The Runs of August

[OakLeaf]

Three minutes at 10K pace - three minutes recovery jog, x 5. Hadn't done that workout in a long time. I'm starting to remember how to hold pace ... just starting.

I updated the firmware in my watch and need to recalibrate my footpod. Wanted to do that as a warm-up, but was having trouble with it for some reason, even after I changed the battery. Oh well.

[chosen1]

I had to take advantage of the sun being out today, we've had afternoon or daily thunderstorms for the last 2 or 3 weeks. My goodness it was HOT but I'd rather run/bike outdoors than inside so I sucked it up. Biked 23mi and did a 2 mi run. The run was tough because I started having leg cramps :( guess I didn't have as many fluids in me as I thought. I was just happy to be off the trainer and treadmill and OUTSIDE haha

[skhill]

Finally got around to heading out for some speedwork today-- but when I'd run the mile to the track, the wind was picking up and the thunderclouds were approaching. So I just ran the mile back home. Fast. Beating the storm home is speed work, right?

BTW, when I saw the thread title, what immediately came to mind was the stomach issues I was having on Saturday's run!

[Veronica]

BTW, when I saw the thread title, what immediately came to mind was the stomach issues I was having on Saturday's run!

Yuck!


Recovery from my HIM this week. I walked 1.67 miles on Monday. :D

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

It's too hot to run outside. Even at 8 at night it's still in the upper 90's. All my runs for the last month have been on the treadmill. I'll pay for that on race day in September, but the only other option is bursting into flames on my run, and I'd rather not do that. ;)
Keep running strong, ladies!

[Owlie]

BTW, when I saw the thread title, what immediately came to mind was the stomach issues I was having on Saturday's run!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this way...

[yellow]

I always carry some Immodium in the event I happen upon the runs of August, or any other month. :p

And people who run a lot know that this can be an issue!

I am feeling very bad for all the folks who are dealing with the intense heat. I just know how I react to heat mentally and physically...and I really do feel for y'all. We are having an amazingly mild summer for us...highs in the 90s. A little more humid that normal, but much cooler. The consensus is that we like it! I prefer even cooler, but given the alternative, I'll take it!

Do what you can. Fall (and winter) will be here before you know it.

On a side note, I went to the outdoor retailer's show over the weekend and there are some really awesome running shoes coming out next year. Look for good stuff from Altra, Saucony, GoLite, and Inov8. Saucony is changing the drop on ALL of their "traditional" shoes from the industry historic 12mm heel-to-toe drop to 8 mm. Same cushioning (for those who like/want it), shorter drop. They are also coming out with a zero drop trail runner with a substantial bottom so you don't destroy your feet on sharp rocks (I am currently in love with the Peregrine, which has a 4 mm drop and plan to try these new ones when they come out...can't remember the name). What I got out of looking at everything is that the manufacturers seem to be gravitating to not so much minimalist shoes but shoes with protection and less drop. I think there will always be shoes in the 8-12 mm range, which is what many people like, but we will definitely see more shoes in the 3-6 mm range. Nice to have some other choices.

[jessmarimba]

I'm coming back to running after a couple months off, and upped my long run on Saturday to 9 miles (from 6) in hopes of possibly still making a fall marathon.

I don't feel very sore but stairs are iffy right now! Not sure if my calves will support me. The narrow, steep Victorian staircase in my house is a little scary now :)

[skhill]

Those narrow, steep Victorian staircases are always scary!

I was sick over the weeked, and for the first time missed a race I had pre-registered for. Oh well. About an hour before the start time, I thought I might give it a go, but then thought better of it-- walking from the living room to the kitchen made me feel like I needed to sit down and rest. Monday I did about 2 miles of run/walk. Today finally I'm feeling pretty much OK, and so I got out for a slow but steady 5 miles.

My route took me past my favorite LBS, and in the window was a Giant Avail 1, marked down from about $1400 to $800. It looked like it might be my size, too. I don't need another bike, but....

[GLC1968]

I'm finally back to running again. I have my first half-marathon in October, so this week I start my 10 week training plan.

Yesterday was the first run. 3 miles - easy pace. I wore my newest shoe experiment - Merrell's Trail Gloves in the kids version. The women's were too narrow and the men's too long - the kids seem to be just right and they are much cheaper too! First run went well in them, so I'm hopeful.

[skhill]

I went to the LBS to check out the bike in the window-- it would have been perfect if I were about 2 inches taller!

The heat has broken here, at last. It felt so great to run in 60F temperatures again! Did 6 miles, going faster and easier in the cool morning.

[katluvr]

I've not been posting. I've been in a longish semi-taper for my Pike Peak Ascent. Weather and work has made me be "inventive" in my training (as well as no access to mountains or altitude). I leave in 1 week from tomorrow, I am 9 days (or 8 days and so many hours) from the race. Past few workouts included step ups and high incline (6+miles) in treadmill. Saturday is my last real run of about 8 miles (plan to do the bridge for "hill repeats) but an "easy run". It is too late to push too hard. I feel under trained, pre-pared but not. VERY nervous. I know this will really be a "mind game" to keep pushing (but not go out too hard). I keep visulizing the finish, visulizing having "fun" (ha!) and that I can and DO finish it! Keeping the doubts out of my head.

Excited to be going, it is vacation, you know! I'll have a couple of days of fun after, and the Pro Cycling event is on Monday at Garden of the Gods--I'll be right there in Manitou Springs--now that is something to look forward to!

K

[skhill]

Had an interesting run this morning... I ran through part of the University campus this morning, forgetting that students could start moving in today. At 7 am, there were already kids lining up! And then, I got passed by a male collegiate soccer player half my age-- the competitive juices got flowing, and I found myself speeding up, trying to pass him back. But I came to my senses before long...

A few miles later, though, there was the most ridiculous sight-- a porta-potty parked in a bike lane!! I've contacted city government, but I'm not all that hopeful that anything will be done about it.

[Kimmyt]

Katluvr, good luck on your race! Me and my friends just did a lap of the golden stairs today to check it out and are feeling underprepared and overwhelmed. Here's to hoping we all survive!

[rubysoho]

I am excited that I can consistenly finish three miles, no walking. :D Which means I am ready for my first ever 5k on September 10th. Yesterday I noticed I was naturally holding a faster pace too so I am very excited about my running! *happy dance* I am wondering if it would be possible for me to complete the 5k in under thirty minutes. Right now I am at about 35 minutes. If not, no big deal. The original goal was just to show up and finish and now I am pretty confident about that.

[OakLeaf]

Yay Ruby! Good luck. :)

My half-marathon training is coming along okay, I guess. I did mile repeats x 3 on Friday and it just about killed me, probably because I was kind of sore from the strength class I taught on Thursday. Today I did a relatively flat 9.3 and felt pretty much all right. I wish I were farther along, but it is what it is, and I think I can keep my motivation and hopefully get the finish I want.

Still contemplating a winter or spring marathon. We'll see. I've realized that I'm still kind of holding onto a fantasy that I'll get into Boston :rolleyes:, so I've given myself permission not to sign up for anything else or even think about a training schedule, until I know that Boston is full before my qualifying group registration even starts. :p

[GLC1968]

Good luck, Ruby! I bet you break 30 minutes (or are very close). My best pace in training was about 35 minutes before my first 5K and I did it in like 29:50 or something.

My HM training isn't going real well. Life keeps getting in the way! I did the first two 3 mile runs but then missed the two weekend runs (3 mile and 4 mile) because I was hiking. I figured hiking 17+ miles with 14+ of those carrying a 45 lb pack at altitude was good enough run training, right?

Then I got back to work and managed to miss BOTH 3 mile runs during the week due to other commitments. I squeezed in a 2 miler on Friday and then did the 5 mile LSD on Sunday. The 5 mile sucked. I was seriously working to keep my core temps under control but I finished it (slowly). The good news is that by the end, my legs and feet felt fine and could easily have gone further had the weather been better, so that's good.

This week I've got a 3 miler, a 4 miler with half of it at 'tempo' and then I'm going to miss the weekend runs again for more hiking! Considering that my biggest limiter in running are my feet and not my conditioning, I'm going to call it good. Do you all agree or should I try and figure out a way to fit those missing runs? My hiking this weekend will be a minimum of 15 miles of hiking (probably more) with 45+ lbs at altitude with some climbing as well.

[joebean089]

Three minutes at 10K pace - three minutes recovery jog, x 5. Hadn't done that workout in a long time. I'm starting to remember how to hold pace ... just starting.

I updated the firmware in my watch and need to recalibrate my footpod. Wanted to do that as a warm-up, but was having trouble with it for some reason, even after I changed the battery. Oh well.

That was a long one! I am really jealous of you guys who can still cycling! I am a dad now, work and work for almost every minute of my life, cycling was my hobby before, but now it's all gone. Before I am in Baltimore Club. DC.
________________
Joe @ Event Space NYC (http://82mercer.com/index.htm)

[GLC1968]

Did 4.25 miles last night with the middle 2 miles at 'tempo'. I forgot my Garmin, so I gauged where to speed up using Runkeeper and my speed based on how hard I was breathing. I had to rest once to cool off a bit, but all in all, it went ok.

Wore my Merrill trail gloves again and have decided to retire them from running. They are wide enough, but they make be bang my toes as I run and by the time I went to bed last night, they were killing me. I'm sure I'll lose a couple of toenails now. :mad: Good thing the shoes are cute enough that I'll wear them as regular walking around shoes. I'd hate to have wasted the money!

[limewave]

I'm trying to get back into running! I did 800's with a friend on Monday. She's marathon training so the 800's were at her goal marathon pace. It was a lot of miles to jump into (9) but it was a slower pace, we even walked a bit between intervals.

6.5 miles for me yesterday. Ended with some springs and diagonals. Ugh! Makes me want to puke every time.

I'm in build week 3 and my diet has gone to heck. Next week is recovery/rest week. Looking forward to some easy workouts and focusing on my nutrition.

[skhill]

The circus is in town! I had forgotten about it, and so had the unusual experience of seeing elephants on my morning run. Looked down from a viaduct into the parking lot where they are being stabled, and there they were.

My mileage is down these days as I'm trying to put on some weight so it was just 6.5 miles today. Yes I'm trying to put on weight. After a bout with food poisoning early in the month, I dropped to a weight I haven't been since elementary school. Gone from looking lean to looking gaunt. So far, I'm up 3 pounds, and I'd like to put on another 3-5. What a pain...

[GLC1968]

Oooh, elephants while running? Pretty cool! When I run near my parents house in FL, I run past a primate rescue and get to see a lot of big apes and things. Very fun!

I skipped two 3 mile runs last week in trade for hiking 15+ miles (over 2 days) wearing a 40 lb pack. I hope that's an even enough exchange from a training perspective. My body certainly couldn't have taken an additional impact.

My training plan had 6 miles on it for yesterday but I only got though 5.5 miles before I slipped (almost fell, but recovered) and broke our treadmill. Oops. I guess 5.5 will have to be good enough! ;)

[jessmarimba]

For future reference, don't take 2 weeks off from running to play with your new bike, then go back and try a 9-mile run. My calves aren't working today!! Will try an easy run and a bike ride tomorrow & see how that goes.