 101 on my wrist. Well, at least I am dressed OK :).
I wanted to go further, even if I was walking, but any other route would have been in the direct sun and I am glad I stopped when I did.

[Veronica]

I freeze water in gel flasks and carry some with me on all my runs through the summer. It's not a lot of water, but I can refill at a couple of parks. My tri shorts and tops have lots of pockets for flasks, keys, phone, gels...

I have a waist pack that I'll take if I HAVE to, but I really dislike carrying anything in my hands or wearing a pack.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

I never posted about last week, but I got in ALL three runs! One at 3.8 miles (my *long* run) and two more at 2.6 miles or so. All of them included some barefoot running and one was done on the treadmill.

This week I increase in mileage, so last night was 3 miles shod, 0.5 miles barefoot. Tomorrow will be the *long* run of the week at about 4.5 miles. I will keep at this distance for at least two weeks, maybe three. I'm also seeing a podiatrist on Friday for my foot pain (it's back), so this is all somewhat dependent on his recommendations, too.

I have a question though: Does it matter that I rarely pay any attention to pace? I mean, yes, I'd like to get faster, but I'd also like to go further...can I just run and trust that eventually my fitness will translate into better speeds (ie. better than 11 min/mile)? I do watch my HR and make sure I'm working at a good level for me (and not slacking off).

[OakLeaf]

How badly do you want to get faster?

Speedwork is the only thing that's ever made me faster, on the bike or on foot. My long run pace is considerably slower than it was when I was running shorter distances. I think one interval session a week would be plenty to see improvement, if you're consistent about it.

V, seriously, if you haven't tried the Nathan Intensity pack, give it a try. It rides SO much lighter than my waist pack and interferes with my body mechanics SO much less, that I prefer it even if I'm only carrying an hour's worth of water. I wouldn't even consider running in my Platypus packs or my DH's Camelbak - this is a completely different animal. As Yellow described it, it wears like a vest, not like a pack.

[Veronica]

I've been reluctant to try anything on back for fear it would make me hot. I sweat - a lot - which is why I do okay in our high heat, low humidity. Having something on my back would impede evaporation...

If I ever actually get to run for an hour again on a consistent basis, I'll look into them though. REI carries them.

Veronica

[Red Rock]

Rocknrollgirl-thanks for the input. I agree injury free is always much better. So instead of aiming for 4 miles I will just add .5 to my 2.5 and make a 3 instead. A few weeks down the line I will be at four and I will still be in good shape for my 5K race.

The good thing is I will have at least trained for it and, more or less, done it properly. The only thing I am lacking in the training is speedwork and hills. I have been trying to brainstorm where I can go that is fairly close to the house so I can get there quickly to run hills in the AM. There is a lot of asphalt and not a lot of dirt:( Probably the reason, or one of the reasons I have made it this far is because I have just stuck to the track or dirt.

Thanks for all of your help

[Red Rock]

V -I am in agreememnt with Oakleaf on the packs. I tried wasit packs and they were bouncy for me. Then I got the Nathan Intensity pack. When I first tried it, it felt great. Then for comparison purposes, I tried my camelbaks. The camelbaks are definately packs and not vests. The vest is much better and the side straps breathe well too.

[GLC1968]

How badly do you want to get faster?

Speedwork is the only thing that's ever made me faster, on the bike or on foot. My long run pace is considerably slower than it was when I was running shorter distances. I think one interval session a week would be plenty to see improvement, if you're consistent about it.



I would like to be faster, but I would like to be able to run further, injury-free, even more (at the moment). I'm thinking that I ramp up my mileage this summer to a good level and then work on getting faster for next tri season. Does that make sense? Maybe do some interval work over the winter? Keep in mind, that my cardio fitness is still improving daily as I push it both with running and swimming.

I know that when I started biking, I got faster as I biked more without really trying. I certainly never set out do to intervals or any specific training outside of building my distance/TITS.

I'm really trying not to over-think/over-analyze this...but it's pretty much a losing battle for me. I'm a thinker. :rolleyes:

[Crankin]

GLC, I'm about where you are at now, too. I really never did anything to improve my cycling speed, either. It just happened. I know if I start "training" it becomes a chore. I've always been more of an endurance vs. speed person, so I know to improve now, I have to do intervals. I have finally worked my way back to my cycling speed before I was sick 2 years ago, but I still have days where I am slow. I do intervals once a week on the bike, or try to keep up with DH on the flats and that helps.
All I know is that last year when I had to stop running for awhile, I was at a 10:00 or 9:45 pace and I'm still not back there, yet.

[GLC1968]

Oh, Crankin - you make a good point. I should also mention that unlike most of the runners/cyclists I know, I am not built for endurance. I'm muscular and I tend to be more of a sprinter. That's kind of why I am hopeful that if I just get the miles in, the speed will eventually come.

I'm also quite heavy for my size/height and always will be, so I know that will keep me from ever being a true speed demon over distance (which is fine with me).

[katluvr]

So we (my SO and I) set the alarm to get up before work and run. When the alarm went off I really didn't "spring" out of be and really comtemplating not getting up. But we did. We did about 3 miles, it was slower (SO's pace) w/ some walking. But I did walk/slow run agian today. Amazing how I "feel" yesterday's run. I am a but sore in my quads, hamstrings and glutes. Guess those mucles had really not had that workout in a while.

Got to gym for workout in AM, so no run tomorrow. Not sure about Friday but definitely Sat. AM

K

[rocknrollgirl]

Early morning run for us today, just 3.5 miles. Ran in it 29 mins. It is unbearable hot and humid here again today. Blech.

[Jolt]

Well, all the talk yesterday about speed work had me ready to do some intervals on yesterday's run since it was on an easier trail. The plan was to run 20 minutes out, turn around and alternate sprinting and walking on the way back. The first half of the run was going really well...until I snagged my right pinky toe (in VFFs; probably wouldn't have happened, or at least been as bad, if I were barefoot) on a root so that it got wrenched and jammed all at the same time. OUCH!! I checked it out and didn't see any evidence of a fracture or dislocation (just bruised and probably sprained), then stuck the foot in the river for a few minutes hoping to dull the pain a little (unfortunately the river wasn't cool enough to do that) before turning around and running/walking back. Needless to say, I didn't end up doing those sprints! It was actually a little easier to run than walk in terms of the pain, but I was constantly afraid I'd snag it again or stub it. It still hurts just as much today and is swollen and bruised--why did I have to be such a klutz? Hopefully it won't take too long to feel better.

[skhill]

Had my best run since I don't know when this morning-- 7.5 miles and it felt like I could have kept on going forever. Probably helps that the weather is seasonal at last, even if only for today! My route included the second half of next week's 10k, so I threw in a sprint for the last block before the finish line.

I saw a really sweet sight while I was out-- a dad out running with his daughter. She looked to be about 7 or 8, with bright red pigtails. They were chatting away as they trotted down the street.

[GLC1968]

Last night was my longest outdoors run EVER. 4.75 miles (don't laugh!) in just under an hour.

I ran right after work at the peak heat of the day. Figuring I'd be out there that long, I took my new Nathan triangular water bottle holder thingy (22 oz bottle). It worked great! It didn't bounce at all and was only slightly annoying on my waist in the front. It was actually less uncomfortable than my HR chest strap, so I can't complain at all. It made the heat SOOOO much more bearable to have water! The hardest part was getting used to the sloshing sound - I swear that hearing that was making me thirstier than the heat was!!

Oh, and no foot pain. Go figure - I've got my podiatrist appointment this afternoon and my foot no longer hurts. :confused:

[Veronica]

I finally gave up wearing a HRM. The strap just drove me crazy. I could never get it so it wasn't either too tight or falling down on a run. I never looked at it during a run to gauge my effort anyway, so why bother? It's kind of freeing - literally and figuratively. :D

Glad that your feet didn't hurt. It will be interesting to hear the doc's take on that.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Yay GLC! Glad your foot's feeling better - doctor or no doctor.

So here's my new normal: after being mildly sick and/or slacking off for the better part of six weeks, I can just pick up and go out for an easy 10, like I used to just pick up and go out for an easy three and a half.

Didn't take me all day to try and goad myself into it, either, which is good. :) Must be time to pick a new goal.

That tri next month is still niggling at me ... I still haven't so much as been in a pool in at least five years ...

[Crankin]

After sitting on my azz in class Fri. night, all day Saturday and Sunday, I came home and ran down to the end of my neighborhood and back, which is 2.2 miles. My back was killing me from sitting all weekend and I needed to just get out and move, before we went out for Chinese food. It was kind of cloudy and humid, but not too warm. I think I was running faster than usual down the steep hill because I felt it in my hamstring, but that went away.
Every older person in my neighborhood seemed to be out taking a walk. I got a lot of looks, since I was running in a bra top and running skirt. Two of them were pointing their fingers at me and talking loudly in Japanese. After I got back, we found these 2 women in our driveway, walking up and down, admiring our neighbor's garden. Very strange.

[Susan Otcenas]

Happy to report that I had NO HEEL PAIN for my half ironman on Saturday!!! What a relief! I put up a race report in the triathlon forum.

Susan

[limewave]

Finally got out for a run! It's been too long.
2 easy miles for me.

[colby]

26.2 in the five fingers.... will put up a report sometime today. ;) I don't think my feet hurt any more than they did last year - it is just a long day no matter how you slice it. I did do plenty of running in dirt/gravel where available, but I knew it would be long and my body was already tired and HOT. We haven't had many days over 70, let alone 80, so there was a lot of run/walking in my day, which always changes how the feet feel.

[OakLeaf]

Oh goody, another extra long week! :D

Sprint intervals x 9. Hadn't done any speedwork in forever, and I'm still not acclimated to the heat. I won't even say the temperature and humidity, since nothing starts a p*ssing contest on this board like "my weather is worse than your weather" or "my hills are worse than your hills."* ;) I'll just say that I'm totally not acclimated to it yet, we've really had very little opportunity to acclimate here, and when I was done with the workout (including a .8-mile recovery jog at a 12 minute pace), I took more than 15 minutes to meander back along my half-mile of lane, picking and eating raspberries, and my heart rate would not go below 135. That's how humid it felt.

I was thinking about doing this five-mile race a week from today. Not so sure about it now. :p



*but I'll just mention that without ANY prompting, one of the long-time riders in our club - a 72-year-old who last year did the Continental Divide, unsupported, with one other guy, and who's ridden road bikes extensively in both the Rockies and the Appalachians - said over breakfast that without question, the Appalachians are more difficult to ride. :cool:

[Veronica]

Awwww... Oak, I was having fun reading about everyone else's weather. Seriously, I was.

It was 70 degrees at 5 AM this morning when I worked out with my trainer. Does running 35 yards pulling a sled with 90 pounds on it count as running? :rolleyes: Once you get the darn thing moving, it's not so bad, but those first two or three steps are killer! Let's see... she also had me do some high knee running followed by some sprints.

I am not running outside today. It's 97 degrees, only 23% humidity, so the heat index is only 95! See, I had never paid attention to heat index before someone here brought it up. I learned something from people talking about their weather. :p

Veronica

[Jolt]

It was 90 degrees and humid here today...not good running weather at all. I was a bum and didn't run, though that is partly also because on yesterday's run I stubbed an already-banged-up toe (trying to do some faster running on the way back from the turnaround point) and made it a little sore to try running on today. Probably should stay off the trails until it is actually healed.

[kacie tri-ing]

Funny Oakleaf...and true....

So here in the ATL, it is HOT and HUMID....I have been running in it, and I am still suffering (or maybe it was that long swim yesterday!). Funny how tired shoulders can make a 6 mile run feel like it will never end!

I am running Peachtree on sunday, which should be fun! Drink water everyone (which I did not do much of today :o)

[Catrin]

Ran at my club yesterday for the first time in two weeks. A few sets of 1-legged squats had done a number on my quads and it took close to two weeks for the soreness to work out of my muscles...I don't get sore easily but when I do it takes some time to work it out.

Am not speedy, and can't go more than 1.5 laps without walking, but I kept repeating for about 40 minutes with the occasional bout of weights thrown in. Don't know if I will ever be able to graduate to running outside but it felt kind of good :)

[skhill]

Didn't feel like running this morning, but I dragged myself out the door and did it anyway. I'm glad I did; it was a relaxed 4.5 miles around the neighborhood. There was a pair of women out walking laps around the park, in the opposite direction from how I was running, and I passed them 5 times! (It's 1 mile around the park, and I was using that as part of a larger loop).

And I saw something odd-- a tree getting an IV. Seriously. I asked the tree doc, and found out it's treatment for the ash borer infestation that's going on. There were 8 IV bags hung on the tree, feeding down into small holes bored just over the roots. I just wish I'd gotten a picture!

[kacie tri-ing]

I want to see a tree IV!

I ran the same 6 miles last night and this morning. Felt less sluggish this morning, but man heat and humidity are tough!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, I've never heard of that "IV" treatment, and they just quarantined two more counties in my area. :(

I wonder how toxic the chemicals are. And whether they aren't just fighting a losing battle trying to contain the borer, and would be better served trying to breed resistant trees, as they're doing with American chestnuts and elms.

[skhill]

Found a news article about the ash borer infestation and treatment, picture included: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/06/24/1319910/big-blue-ash-gets-protection-from.html#. Don't know about the toxicity of the treatment, tho...

This morning's run included a big chunk of the route for the big 10k this weekend, the gentle uphill that keeps going almost 2 miles, today with a noticable headwind. Coming back down the hill, with the tailwind, was great fun! I went 7 miles total, and enjoyed every minute of it.

[rocknrollgirl]

A lovely cool 4 miles this morning. I am enjoying the nice weather while we have it.

[colby]

I walked the dog 1.5 miles today. Just like yoga yesterday, it feels good when I'm doing it but a couple hours later I'm ready for a nap. ;) I didn't have any desire to run, I can still feel that my quads are tired. I am thinking I'll start riding this weekend (I would ride tomorrow, but it's supposed to rain) with a couple of easy rides, maybe some swimming, then start running again next week. I have a sprint triathlon scheduled for July 11, a week from Sunday, so I'd like to at least run once before then. I can't race Athena anymore so I'm trying to make a good showing of it, but I have to adjust my expectations appropriately. :)

[Veronica]

I can't race Athena anymore so I'm trying to make a good showing of it, but I have to adjust my expectations appropriately. :)

But isn't it wonderful that you can't race Athena? That's the way I look at it anyway. :p

Veronica

[katluvr]

Finally... I got up AND did run today. It was a bit cooler, we had a lot of rain and cloud coverage yesterday so I think it was in the 70's this AM at 7 AM. I did the 3.4 mile loop. I have my garmin back (well a re-furbished one) so I could see pace. Can you believe my goal was to run 12 mm or faster? I have gotten that slow! Took me about 0.8 min to get to a 12 mm then I was hanging out between 11:40 -11:50. Darn slow. But the garmin made me be aware of my pace. Now if I could get out consistently to run!

K

[colby]

But isn't it wonderful that you can't race Athena? That's the way I look at it anyway. :p

Veronica

Very true - I was glad to not pack that extra 10-15 lbs around for 140.6, especially up the hills. I will remind myself of the same fact even if it's only 15.6 miles I'm going. ;)

[Jolt]

Tonight I decided to check out the group "fun run" put on by a local running shop on Thursday nights. There were 7 of us (I think) and we did about 3.5 miles. We didn't go too fast; I started out with the front group for the first mile or so, then fell behind them (I think they sped up; I may have slowed down a little as well) and was in between them and the three bringing up the rear. This was OK until I lost sight of the front people during about the last mile...we were running in an area I am not familiar with so I had a moment of "oh crap, where am I?". I ended up waitiing for one of the others to catch up since he knew where we were going. Then for some reason I had a hard time keeping up with him, even though he had been behind me the whole time prior to that! I think part of it was that he was pounding the ground rather loudly, his cadence was slower than mine, and it was messing me up a little (I think that's one reason why I sometimes have trouble running with other people). Other than that it was a pretty good run and was a nice change from the usual. Everyone was curious about my VFFs and one of the faster guys said I have good form--that was nice to hear.

[OakLeaf]

I did mile repeats yesterday and I was still really struggling, and it wasn't even hot. I don't know if I maybe still have a pocket of sinus infection from that cold (it does seem like it sometimes), or if it was the residuals from all the decongestants I had to take over the last couple of weeks, or what, but I could only manage 8:30 miles over the repeats, and I had to walk the WHOLE recovery intervals to keep my HR in the range I wanted. Hopefully next time will be better ... but it's supposed to get really hot tomorrow and stay that way all week. :(

[kacie tri-ing]

I ran the biggest 10K in the world yesterday :D:D The peachtree road race (which finishes right outside my front door!). 53:09, which is no where near my 10K pr, but I had SO much fun! There was entertainment every step of the way! What a great run!

Back to IM training.....

[katluvr]

COOL!
This race is on my list (bucket list)! I worked and had a 4th of July Cookout afterwards instead. Hmmmm maybe I should sign up for next years!

K

[colby]

I ran the biggest 10K in the world yesterday :D:D The peachtree road race (which finishes right outside my front door!). 53:09, which is no where near my 10K pr, but I had SO much fun! There was entertainment every step of the way! What a great run!

Back to IM training.....

Sounds like Bloomsday (which I think earns the biggest race distinction for 12k). Fun, a unique experience, you don't necessarily race fast but you have a good time ;)

I ran 3 or so miles today... it wasn't bad. Toward the end, it started to feel iffy, so I'm glad I only went as far as I did. I really need a massage and more yoga, things are starting to loosen but the "deep" muscles need some TLC.