Running with Resolve: January Runs [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

skhill

01-02-2013, 06:15 AM

I ran 3.9 miles outside this morning. It was 28F when I started, and had dropped to 24F by the time I got home. Everything was warm enough after I got moving, except for the toes and chin. Why my chin and not my nose, I have no idea... Did have some excitement, though: I was chased by a Great Dane that probably outweighed me. He just kinda stepped over his fence and came galloping down the sidewalk towards me. I stopped, and he just wanted to be petted. Still, that'll wake you up in the early a.m.!

Tri Girl

01-02-2013, 06:44 AM

You ladies are braving that cold weather!! Nicely done!
Yeah, a giant Dane coming at me would surely wake me up in a HURRY!! :D

I've been having some issues with the changing of my blood pressure meds so I'm sticking to the treadmill since I find myself becoming dizzy and needing to sit down a few times during my runs. Hoping the doc calls me back today (I put in a call early Friday) to see if we can't change meds. I can't go more than 3 miles without feeling like I'm going to die (and I just did 10 miles easily before I started this new med). :(

Kernyl

01-03-2013, 04:15 AM

2.5 yesterday in the upper 20's when I went. Brrrr.

I love Great Danes, but what a wake up call!

indysteel

01-03-2013, 04:32 AM

Anelia

01-04-2013, 04:27 AM

Yesterday I did hill running and today I'm sore in the glutes and calves. My workout on Sportstracker, as well as two pictures (http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/AneliyaKaragyozyan/d5fpse6ng9t1q41i) and my heart rate on Garmin (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/257460461) (I forgot the pace gadget at home).
Tri girl, I hope your doc already handled the situation. Any news?

skhill

01-04-2013, 11:42 AM

Looking at the weather forecast, I thought I'd be back to the treadmill this morning, but it turned out to be a beautiful not-too-cold morning. So I took my new pair of VFFs outside for their maiden run. 5.5 miles, with a detour to avoid the great dane's house.

TriGirl, hope the meds get straightened out quickly. That's got to be frustrating (and alarming).

katluvr

01-05-2013, 07:38 AM

5 days into 2013 and I finally went for a run. Easy 3 miler, but it's a start. I have a string of days off that will allow me to get back in a running routine (hopefully)
I'm 2 weeks away from a 5K (that is usually my goal PR to get under 30 minutes) followed by a 10K. It's at the beach and normally a VERY cold weekend (no matter what the weather is before). Not sure I can sub 30 minute a 5K in my current shape (slow, minimal mileage, extra pounds)--but I'll give it a go!
Expect a run report tomorrow too....maybe this forum can help hold me accountable!

K

Tri Girl

01-06-2013, 06:51 AM

Thanks for the thoughts, ladies. My doc finally called me back (after 6 days) and changed the meds, but like a bad girl, I haven't been taking them. I was only borderline high with the BP anyway, so I stopped taking it while waiting for her to return my call and change the meds. For 3 days I've been off the meds and my numbers are in the normal or low prehypertension range. The reason she initially put me on it was because my readings are always in the 160/100 range when I go into her office. Of course they are, because I'm terrified of the doctor's office. :p Anyway- I'm going to monitor it for a week without the meds and then call her if the numbers are low enough that maybe I can get away with not taking it anymore. I hate medication and avoid them at all costs unless it's absolutely a necessity. I'm not going to mess around with BP, tho. I know it's the silent killer and will monitor it and take the meds if I absolutely have to.

I went for an 8 mile run yesterday, and wound up power-walking it more than running. It was so cold out there, my asthma was acting up and I couldn't get a good breathing rhythm down. It still felt good to be out there for 8 miles. :)

indysteel

01-06-2013, 07:52 AM

Did 4.5 miles outside yesterday. By the time I got out, the clouds had already rolled in and the wind had picked up. It wasn't horrible, but as I mentioned earlier, my Sugoi tights aren't cutting it, even in temps where they should suffice. I ordered some Sporthill Saga tights from TE on Friday. I hope they're an improvement. My warmest top by far is a Sporthill, so I'm hopeful.

OakLeaf

01-06-2013, 08:40 AM

Between the incipient plantar fasciitis and all the other stuff I'm still healing from, my DOM advised me to take another easy week. :( I'm still hoping to be able to build mileage before April. Fingers crossed, wishing on stars, and honestly if it weren't for the stupid heel I'd be feeling super optimistic right now. Things are definitely looking up with the shoulder girdle - can the low back be far behind? :D I did a pretty strenuous yoga class yesterday and of course I'm sore all over, but it is really feeling like that's the missing piece to get everything back in alignment along with the OMM and acupuncture. I just didn't trust the yoga studios within driving distance "up north" to give the attention to alignment and the super detailed cues that my teacher here does. So a guarded yay. More than guarded, actually, when I did my first handstand in almost 8 months today (at the wall, but that's all I could do 8 months ago too) it literally made me cry for gratitude and joy. :) But as far as running miles, not much in the past week.

TriGirl, hope you get your meds sorted soon. Personally I think it's deceptive to call HTN a "silent killer," because honestly if it killed me it would be one of the most pleasant possible ways to go. I'm way more afraid of a NON-lethal stroke. And I'm also so white-coat-syndromey that I even started to get anxious about taking my BP at home. When I started seeing the DO this fall I was just stunned that except for the first visit, every time I went there my BP was like 110/70, numbers I don't think I'd ever seen before in my life. Non-threatening, non-invasive, clothes-on, effective treatment and a great deal of trust - was what it took for me to find out what my blood pressure REALLY is! I have heard and read a lot of people say that athletes shouldn't take beta blockers though, is it an ACE inhibitor that you're on?

Good running all - good job getting out there in that snow - or worse, the dreadmill!

skhill

01-07-2013, 05:16 AM

It was forecast to be about 20F and breezy this morning, so I was foresightful and packed my gym bag last night. Woke up to find they'd gotten it wrong, and it was in the upper 20s with no wind at all. But I was already in treadmill mode mentally so it was off to the gym. Did my 4 miles in under 32:50, and had a stitch that only appeared when I was keeping an 8:15 pace. Slower, it went away. Faster, it went away. Weird.

The qym was a lot busier than usual this morning-- there were only 2 treadmills left when I got there. But it's the first Monday of the year, of course, and I'm sure things will return to normal soon!

indysteel

01-07-2013, 06:13 AM

Oak, I hope the PF resolves itself soon. But yay with respect to your shoulder! I don't do handstand at all (I baby my hands and wrists where I can when it comes to yoga because they get easily irritated), so I think any handstand practice--at the wall or otherwise--is pretty cool.

OakLeaf

01-07-2013, 10:25 AM

Thanks Indy. It's just that kind of thing that my yoga teacher is so wonderful with ... little cues like making sure we get all five metacarpal heads on the floor, weight them equally, then add all five finger pads, and never weight the wrists. How all the fascia is connected ... isometrically spreading the outer wrists spreads the collarbones and pushing the back of the wrist lifts the sternum ... things like that. I KNOW no one near me in Ohio knows how to cue hands and wrists to protect the shoulders.

In other news ... something that has NEVER happened to me before: I tried on a pair of shoes that were too big. Like, too big EVERYWHERE. :p I broke down and ordered three different pairs from RoadRunner just because LRSs rarely stock anything close to my size, and it's such a long drive anyway that they're hardly even local. Well, New Balance 1540 comes in women's EEEE, and not even RoadRunner stocks them, they had to ship directly from NB. :rolleyes: I ordered my usual length (11) which is typically too long in the middle of my toebox where no one has feet anyway, but is usually the smallest that will begin to fit my outer toes and forefeet. Well, these shoes are too long in the toebox (expected), PLENTY roomy in the forefoot, roomy enough for my big toes, NOT overly wide in the heel (unlike the Clark's dress shoes I tried on one time, which all I could figure out was they must have been made for dowdy drag queens because they were totally the shape of the box they came in :confused:). So they're going back ... being exchanged for a smaller size - actually one of the other pairs I ordered doesn't fit me at all, so I think I'm going to try the NB's in both 10 and 9.5. Which is totally astounding, since it's not unusual for me to wind up in a MEN's 9.5. :eek:

Another easy 5.5 for me today, nice day for running, heel doesn't feel too bad, going back to the DOM tomorrow (really he's got several qualifications in the sports medicine arena, not just Chinese medicine) and hopefully he'll clear me to start building miles again. I'm not planning to run the Daytona 5K this year since I haven't been training for speed at all ... but they run a half marathon that finishes on the track the weekend of Daytona 500 qualifying, and that is tempting.

SadieKate

01-07-2013, 11:06 AM

Tri Girl

01-07-2013, 02:31 PM

Making carpooling plans for my first snowshoe race. OMG. :eek:

And totally missed out on funding my retirement when I gave away, instead of selling, all the chemical warmers I had in my gear bag when it was 12F at our annual BadA$$ run.

Ha! Next time you know.
Tell me more about this snowshoeing race. I want to hear more about it!!!

Oakleaf- the ACE inhibitor was what was causing me so much trouble (no beta blockers for sure). I asked to change back to a calcium-channel blocker which is what I was on before (granted, it wasn't working, but there are other meds and other doses we can try to find one that works).

SadieKate

01-07-2013, 07:41 PM

The US running snowshoe championships (http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon_Activities_Recreation/US-Snowshoe-Nationals/)are here in Bend this year so a bunch of races have cropped up. The first one I'm doing is up on Mt Hood on 1/20. We even have a Facebook group that runs together every Saturday.

It's been a load of fun but I have no idea what to expect at a snowshoe race.

Veronica

01-08-2013, 02:50 AM

That does sound like fun! I'm picturing my dad's snowshoes from 40 years ago. I hope technology has changed some. :D

Veronica

SadieKate

01-08-2013, 07:19 AM

Teeny, tiny . . . . thank goodness.

http://www.dionsnowshoes.com/mo121srafr.html

katluvr

01-08-2013, 12:18 PM

3 runs complete thus far this month! I did run on Sunday...short and slow but I got out there. I did 5 today. Whew...amazing how quickly you can lose endurance and fitness! It is very, very spring like here. Low barely into the 60's and it hit 82 today. I must admit I am loving the mild Florida January. But definitely have to get out to run early since it is so much warmer!

K

SadieKate

01-08-2013, 12:34 PM

Look, Veronica, you can barely see the shoes under my delicate tootsies. :p

15889

Veronica

01-08-2013, 02:30 PM

Wow! How cool! It looks so pretty. Do you always have a trail?

Veronica

Crankin

01-09-2013, 03:38 AM

That does look fun. I sometimes run downhill in my snowshoes, but I think I'd need shorter ones to run on a flat. Mine are small, woman specific, but seem kind of big to really run in.
I went for a short run-walk yesterday (2.4 miles). We are having a January thaw, and I had to get outside. It's plenty warm enough to ride, (40s), but there's sand, salt, and melting snow/ice that i don't want to deal with. It's supposed to be 60 on Sunday.

SadieKate

01-09-2013, 09:08 AM

We don't always have a trail but you need a balance between snow depth and flotation from your s-shoes. I'm not going to scale a mountain in deep snow in these things. At some point, the conditions require hiking when you'd do best with traditional larger shoes and boots. Additionally, you wear your running shoes which means you have no added support or stability from your equipment, or a huge amount of protection for wet feet. Think of how you choose a bike, the gnarlier the trail the bigger the tire, more suspension, more stability with agility, etc., but a skinny tire TT bike works well on a straight, flat road.

If you have nice groomed SS trails, you want speedster shoes - small and lightweight. If you have groomed, twisty singletrack, you REALLY want small and lightweight for the agility to get around tight corners. S-shoes designed for running are pretty minimal and very lightweight, even compared to standard S-shoes designed for just a walk in the woods. Just a note, the US Snowshoes Assoc does have minimum size requirement for racing.

Here's a couple links. Now you'll know more than you ever wanted. :p

Crankin, S-shoe racing is a much bigger deal out east. You could easily find some events!

http://www.runnersworld.com/cold-weather-running/how-run-snowshoes

http://www.irunfar.com/2010/01/snowshoe-running-basics-why-and-how.html

PS - I guess all the above gives away that I'm building a stable of snowshoes also. :rolleyes:

katluvr

01-09-2013, 09:53 AM

Another run! Trying hard to be consistent! Not a very exciting run but did the 3.4 mile loop. I was very slow. Tired from yesterday? Or was it the heat? 75 degrees this AM, maybe warmer and sunny! I can't complain it is beautiful, but no cool winter miles this year it seems! I know this won't last and, again, I am not complaining. Makes it easier to get my butt out of bed and out to run if it is not cold (wimp!).

Crankin

01-09-2013, 11:51 AM

You run in wet, snowy shoes? Nah, I think I'll stay with the hiking aspect.
And, I wouldn't do well with DFL. You guys are way more competitve than me, but I can live vicariously through you!

SadieKate

01-09-2013, 12:22 PM

No, I don't run in wet, snowy shoes as long as I match the snowshoes to the conditions, as in I don't go hiking off trail in running snowshoes. Re-read my discussion of picking the right shoes for the purpose.

skhill

01-11-2013, 05:46 AM

It was 55F when I woke up this morning! but with rain and wind. So it was back to the treadmill for me. 4 miles in 32:36; can't seem to do my treadmill 4 faster than that. But I will!! I'd really like to break 32 minutes by spring.

Anelia

01-12-2013, 01:50 AM

Rather slow run (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/260942350) but this was a safe run through the snow and ice. Also my longest one so I did not want to bonk. Also on Sportstracker (http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/AneliyaKaragyozyan/elv2fhn6oaa130th), 2200 feet ascent :)

skhill

01-12-2013, 07:02 AM

No snowshoeing around here-- it was 60F at 6 am today! So I put on my favorite shorts and instantly felt fast and strong while walking around the house (love those magic shorts). It was weird to head out the door with bare head and hands in January. And by the end of the first mile I was wishing I had worn short sleeves, it was so warm and humid. There were lots of other runners out this pre-dawn morning-- how often is there a weekend morning this warm in January? (Maybe once a century or so). It ended up being a bit of a slog due to the wind, but I got in 7 miles, and saw the start of a lovely sunrise, thanks to the lengthening days.

Hope everyone else has a good weekend!

indysteel

01-12-2013, 08:04 AM

Ugh; I just had my worst run in a few months. I ran after a yoga class. That may have been mistake number one. I do better if I ran first thing or a couple of hours after lunch. Then I overdressed for 56 degrees. That was mistake number two. Third mistake is that I've been a bit undermedicated for my thyroid, so my HR is a bit elevated. Oh well, tomorrow's another day.

Tri Girl

01-13-2013, 03:10 PM

Today I did a virtual half marathon with my husband and one other friend. We did the Sandy Hook Memorial virtual half. I signed up online, printed my bib and the money went to the United Way Sandy Hook victims fund. It was super cold at the start (temps were 21*F with a wind chill of 5*F and a stiff north wind). It didn't matter, tho. It wasn't speedy, but that wasn't the point of this run. At each half mile I would look down at my bib and say one name to the beat of my breathing and footstrikes for that whole half mile. No music and no distractions today. Just 27 angels running with me in a pack and keeping me company. When it was "their" half mile- I imagined them coming to the front to run beside me. I imagined the kids smiling and happy and in a place where love abounds and happiness is always just a glance away. I saw the faces of my own students and faculty as we ran. It was the most peaceful and beautiful run I've ever had.
The Lego Duplo block was what I made for the 15 people who RSVP'd on FB to run with me. I thought the blocks were a great symbolism for the kids and their innocence. Only 3 of us braved the cold, tho.

Oh, and I finally figured out my blood pressure meds. I figured it out in that I stopped taking them. I was off them for 3 days while I was waiting on her to call me back. While off them, I monitored my BP in the mornings and in the evenings and it was below 120/85 most every time. That is within the safe zone, so I'm going to count it good and try to stay off them. And no, I didn't bother to discuss this with my doc. I'm not sure she has a clue anyway after talking with her about it over the phone (I seemed to know more about the differences between ACE inhibitors and Calcium channel blockers than she did). I think the dizziness I was experiencing when first switching to the Lisinopril was because my BP was too low. Yep, just call me Dr. Trigirl (and watch me slowly kill myself). I'll talk to the real doc (not the PA) about it when I go in next time.

Crankin

01-14-2013, 07:26 AM

Good work, Tri Girl.
I did a measly 30 minutes on the treadmill, 3 minutes running, 2 minutes walking. I upped my speed on every interval, until the last one was at 6.2. I can't tell you how hard it is for me to run for 3 minutes at any speed. It just never seems to get easier for me, but I keep doing it, albeit, sporadically.

Tri Girl

01-14-2013, 12:47 PM

I did a measly 30 minutes on the treadmill, 3 minutes running, 2 minutes walking. I upped my speed on every interval, until the last one was at 6.2. I can't tell you how hard it is for me to run for 3 minutes at any speed. It just never seems to get easier for me, but I keep doing it, albeit, sporadically.

Measly nothing! Intervals are hard on the treadmill!!! I'm the same way- it never gets easier, I just keep plugging away. Great job! :)

indysteel

01-15-2013, 11:30 AM

Wow; that's great, Tri Girl. Good on you! And good job Crankin! I can relate to how you feel. It's gotten a bit easier this winter, but last winter, running was rough. I never felt like I made any progress. And the only reason that I feel like I made some progress this winter is that I slowed down my average pace by a about 20-30 seconds a mile. It doesn't sound a huge difference, but it's been the difference between me having to stop every 15 minutes or so and being able to run straight through. I still have a lot of progress I want to make in terms of distance, but I'm okay with that pace for now. Mentally, it's the stopping and starting that bums me out the most.

I ran 4 miles yesterday. It was about 24 degrees and I was sporting my new Sporthill (pun intended) Saga tights. I was slightly underwhelmed in that I was expecting them to be a bit toastier. They weren't much warmer, and somewhat less comfortable, than my Sugoi Sub Zeros. I'm increasingly resigned to the fact that I'm just going to have to double up my layers for temps that cold. Or run faster.....:rolleyes:

OakLeaf

01-15-2013, 11:59 AM

TriGirl, that brought a tear to my eye...

I'm still pretty up in the air. Turns out it isn't my plantar fascia, it's my Achilles right where it attaches underneath the heel. :( I got that acupuncture needle right in it after all ... which wasn't nearly as bad as I'd been dreading, though it did feel pretty bruised for the better part of 24 hours. Slathering with Traumeel and saran wrap, 20 minutes of electrical stimulation a day, and it seems to be healing nicely, touch wood.

Everything else is on the right track, too. Keeping hope alive in spite of really needing more mileage than I've been able to safely build. I did almost 11 today, most I've done since my heel went out, and I had almost zero numbness in my legs during the run, hardly any popping in my neck afterward; chest, shoulders and arms are better than they've been. 89 days and counting - it could still happen. I <3 my acupuncture doctor/all-around sports med guy.

Crankin

01-15-2013, 03:26 PM

Bed is still open, Oak.

indysteel

01-15-2013, 04:44 PM

My fingers and toes are crossed for you, Oak!

Artista

01-16-2013, 05:42 AM

Oak, what are you working towards in 89 days?

OakLeaf

01-16-2013, 09:15 AM

Boston Marathon. I actually qualified after I originally got hurt, but before the injuries snowballed. Still keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks Crankin. I'll PM you in a day or two. And thanks Indy. :)

Artista

01-16-2013, 10:46 AM

Goodness, Oak...I remembered that you qualified for something big but couldn't remember which one it was. Sending healing wishes your way.

katluvr

01-16-2013, 05:24 PM

This weekend I'm doing a 5K and 10K. Do this race every year and love the combo. We have been having spring like weather here, but it always gets cold the weekend of this race. This year is no different but it just appears to be more seasonable. Last couple of years this has been the 5K I've managed to break the sub 30 min in the 5k (yes, I'm not very speedy). Not sure that will happen this year. I ran an easy paced 6.2 miles yesterday in this wonderful spring weather, walking a bit along the water front to just enjoy! Plan to try and up my pace tomorrow for about 3 miles in preparation for this weekend!

K

skhill

01-17-2013, 07:28 AM

Well, I completely overslept this morning, so missed out on my run. Probably needed an unscheduled rest day anyway. But yesterday, the ice sent me to the treadmill, where I managed 4 miles in 32:06. Oh so close to that 8 minute mile...

Artista

01-18-2013, 07:43 AM

I'm just starting to run again after a 6 week hiatus to let my ankle heal after having hardware removed. I discovered trail running the week before surgery. Running on trails is so enjoyable that I can't imagine ever running on pavement again.

I managed 2.3 miles yesterday of run/walk. Have to ease back into constant running while the bones continue to strengthen. I now have enough additional range of motion in my ankle to run UP hills without knee pain.

It's hard to believe that the woman who despised beginning running last February now looks forward to it:)

skhill

01-19-2013, 05:24 AM

Welcome back, arista!

As it's looking to be bitterly cold on Monday, I did my traditional MLK day run today. Started off running the length of my city's MLK Ave., then wound my way back home going past assorted sites with connections to local black history. This time that included 6 historic African-American churches, one of which has a hidey-hole in the bell tower that sheltered passengers on the underground railroad. On the depressing side, went past the site of a slave jail and the auction blocks (separate ones for house and field slaves). On the more positive side, I also included 4 schools that were part of the colored school system and the site of another, and did a quarter mile on the track at the old colored high school. Wound up the run going by a new elementary school named for William Wells Brown, the first African-American novelist who happened to have been born here (as a slave) and the cemetary. It was just shy of 7 miles, and that pretty much ignored the sites on the east side of town. It was not a fast run at all, as I stopped to read a lot of historical markers. Local history and running, what a great combination!

indysteel

01-19-2013, 10:27 AM

No run today, but DH and I met three other couples for the annual winter hike that the Friends of Brown County State Park put on. It was a lovely day for it--sunny skies and warm temps. Then we had lunch at the park lodge.

I ran about 3 yesterday. I don't know what was going on, but I felt kind of asthmatic. I don't have asthma though, or at least I don't think I do, so go figure. I took a bunch of breaks and spent the rest of the night clearing my lungs.

katluvr

01-19-2013, 10:38 AM

So had my race today. Upper 50's start of race. Sunny by second race and warm. So did "ok" on the 5K, knew I would not do a sub 30 min, but I did OK and finished in 31:17. That placed me 8/23 for my age group. Damn, these women are fast. Had about 45 minutes until the start of the 10k. Don't know what I was thinking but did not bring any Gu or such. They had post 5K food, but I didn't want real food and didn't think that I was actually doing 9 miles today! Took it pretty easy on the 10k, took some walk breaks. Tried to just enjoy it. FInished in 1hr 8 min and some odd seconds. Didn't place very high there but got it done. There were VERY few that did the "Duo". Only 2 in my age group so I finished 1st in the Duo! Cool, huh? I don't think I'll ever really win a race, but my combined times (and small amount of Duo ladies) helped me actually get an award. Sadly I left before the awards, but just to see my name on the computer list that I won something is pretty cool!

K

Anelia

01-19-2013, 12:37 PM

Yesterday's run (http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/AneliyaKaragyozyan/dupeilv4vhg64v2m) and HR on Garmin (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/263259815). I had again these side pains that are killing me on the downhills :( I had to slow down then.

nuliajuk

01-20-2013, 05:27 AM

I wasn't going to start running until the middle of February, intending to get some cross-country ski fitness first. Yesterday I lasted only 10 minutes on the ski trail as I'd brought the wrong gloves and my fingers were screaming from the wind chill of -32ºC. (Note to self - find the old boiled wool mitts to wear over the gloves.)
So, I took a pair of shoes I'd found at Winners for $50 and went to the Fieldhouse track to attempt some running. Not bad - walked 200/ran 200 for 8 repeats, walked 400 to cool down. The shoes worked great, they have the nice firm midsoles that I've been having trouble finding. I'm going back to Winners today to see if there are any left in my size (haven't seen this model in any running store). Thanks to being on industrial strength anti-inflammatories for shoulder tendonitis, I don't have much soreness today. Which is good, because my doctor has ordered me out of the pool for a week, so I needed something to do other than ski or ride the turbo trainer.

skhill

01-21-2013, 08:14 AM

Katluvr, that's awesome! Doing a back to back 5k and 10k is nuts. And congratulations on winning the duo; my first age group win was also my first age group last place, but it was still a thrill...

Back to the treadmill today as it was about 20F this morning. Did 5 miles this time, and it struck me that an 8:30 pace felt slow-- how did that happen? A couple years ago a 9:00 pace would have been a bit of a challenge. The next couple days will be on the treadmill if anything, as it's supposed to be around 10F both mornings. Yuck. Might try out the new rowing machine just for kicks.

indysteel

01-21-2013, 05:12 PM

Five miles on the treadmill today. I felt really good, which was encouraging given that a couple of last week's runs didn't feel so good.

OakLeaf

01-21-2013, 05:26 PM

Very nice kat! Woot for everyone doing those cold weather and/or indoor runs.

I did 14 today, WAY slow. I kind of did a dogleg at the end to get over 14 miles, because it was just important to me symbolically to tick over that mile. I stopped after four to re-tape my heel, and it pretty much hung in there the rest of the way. Plenty of ice afterward, cross-fiber friction, Traumeel, electro-stim... I think part of the reason I was so slow is because I was concentrating on opposite ends of my body. My ankles and lower legs to protect my PF and Achilles, and then on the other end, keeping my neck long and my head aligned. Neck feels good. Heel is hanging in there. I'm way behind where I'd like to be, but I was looking at some free online training plans for reference, that call for a 14-mile long run 12 weeks out, so I'm right on that schedule anyway. Next week if all goes well, hopefully I'll do the 15-mile loop around the airport, and that will be a symbolic milestone too.

SadieKate

01-21-2013, 09:37 PM

Congrats, Kat. Two races on the same day with any kind of break is tough. Warming back up ain't easy.

Jeez, Oak, I'd need a checklist to keep track of all that prep and post treatment. It'd be hard to get out the door with all that.

My first snowshoe race is in the bag. What a variety of terrain. They started us on a wide icy road that went up "The Wall" and then careened off onto fresh cut singletrack traversing a soft slope. Amazing amounts of the 4k loop, which we did twice, were freshly cut trail. They even cut steps up a ridge. Much of the course was absolute mashed potatoes. I perfected my windmill technique on the downhills in hopes I'd get a time bonus for artistic effort. Yeah. we got to go up that wall twice - 400+ feet gain in the first mile of each loop.

If we're reading the rules correctly, I also qualified for Nationals. Now, you have to realize that the top 5 in your age group qualify and there were only 5 of us. However, the next level of qualification was to finish within 130% of your age group winner's time. Since a slew of women in their 50s usually show up for races an in our areas and many are incredibly fast, I've been focusing on the 130% time goal. Fortunately, I've been training every weekend trying to keep insight the seriously fast woman who did win the age group (a former Nike-sponsored racer). I'm stoked that I met the 130% with minutes to spare. I know I would have qualified even if I'd DFL'd but I blasted through my hoped for time. I'm delirious.

Back to training now though. The next races are full 10Ks. You know how long it takes to run through 10 kilometers of mashed potatoes?

1592915930

Crankin

01-22-2013, 06:32 AM

Congrats.
That sounds like serious competition!

skhill

01-22-2013, 07:39 AM

SadieKate, that sounds like so much fun. I've never been on snow shoes, but we spent a lot of christmas breaks CC skiing when I was growing up, and snowy woods are so beautiful. But I don't miss the cold!

As it was the coldest morning in 2 years, it was the treadmill, as expected. Some guy I don't know was giving me a hard time about running in VFFs, saying they would ruin my feet and leave me crippled, basically. Of course my 2 years in VFFs have been injury free and I'm running much faster and easier than before. Some people... Today's 5 miles put that pair of VFFs over 1000 miles, btw, making them an economical shoe as well.

Catrin

01-22-2013, 07:42 AM

Congrats Sadie, and good luck! Oak, that is seriously good news that you made it over the mark you wanted to make and your neck is behaving...wooooo :)

Katluvr, that is very cool that you did back to back races like that. I need to think of you women when I am challenged by a couple of laps around the track!

SadieKate

01-22-2013, 08:37 AM

Thanks, guys. Now I'm extra glad I focused on that time because I just found out that the 3rd overall women was in my age group. Honest to goodness, do all the fast old ladies live in Oregon? But I'm listed on the official qualified athletes page. Woohoo!

skhill, our race wasn't cold. I wish I'd worn a t-shirt. I didn't wear gaiters because I opted for wet feet instead of spontaneously combusting feet. I have to say running is so much more fun below 60F.

BTW, Catrin, I'd be challenged by laps around the track. I hate the track. It's all headology. If my brain isn't required to prevent up close and personal encounters with the ground, it b!thces and whines, and generally throws a temper tantrum. Basically, it focuses on every little ache and pain. Running on a track would be purgatory.

Tri Girl

01-23-2013, 05:48 PM

Kat- NICE job!!! :) Impressive runs on those back-to-backs!!! The shorter stuff is always harder for me because you have to go so darn fast. ;)

Oak- great job on your 14! :)

Sadie- LOVE the pictures! Congrats on your snowshoe race!!! :D OK- so not only did you have fun and enjoyed it- you qualified for Nationals. SWEET!!!! :)

Keep it going, ladies! Reading about your runs keeps me inspired!

skhill

01-24-2013, 08:44 AM

4th day in a row on the treadmill. This frigid weather could go straight back to North Dakota and no one would much mind! I intended to go 5 miles today, but stopped at 4.5. Turns out that "Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart" by Camper van Beethoven runs exactly that long at the pace I was going! I'd just put the album on my mp3 player last night, and hadn't listened to it in ages. It was really strange, there was one point when I was running that I remembered so vividly listening to the same song nearly 25 years ago on my walkman, while riding in a van on a school trip heading to the Junior Classical League convention. Remembered the view out the window, the road we were on, the other people in the van, so very vividly. The mind (and memory) is such a wondrous and mysterious thing!

I'm very hopeful that I may actually get to run outside sometime next week. If the warmer weather doesn't bring rain, that is...

Anelia

01-25-2013, 09:01 AM

Garmin HR and pace (http://connect.garmin.com/activity/265783055) and Sportstracker (http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/AneliyaKaragyozyan/8mi7gsgr2sl9u2ud).
I named my run Charity because I fed a cat who is homeless and lives on the steps that I run on :)

Tri Girl

01-26-2013, 10:01 AM

I have done yoga every day for the last 2 weeks... and have run only 3 times in the last 2 weeks. It's not that I don't want to run, I'm just loving yoga more at the moment. I NEED to get back out there... but my mat keeps calling me. Le sigh....

OakLeaf

01-26-2013, 10:14 AM

TriGirl, how far away is your yoga studio (or are you doing your own practice at home)? I've been running about four miles to yoga and back once or twice a week. It means using their mat, but I bring a hand towel, water and a gel for after class. I'm really liking that!

SK, wow, very nice!

I'm still hanging in there ... going to blow off running today since I've got a bunch of walking around to do, which seems to be harder on my Achilles than running is. Probably short and easy tomorrow, then try for a long run Monday. Little by little.

Tri Girl

01-26-2013, 02:28 PM

The gym is only .25 mile away, and the class I go to is from 7-8 at night. I need to start walking to work and running the long way home a couple times a week to get in some mileage. You mentioning running to yoga reminded me I could do that! Thanks! :)

bluejellybean

01-26-2013, 06:57 PM

I injured my achilles and haven't run for a week...it's nearly killing me but I've been doing hot yoga and cycling everyday to get me through it! I have osteoarthritis in my hands so while the weather is cooler, it is the best thing...warmth right to the core before heading out on the bike! :)

I have done yoga every day for the last 2 weeks... and have run only 3 times in the last 2 weeks. It's not that I don't want to run, I'm just loving yoga more at the moment. I NEED to get back out there... but my mat keeps calling me. Le sigh....

Catrin

01-27-2013, 05:05 AM

Yesterday I had to run 200 meters between rounds of back-squats and I noted that it didn't tire me out near like what it once did. My knee even seemed happy with it - though it would have likely been even more happy if I had been in my running shoes rather than cross-fit shoes. I am beginning to wonder if it is time to try some gentle run/walking outside on dirt to see what that feels like when the weather permits... Please note I didn't say that I was running very fast, but I wasn't doing it for time. I suspect that I should probably wait to start trying this until after my 70 flights of stairs in early March...

Tri Girl

01-27-2013, 02:58 PM

Did a virtual half marathon today (well, the race was virtual- the run was real). ;)
It was a crappy day for a run outside- the wind was 30mph and it wiped me out. But any day I get to run is a good day! :)
I had to sit down to take my picture at the end... and I didn't even get my head in it. ;)
I'm doing the 13 in 2013 challenge, so this was half marathon #2 for the year.

bluejellybean

01-27-2013, 06:01 PM

Congrats! Maybe resting your run muscles with yoga has helped! I like the idea of 13 in 2013...I might do that just as personal challenge, not necessarily races, just my own 13 1/2's! I always need something to "complete"!

Did a virtual half marathon today (well, the race was virtual- the run was real). ;)
It was a crappy day for a run outside- the wind was 30mph and it wiped me out. But any day I get to run is a good day! :)
I had to sit down to take my picture at the end... and I didn't even get my head in it. ;)
I'm doing the 13 in 2013 challenge, so this was half marathon #2 for the year.

Artista

01-27-2013, 06:01 PM

Wow! Running in 30mph wind! I can't imagine running in that kind of wind even if it was behind me. Nice core btw;)

I got to ride all weekend. I'll get a short run in tomorrow morning.

skhill

01-28-2013, 06:11 AM

If anyone had peeked into my kitchen at 5am this morning, they would have seen me doing a happy dance while feeding the cats. For the first time in over a week, the weather was good enough to run outside! Actually, with sustained winds near 20mph and rain just ending, I'd normally consider it marginal, but it was 45F and I'm sick of the treadmill. Went 6.5 miles, faster than I meant to, and the tall-building induced gusts downtown were exciting. Thankfully, it was a tailwind on the last mile going home.

I'm really feeling for my local running friends who are trying to train for spring marathons and halfs. I'm focused on building speed this winter, and the treadmill can actually be positive for that. But trying to get in a 15+ mile run in this unseasonable cold has been tough. One friend cancelled a date on Saturday in favor of going for her long-delayed long run...

OakLeaf

01-31-2013, 02:02 PM

Well I didn't exactly mean to do 34 miles and two yoga classes in the last five days ... I guess that's what happens when you have a magic 8-ball for a coach and you aren't doing much cycling. :rolleyes: The good news is I feel pretty much okay. Meat for dinner tonight, and a couple of easy days (maybe I can even find the motivation for a road bike ride!).

Really gotta get some speedwork in. I'm just so nervous with all the injuries. I did do a few little pick-ups at the end of my 8-miler yesterday though.

Getting there.