Hot August Miles

[katluvr]

I almost posted in the July thread but realized it was August!

Last 2 hard/long training runs:
Yesterday 2 hours on treadmill at high incline doing more of a "power hike". It's hot, hot, hot in the garage! Thanks goodness I have the full 4 seasons of The Big Bang Theory--keeps me occupied! 2 hrs = 6 episodes. Then today I did 8 miles of "hill" (bridge) repeats.

So that's it...nothing but short incline workouts or easy runs. We fly out 1 week from today and the race is on Saturday. I think I am more nervous this time than last year. Not sure why? Maybe because I really know how tough it is. Maybe because I want to bet last years time? Maybe because I worry I am not as fit as last year? And one never knows about the weather or what altitude will do to me this year. Ready or not...Pikes Peak here I come!

K

[Tri Girl]

Sounds like you're as ready as you're going to be!! My good friend is doing it, too. We are flatlanders, so he trains all summer at the stadium steps at OU. He's done it the last couple years, and I think this year he's doing the double (the half then the full the next day)??
I hope to do that some day, but most likely not until I retire, as it's always the first week that school starts and I can't take any time off that week.


My runs have sucked in the heat lately. Trying to heart rate train, and it's just not working out. More walking than jogging/running. So for now, I'm leaving my HR monitor at home and just running (even tho I know it's in the high 160's- I just don't care). ;)
4 weeks until my 50K. I DNF'd the last 50K I attempted at the end of June (only made it 27 miles), so we'll see how I do in the heat with this one. If I have to walk the whole dang thing, I'm going to cross that finish line this time, dangit!!!! :p

[jessmarimba]

Hey Kat -

If you had to pick between road shoes or fairly light hiking shoes (not boots), which would you go with? Never found trail shoes that worked.

Thanks!

[limewave]

Jess-I have used regular road shoes for trail running. I would wear those over light weight hiking shoes. I know you didn't ask me, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

15 minutes of hill repeats for me yesterday before a strength training workout. And 2x1600's the day before that. . . . Slowly starting to feel like a runner again.

[skhill]

It's not so hot here, at last! The olympics have inspired me to actually do speed work this week: a 4 mile tempo run Tuesday, and today's run included some intervals on the track. There were more people out on the track than I've ever seen before, 4 walkers, one with a little dog.

Looking forward to tomorrow's long run, as it's supposed to get down into the upper 50s tonight!!!!!

[jessmarimba]

Jess-I have used regular road shoes for trail running. I would wear those over light weight hiking shoes. I know you didn't ask me, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

That's what I usually wear trail running, but I won't be running much of Pikes. Just wondering if I'd be better off in the shoes I usually would wear to hike a 14er. The scree at the top worries me a bit, especially since I usually hike with poles. The shoes I'm considering are the Merrell Siren Sport (http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/12014W/61569/Womens/Siren-Sport?dimensions=0), so I don't think they're particularly overkill.

[katluvr]

Jess,

I wear what I wear on the road....did that last year and no problems. Of course there as no rain, snow or ice (and one never knows). So I would wear what you are comforable in. For me that is my regular running shoes and I hope to stay dry!

As for above tree line...I have VERY short legs and I felt like I needed to be a mountain goat, but truly it is a trail and I didn't feel like I slipped or needed better traction. I did use my hands and find biking gloves useful.

As I think back I saw alot of regular running shoes on folks feet.


I am both excited and nervous!

Kay

[skhill]

Ah, what a beautiful day for a run-- 56F and just a hint of a breeze at 6:30 am. WOW. Kinda wished I'd dug out some lightweight gloves, my hands were quite cold for the first few miles. Petered out at just 8 miles; I'd intended to go a bit further, but I was out of gas. I know perfectly well that I need to eat something first if I'm going to be out for much more than an hour, but I didn't... Oh well.

Our biggest 5k is tonight. Don't like running in the evening, but the weather's so wonderful that I just might do it anyway. It'd be just for fun, not time, after the morning run. Or I might just go downtown and cheer at the finish line!

[jessmarimba]

Alright, after a couple weeks of sluggish running my confidence is back. Ran the Georgetown to Idaho Springs half Saturday - rolling hills, but a net elevation loss of about 1,000 feet (Georgetown is at 8,500, Idaho Springs is at 7,500). Fantastic race. Temps were nice and cool and while there was some sun it was overcast by the time we left town again. The kids who worked the aid stations had chalked inspiring messages and put signs up along the whole race course and it felt like the miles just flew by. Finished in 1:59, so I finally have my sub-2 half at altitude :)

(It will be funny to compare the times across this season of half marathons - will range from 1:59 to probably close to 5 hours for the various races!)

[skhill]

I was wondering what was up with the police crime scene tape I saw on my run this morning; checked the local news when I got home and found out it was a drug-related murder last evening. Sigh.

Other than that, it was an excellent run. Kept hitting stoplights just as they turned green, drivers were unusually courteous, and a homeless guy who's usually surly responded to my "good morning" with a smile. Weird. 7 miles in just over an hour, so fast I logged it as a tempo run even though that wasn't my intent!

One great story from the 5k I didn't do Sat. evening-- the winner on the women's side, in about 18 min., gave birth to twins just 5 months ago. Her husband also was under 20 minutes, despite pushing the stroller with the twins! Amazing...

[skhill]

School started Wed., and students start moving into the dorms at the university today, so I've been trying out some new routes to avoid some areas. Nice to see some different neighborhoods!

After today, I have a lot more sympathy for those who struggle to find the right, supportive bra. Being a couple days late on doing the laudry, I pulled out a very old, worn bra. As I wear a 32A, there's not much to support, but this bra wasn't cutting it. It went straight into the trash when I got home. Still went 5.5 miles, jiggling all the way...

[jessmarimba]

I made what I think might've been a big mistake yesterday. Met some of my relay team for a run after work - they chose to do an out-and-back essentially straight up a mountain. 8,300-9,500 feet, up for 2.4 miles and then back. I tried to take it easy since Pikes Peak is tomorrow morning :eek: but I'm feeling pretty rough today.

Also really overstressing that I have done almost all of the laundry and yet all of my favorite socks are still singles. HOW DID ALL OF THE PAIRS DISAPPEAR? (That's what I get for bragging last week that all of my socks matched after folding laundry. The sock gods were displeased...)

[jessmarimba]

Wow. The Pikes Peak Ascent is probably the hardest thing I've ever raced.

It wasn't too bad for the first...10-11 miles? Steady solid hiking, running when it got close to flat or downhill. Once we got above treeline...and particularly the last mile...hello, zombieland. The last mile has 815 feet of climbing. From 13,300-14,115 (or slightly below, since the finish isn't quite on the summit). And you know you're a mile away, and you can see the finish...and it's so far up you can barely crane your neck to see it with a hat on. From that point on, I refused to look anywhere but down the valley that we had already climbed or at the person's feet in front of me.

My running group came to spectate and met me at the top with a coke and a donut. I love them so much right now.

Will I sign up again for next year? Probably :)

[skhill]

It's been an exceptionally fast week. My easy runs have been generally at a 9-9:15/mile pace, but this week it's been 8:35-8:45. I haven't been trying to go fast, and it hasn't felt like I'm going that fast, but there it is. Probably has a lot to do with the unseasonable cool temps; it's been in the low to mid 50s at dawn.

There's a 5k this weekend that I just might do after all, just to see if this speed is for real.

[yellow]

nice, jess. Have you also considered Imogene Pass Run? That is a spectacular one. Probably a little far from home for you but it's amazing. Collegiate Peaks has a 25 mile if you are up for similar but a little farther run :-)

kat owes us a report, too!

[katluvr]

Avoiding the Pikes Peak report...still trying to "be proud" of my accomplishment.

My report: Hardest damn day of my life. Altitude sickness WELL before A-Frame (10 miles). Zombie walked and stopped A LOT above tree line. Literally had to "sprint" up the rocks on the top to make it under the 6 hr 30 minute cut off finish time. Been beating myself up for days. Finally starting to just say "I did it--the damn toughest race of my life!"

Disappointed in my performance. (Last year I did 5:48) Second guessing my training. Wondering what I could of done better. Maybe it was just a bad (race) day.

I have WONDERFUL friends that supported me before, during and after with great words of encouragement. I had to finish just not to disappoint them. They still think I did something amazing.

I REALLY earned my medal and and shirt this year.
Nope, not doing it next year--hope to support and cheer on my SO. Maybe 2014.

Haven't run since...but I'm signed up for a HM in Nov...may go for a PR

Thanks of asking.

K

[OakLeaf]

Hey kat,

A local friend of mine did the 26.2. He runs five to seven marathons every month, has done a number of 50Ks including some very tough trail races, and at least one 50-miler. He said flatly that this year's Pike's Peak was his toughest run ever.

So, BE PROUD of yourself!



ETA: nice job you too jess! I missed that you were doing it. I'm in awe of you mountain goats. :)

[Tri Girl]

congrats, Jess and Kat!!! I always wanted to do Pikes Peak, but after climbing our first 14er this summer (Mt. Elbert in Leadville), I don't know that I can do it. We'd done lots of mountaing climbing and lots of summits at or below 12,000 ft. There is a MAJOR difference in climbing a 12,000 ft peak and a 14,000 ft peak- I had no idea! Many kudos to you for finishing. I bow to you!!! :D

And I thought my 12 miles in the sticky hot dreadfully sweltering heat this morning was hard....

[katluvr]

Not many hot August miles in this thread.

I'm still working through "post big event" and "post vacation" depression. At to it TS Isaac! UGH!

So I'm really moving back into "training"...I have a MS Bike Ride (150 miles) in about 5 weeks. So it was back on the bike for 40 miles on Sat & 33 on Sunday. My legs were ok, but my sitz (sp?)bones are in shock!

Made it out today at noon in a mist and strong wind to do 3.4 easy-ish miles. No garmin, no pace, just me. I'm 11 weeks out from a HM some friends wanted me to do with them...so its back to full on training I guess!

And thanks all for the kind words! I am truly glad to be done with the mountain!

K

[skhill]

Pike's peak is one race I can't imagine attempting. I don't like the hills around here... Just finishing that thing is a great accomplishment!

In a sure sign of middle-age, I somehow managed to tweak something in my back bending over to feed the cats last Thursday. Took it easy over the weekend (couldn't really do much else), and the pain was down to just some achiness and stiffness when I woke up this morning, so I went out for a short run. Just 2 miles, and it felt fine. I'm stiff and achy again after much sitting today. Funny how running and biking are easier on the back than sitting...

[jessmarimba]

Did 21 Saturday morning! Last super long run before my marathon, though I will run approx 20 miles (split into 3 chunks) in the Ragnar relay in 2 weeks. I think 21 was easier than 18, but it still hurt.

[skhill]

Got rained out on Tuesday morning-- it went from pleasant drizzle to downpour within the first .25 mile, so I went home. Instead, I did some doggy intervals in the evening, mainly chasing squirrels with Stella. I'm used to pavement, not grass! It was higher speeds and shorter distances than I do on my own, with some agility work thrown in. Great fun!

This morning I finally got a "real" run in again. 5.9 miles, in 50 minutes, which is crazy fast for me. I wasn't trying to go fast, didn't feel like I was going fast, and yet... I'm going to take off a couple days before my next 10k, just to see if it will help.

[jessmarimba]

13 today, and it was awful. Nothing specific, just mentally not there. Seemed to drag on forever and I think I "quit running" about 10 times today :D

Least it's over.

[Tri Girl]

13 today, and it was awful. Nothing specific, just mentally not there. Seemed to drag on forever and I think I "quit running" about 10 times today :D

Least it's over.

Good job! I'm supposed to run 4 hours tomorrow. I will probably quit at least that many times. Ran 4 miles last night after work at 4:30 pm and I nearly quit every half mile it was so stupid hot and humid and miserable.

Temps are forecasted to be in the mid 80's next weekend for my 50K trail race (which I'm really debating turning into the 25K option). It's been in the high 90's and supposed to be in the low 100's this week. I'm SO over this dreadful summer. I can't WAIT until fall arrives...

[jessmarimba]

Good luck! The idea of running 4 hours right now sounds miserable, though most of my long runs have been with someone too fast. Perhaps running 4 at a relaxed pace wouldn't be so bad.

On the fall note - the leaves are turning and starting to fall on the route we did today. It's early for that and supposedly it's because of how dry it's been, but it smelled like fall this morning and that was the happiest thing that came out of this run. It'll still be 90 tomorrow, but if I'm up early enough I can pretend like the seasons are changing!

[yellow]

A little late, but great job, kat. You made it through a tough day and that's something to be very, very proud of!

My hamstring is still giving me fits, but I've been walking and riding a little. I also started going to some group fitness classes for something different. I have to say that in spite of my un-cute-outfit-ness, lack of a long flowing ponytail, and complete, absolute lack of rhythm, it's pretty fun. We leave on a long vacation this coming week, and I am hoping that by the time we get back that I will be able to run a little bit. I'll probably do the classes for a while; I think they are good for my overall mobility.

I made a little movie from TransRockies is anyone is interested. My favorite segment is the "Team Sparkle" segment. I swear to you, this was not scripted. :p

TRR movie (https://vimeo.com/48615702)

[Tri Girl]

yeah... I only made it 2:15 and then I stopped. It was 92 degrees by 9:30am with 60% humidity. I was toast. I'm dropping down from the 50K next weekend to the 25K. I just can't run in this heat. :(
Please come quickly, Fall, before I give up running altogether... :rolleyes:

[skhill]

Another heat and humidity shortened long run here. Thanks to the remnants of Isaac, it was plain nasty even at dawn. I was planning on going 9 miles, but only made it to 6. And I was 3 lbs lighter when I finished than when I started. No wonder I felt so bad...

[Tri Girl]

Well I think 6 in awful heat/humidity is pretty darn good! I hear ya, tho. I was also down 3 lbs. And that's with drinking a full bladder.
It has to start cooling off soon, right skhill??? RIGHT??? ;)

[rocknrollgirl]

I am taking comfort in the fact that I am not the only one suffering through the heat and humidity. I did 9 yesterday at a very slow pace. The humidity was awful. I too was down about 3 pounds when I got home. The fall weather cannot come quickly enough. This really does a number on my head.

[Tri Girl]

my *running* lately on the trails has been a blistering 16 min/mile. On the road it's a whopping 13-14 min/miles. Really?? I could almost walk that fast. I run 2 min, walk 1 min to keep my HR from getting up to and staying in the high 170's when it's this hot.

It will be over, soon, and then I will become fast again (well, fastER) :p

[rocknrollgirl]

Had plans to get up early and run before the first day back to school, but we are getting pounded by leftover Isaac so instead I have been up half the night with the house shaking.
It makes my heart go out to those that got the full impact of the storm.

I will try again later...

[lph]

Autumn is here. Ran 40 minutes to work this morning in cool rain... wet shoes drying downstairs as I type. Nice, in it's way.

[rocknrollgirl]

I ended up getting part of my run in yesterday. I had an interval workout to do and mde it about 3/4 of the way through between rounds of storms. I could hear thunder off in the distance and was trying to outrun it. Come to find out it was a tornado warning. In NJ. Go figure.

[indysteel]

I'm a cold weather runner. While I can sort of adjust to riding in the heat, I can't seem to get past 70 or so degrees with running. In light of that, I hadn't gone for a run since Good Friday, if memory serves. It's been a crazy hot summer....

But I started dipping my toe in the water again over the last few days. I ran 2 miles on last Friday and again yesterday on the dreadmill. I've continued to battle some occasional hamstring and hip pain over the summer, so as modest at 2 miles sounds, I was pleased that nothing hurt too badly. Given those issues, I don't aspire to much more than 4-5 miles a few times a week, but I hope I'm off to a good start.