Spook-tacular October Running

[katluvr]

Had a great 5 mile run today. Great because I felt good. Great because I actually could make it a progression run and was able to pick up my pace.

I am having more soreness in my quads. Not sure if it is just because I am ramping up my running pretty quickly to make up for a lost week. Or maybe it's the extra weight. Maybe I'm just pounding too hard. Or maybe it's just something I don't remember since I have been so hap hazard in my running over the last year.

K

[rocknrollgirl]

I am still trying to recover from last w/e's race. I have never been this sore. I am over it at this point.

GLC, I hope your foot is ok.

[skhill]

This morning I found myself sitting on the couch fully dressed to run and just not wanting to. So I didn't. Instead I changed into dog-walking shoes and grabbed a jacket and gave the dog an extra-long extra-early walk. Figure my body was trying to tell me something, even though I feel fine.

[OakLeaf]

Well THAT was the hardest training run I've done in a very long time.

2 x 3 miles at/near target HM pace, with 5 minutes rest between. Good news is that both intervals were within 4 sec/mile of my target pace (8:25), bad news is that the second one was slower (8:29 vs 8:22 for the first one). But I think the back side of the one hill is steeper and longer than the outbound side.

I just ate an entire can of tuna fish and I think I'm going to need more protein before the night is over. :cool:

PR at Columbus may be possible. Maybe.

[GLC1968]

Today was the first day that I felt safe running on my poor foot. So I did.

I went out at lunch and I had no garmin, no phone and only my work watch which bounced on my wrist when I ran so I had to hold it in my hand the whole time. I guessed on my route (trying to remember from 2 years ago when I used to run these roads!) hoping I'd get 4 miles out of it. I was also worried that I wouldn't have time to eat because of a pending meeting, so I hoofed it.

I did 4.27 miles in 45 minutes. I know that's slow for most of you, but this is HUGE for me. That is my pre-injury run pace! I CAN run like I used to...I just need the motivation to do so! (It helped that it was only 60F out, too). I'll be real curious to see if my foot feels OK come tomorrow morning.

[OakLeaf]

Yay GLC! Hope your foot is even better in the morning.

I'm just the right amount of sore from yesterday, which makes me super happy. Went for a short easy ride with a couple of friends this morning to spin my legs out. Yay.

[rocknrollgirl]

Glad you guys are having a good week. I was finally able to walk down the stairs today with a death grip hold on the rail, AND able to sit on the toilet without wincing in pain. TMI? Nah....we are runners.


Still sore to touch but so much improved. Group mt bike ride Sat, so I am reallyhoping I am feeling good.

My big news of the day was that one of my students brough her pet hedgehog to school. Very cute wee beastie.

[yellow]

OMG! I love hedgehogs!!!! <3

RnR, ah, yes, the sitting-on-the-toilet problem. Happens to me at least once a year :p

GLC, I hope your foot is OK tomorrow. I am so glad you are doing so well!

I am officially "not running". For a while, anyway. Just walking. Long story that is years in the making and too long to roll out here, but I have a long list of issues and after discussion with my doc (a triathlete, so she gets it) & PT (also an athlete), the consensus was to roller ski or walk. Since I don't have roller skis (and I have a hubby on furlough and thus am not spending money for nonessentials), walking it is. Good grief, it takes FOREVER to walk 4 miles, even at a pretty quick pace. It's only been a week, but I already really miss running :(

[Owlie]

Today was the first day that I felt safe running on my poor foot. So I did.

I went out at lunch and I had no garmin, no phone and only my work watch which bounced on my wrist when I ran so I had to hold it in my hand the whole time. I guessed on my route (trying to remember from 2 years ago when I used to run these roads!) hoping I'd get 4 miles out of it. I was also worried that I wouldn't have time to eat because of a pending meeting, so I hoofed it.

I did 4.27 miles in 45 minutes. I know that's slow for most of you, but this is HUGE for me. That is my pre-injury run pace! I CAN run like I used to...I just need the motivation to do so! (It helped that it was only 60F out, too). I'll be real curious to see if my foot feels OK come tomorrow morning.

Awesome. (And you run faster than I do, injury or no!)

[skhill]

GLC, that's great! And isn't it kinda liberating to run without the gadgetry once in a while?

I'm starting to transition in to more conventional shoes than my beloved VFFs for winter. The VFFs are just not warm enough to wear outside in freezing temps, at least for me. So I got a pair of Altra Intuition on Monday, and have run in them twice. They're OK, but a lot heavier than I'm used to. They're definitely warmer! which isn't so good now, as it's been unusually warm this week.

Planning on running our fire department's 4.03 mile race Sunday afternoon-- the distance is in honor of the 403 firefighters and cops who were killed in NY on 9/11. But there's a good chance of thunderstorms then, so who knows. Fingers crossed.

[OakLeaf]

Aw, (((((yellow))))). Hoping it does turn out to be just for a while. And that the "while" is short. Will you be able to xc ski when there's snow on the trails?

skhill, maybe you could run in Lems ... no more insulation than VFFs have, but you could get them big enough to wear heavier socks?

RnR, yeppers. Feel better soon.

Still trying to decide how far to run today. I'd like to get a 14-miler in today or tomorrow, but I don't know if I'm quite up to it today, and if I do it tomorrow it means skipping the club ride. I kinda need the company right now, maybe more than I need the run.


ETA - Ten was all I had in me today. I woke up this morning feeling like yesterday's turd in tomorrow's outhouse and didn't feel much better as the day went on. The route I chose, I had to make a decision just four miles out, but I'm glad I decided to keep it short, because I was pretty much flagging on the hills by halfway. It still gives me 35 for the week, a lot of it pretty hard, so it's all good.

[GLC1968]

RnR - here's hoping that you are recovered soon. I know that toilet issue very well!

Yellow - so sorry to hear about the walking! I know how much that sucks. I walked a 1/2 marathon last Dec because I wasn't cleared to run in time to train for it and OMG...that was torture. I had two wonderful friends who agreed to walk it with me but even with company, it was dreadful. I'll NEVER do that again! If I can't run, I'll switch to swimming or something else. Just walking was not my cup of tea.

skhill - I have the Altra intuitions but I don't like them for running. They just don't fit my foot right so they cause toe issues. I run in the NB Minimus and if you get them big enough, a pair of wool socks would likely keep you toasty in winter. I do want to try the Lems that Oak suggested though. I think they'd work well for me too.

My foot is a little sore today, but not even enough to necessitate limping...so I'm pleased. I'll be doing a quick 3 miler this evening, biking tomorrow and then Sunday will be my last long run (only 8 miles) before the 1/2 next weekend. The 10 day forecast (which is almost never right around here) is predicting 58F and rain on my race day. Ick. At least now I know how to dress for that weather! ;-)

[katluvr]

I managed to get out and do my scheduled 8 miler this AM. First mile my legs were really heavy but I was able to pick up my pace a bit. Overall my pace is still really slow but I do have some quicker moments every now and then. My quads are really taking a beating. I think for my next long one I''ll put on my compression sleeves (isn't that what the footless ones are called?) to see if that helps.

K

[yellow]

Aww, thanks, all. But, you know, I'm pretty much OK with taking a little break. I have been running significant miles for the last 3 years, with a pretty substantial injury in there, and I just need a break. I think that substantial injury (last July, the hamstring tear) was the beginning of the saga that has put me where I am right now. I will get through it and be fine. I am doing as much yoga (or, as I call it yogi, as in Yogi Bear) as I can, but with my recent shoulder separation, I can't do too much without the shoulder giving me fits. :p So...I will continue to walk, and do my PT. At least it's a nice time of the year to be walking/hiking around! I actually got mopey-furlough hubby to walk with me this evening. I hope this furlough thing is over with sooner rather than later so I can have my happy hubby back.

Kat, I will often sleep in my compression tights if my legs are feeling beat. Might be psychosomatic, but I swear they feel better then next day when I do that.

[rocknrollgirl]

Yellow that is funny, we call yoga "yogurt" in our house. Silly. Do you have hot yoga by you? It is fantastic for getting things loose.

Well, one week post race. I am finally feeling better. A few sore spots and my one ankle is stiff. Other than that, better. I do not feel like running yet, so we are doing our first mt bike of the fall season today with some of hubby's Merry Men. They kick my butt on the road all summer, but I have more mt bike experience, so my redemption is at hand!! I just hope my legs do not tell me where to go as soon as I start to pedal. I have this sinking suspicion that as soon as we get near the trail my whole body is just going to scream...Noooooooooooo! and refuse to get out of the car!

I will report back. Enjoy your running today everyone. Yellow, have a lovely hike. I look forward to everyone's update later.

[skhill]

I'll have to check out Lems, sounds interesting. But I think the Altra will work well for me. They fit quite well, after all. Just need to get used to the weight-- and that'll just make my legs stronger, right? One unexpected thing: I feel like my form is better going downhill in them than in my VFFs.

Today was going to be a long run, but there was way too much eating, drinking, and making merry last night. And the humid 70F at dawn didn't help either! So I just did 6 miles. Still, it was my highest mileage week since the end of July, so it's all OK.

[Veronica]

I did five miles today - haven't run that far since June! I think my rehab work is paying off. I averaged a 10:14 pace for the five miles. Not a blistering pace, but since I've been running on average 2-3 miles once or twice a week, I feel pretty good about it.

Veronica

[Crankin]

I ran again today, as the beginner's ride I was supposed to lead was a no-go due to rain. I did the same route as Thursday, but it didn't feel so easy today. DH came with me. So, I would say, I did more walking (walked up the big hill), but ran at the same pace. Before I started my left heel and top of my foot felt a bit achy, which continued, and was a big part of why I felt like doing some walking intervals. The heel thing, not sure from what, but the other is an old stress fracture area, that I have to baby. Something I did in boot camp a couple of weeks ago irritated it.
I was thinking of GLC's advice about what to wear in the rain when it's 54 degrees out, and I pretty much followed it and it worked. It was just misting/sprinkling, but I was wet enough when I got home, but not soaked. About 5 minutes later, it started pouring out! So, 3 miles, I ran about 2.5 of them.

[katluvr]

Waited for the heavy rains to clear before I headed out for my run. I was seriously losing all motivation to run or do anything! It was suppose to be an easy 3 miles before tomorrow's planned 9 miles. Easy I said. But legs heavy, it was muggy after the rain, it was just a lot of work to get through those 3 "easy" miles. Nothing was easy about it at all! I wonder if my legs have not recovered from Friday's 8 miles? I am having to crunch some of my longer miles closer together due to work schedule, family and friend plans (the usual life stuff). I'll try to rest up some today, eat better tonight, avoid crappy draft beer at the baseball playoff game tonight!

K

[skhill]

Kat, did you get to go to the Ray's game? That's awesome. Last time I went to a postseason baseball game, it was the big red machine days. And as a 6 yr old, the high cost and low quality of beer was not an issue.

Well, after the 3+ inches of rain over the weekend, fall has arrived. It was 45F when I ran this morning! Did my planned 6 miles. Some of it was very slow, due to all the leaves and other debris on the sidewalk after all the weather, but some of it was very fast too. There was a long gentle downhill with a hint of a tailwind that contributed to a 7:58 mile thrown into the mix.

But Sunday's race was called off due to the rain. Just as well; the worst thunderstorms came through shortly after the race was due to start.

[katluvr]

Skhill, going to the game tonight. It's "do or die" again for the Rays. I have tickets for game #4, too.....so we shall see if I get to go to 2 post season games or only 1!

No fall weather here yet at all...but a "cool" front is coming in after this rain. We m

[rocknrollgirl]

First run since my race. I will just call it ugly and let it go at that. I mt biked with the guys on Sat. felt pretty good. Just need to get my run legs going again.

[katluvr]

So last night was the Rays vs Socks playoff game. I ate junk (white food with lots of salt) and enjoyed my baseball game beer. Not the best "pre long run" dinner. Got home after 11 PM (9:30-10 is my normal bedtime) and was midnight before really got in bed. Not making excuses but I was not setting myself up for the best run this AM. These 9 mile were gnarly. The cool front has not come through yet. Although it is pleasant in the shade with a breeze...it is HOT in the sun with no breeze. I turned my 9 mile "run" into a run/walk and it was very, very, slow. I got so hot! I hate it when I feel like I am over heating and I am barely running.

On the bright side. I did 9 miles. Even if a walked some. It was a beautiful day and my long runs take me downtown along the water front and it a beautiful view. I'm not even looking at the time or pace....it really just doesn't matter right now.

Need to rest up. We have ticket for tonights game and it starts at 8:30....you can imagine what time it ends. And it's win or end of the season for us.

K

[limewave]

I have my only running event of the year on Sunday, a trail half marathon. And of course I've developed a very painful, debilitating ovarian cyst. Grrr.

[GLC1968]

I did just shy of 4 miles this morning before breakfast. I'm in TX right now and it was a gorgeous morning! I just love runs like that where the whole time I was appreciative of where I was and really enjoying it.

Tomorrow I'll squeeze in 3 at lunch (at home) and then that's it until my 1/2 marathon on Sunday.

[skhill]

It's just about perfect running weather right now, mid 40s and dry with almost no wind at 6 am. Well, I think it's perfect! I've noticed odors are more vivid in these conditions, whether it's the hash browns at a fast food restaurant or burnt peanuts at the peanut butter factory or the cloud of body spray at the middle-school bus stop. Today I went 7 miles and felt like I could have kept going forever.

Lime, that absolutely stinks. Are you going to try to run through the cyst, or pack it in?

[TrekDianna]

I have a half marathon tomorrow that I've been quite excited about. Unfortunately, yesterday while sitting at a stoplight, a woman on her cellphone rear ended me at full speed. I am not really injured besides the usual neck stiffness -- her car was completely totaled. It looked like an accordion. My Jeep got a few scratches on the trailer hitch. Thankfully, there was policeman in the lane facing me who saw the whole thing. Anyway, I'm stiff and headachy, but my doctor said I could do it if I wanted to. Looks like it might be a run/walk today.

[OakLeaf]

Oh man, TrekDianna and Limewave too! That stinks for both of you. :( :mad:


I managed to get in a couple of good runs while I was in NJ for FIL's funeral. It definitely helped. And a couple of mile repeats on the trail yesterday to get race pace into my legs.

HM a week from tomorrow. Guess I'm as ready as I'm going to get. This could be interesting. :rolleyes:

[Catrin]

So sorry, TrekDianna and Limewave!!!

Rode today, I might trail run tomorrow afternoon depending on how hard the conditioning session is tomorrow morning. I've got a lot of work to do if I have any hopes of doing the quarter trail marathon in Jan...assuming the weather doesn't scare me off on Jan 25 :)

[TrekDianna]

I managed to do the half today even though I was still and my neck hurt. I did end up running/walking etc and did it in about 3 hours. I have another planned at the end of next month and I hope I do much better. I was happy that I stuck it out though. It could have been much worse and it's my first one.

[yellow]

Wow, Dianna, congratulations! Nothing like having your first half marathon be extra challenging! I'm glad you decided to do the event, even if your body and head were not quite in the place you wanted them to be.

I am sure that you will have a better experience at your next one. You have lots of time to recover and restore and now that you've done one you know what to expect.

Oak, you are soooo going to kick that half's bootie :-)

[GLC1968]

Great job, TrekDianna! You should be VERY proud of your accomplishment!

I did a half yesterday too. This same race was my first (and only) half marathon two years ago. It is the race that prompted me to sign up for 3 more in the spring of that year (all of which I had to pull out of due to my injury). The only reason I was signed up for this one in 2013 is because they automatically rolled me over into it for not racing in 2012. When I realized this mid-summer, I was nervous and thinking that I wasn't ready but figured, why not?

Last week, during my taper, my long run was 8 miles. I only managed 7 before I had to walk the last mile home because my foot hurt so badly. Oddly enough, I had no foot trouble for the 11 and 12 mile training runs of the previous weeks. So I was nervous about this race. I was well rested, I ran twice this past week, and the weather was very much to my liking (50's and dry). My plan was to just run. Not to worry about time or pace...just to run and keep it comfortable.

Started out at a good pace but kept it in check. Around mile 3 I started to think "OMG, I still have 10 miles to run? Ugh...I better get comfortable". Right around 6 - 7 miles, I started to lag, so I made the point of observing all the good things about the day. It was beautiful weather, a great temperature, I was doing a nice long run while someone else provided me with water, there were lots of funny outfits to observe, my husband was waiting for me at the finish, etc. As I was doing this, I realized that I did the exact same thing at the exact same spot 2 years ago (course was the same). Now I can't help but wonder if that part of the route was a false-flat or something?! Anyway, I also noticed that everyone was breathing hard but me. I was a bit chilled too, but I was afraid to push any harder for fear that my foot wouldn't make it the full 13.1 miles. I told myself that if I made it to 9 miles without pain, I could consider picking up the pace. When I hit 7, I immediately thought, "Oh goody! Only two more miles before I can run a little harder and warm up some!".

At 8, I picked up the pace just a tad. At 9, the same. By mile 10, I was feeling really good so I opened it up a little more. Between 8 and 12 are where the only two hills on the course fall. I buzzed up both of them, feeling incredibly strong. I flew past everyone! I think I'm built to run hills...I was barely breathing a little faster while everyone else was dying and resting/walking. This is not the first time I've observed this oddity. Go figure.

At mile 12, I realized that I'd just run strongly though the mile where I was dying 2 years ago. Back then, I almost quit. I was certainly hobbling (my hips were all of a sudden killing me). When I realized how good I still felt, I picked it up again. By 12.5, I really let it loose and RAN it in to the finish. I was leaping around people and smiling and having a grand old time. People seemed to like it as I got a ton of cheers! When I crossed the finish line, my husband looks at me and says 'are you even sweating? You look like you just came back from walking the dogs or something!'

Yeah, that means I didn't run it anywhere near as hard as I could have! That's OK. I did the best I could with a bunch of unknowns. Ended up with a 2:22 (had a 2:16 in 2011).

Today my legs are pleasantly tight, but not that sore. My foot is also a tad sore, but nothing major at all. Now I know that I can run 13.1 miles without pain. I also know that with a little more training and some better pacing, I can CRUSH this time during my half marathon in December. Yay!

[Crankin]

Congratulations, GLC. You did a great job.

[OakLeaf]

Very nice GLC and TrekDianna! Great that you could do it without problems, GLC ... TrekDianna, I hope you didn't set your recovery back.

I'm getting over some kind of minor bug. Just about everyone in the family came back with it. It's so pervasive I'd say it was the flu if it weren't so very mild ... it's just that I couldn't eat much for about three days, and I could just feel my muscles breaking down to build white blood cells. :rolleyes: Hopefully it didn't set me back too much.

[TrekDianna]

I am good. I woke up a bit stiff, but walked it out on the morning jaunt to let the chickens out of the barn.

[rocknrollgirl]

Great Job and congrats to both of you! TD way to tough it out and GLC, I am really happy that you had a good day. I was thinking about both of you guys this weekend.
Who is up next Oak?

[Crankin]

And TrekDianna, it's amazing you got through your half. This proves that mental attitude is at least half of it.

[skhill]

Great work, GLC and TrekDianna! Y'all are inspiring!

I was talking to my brother yesterday and he was excited about this Sunday's Columbus Marathon/half (now that's surprising). The church where he's interning this year is near the start line, and has a tradition of serving a pancake breakfast starting at 5:30am for any who want it. He's concerned about how driving there and parking and I suggested he join in the spirit of the day and just run in instead (but he'll probably bike it). If it weren't for having to make arrangements for my dog, I'd probably head up there this weekend just to enjoy the day. Next year I definitely want to do it! (probably the half, not the full 26)

It's been a while since I've done any speedwork at all, so I included some intervals on the track on this morning's run. Felt good to go fast for a bit. Weather permitting, I'll get back on the track later this week and do some more.

[OakLeaf]

The church where he's interning this year is near the start line

Trinity! I don't eat wheat before a race or I'd stop in and say hi ...


He's concerned about how driving there and parking

Heh. I do the same idiot thing every year: I think, "It's not that far, I'll just pick up my packet, get dinner and go home, then drive back in the morning of the race." Then about a week before race day I start getting cold feet about getting up so early in the morning and contending with race traffic, and by then (now) the only hotel rooms available are clear out by the airport, which still cuts the travel time and distance by 2/3 or more, but it hardly matches the convenience of a downtown room that's walking distance from the start and finish. :rolleyes: Sigh.

[TrekDianna]

Thanks all, it was tougher than I thought with the neck injury, but I finished that that was my goal.

GLC, were we at the same one? The Girlfriends Half in Vancouver?

[GLC1968]

I was wonder if that was the case...YES! We were at the same race!

Damn, it would have been nice to say 'hi' to someone! None of my local friends ran it this year so I dragged my husband up there with me to cheer me on. :)

Is it wrong that I'm thinking very seriously of running another half this coming Saturday? There is one in the Corvallis area that I might do...

[TrekDianna]

Oh, if you do, please let me know. That's where I live! I have another planned for Nov 2nd in Sisters. It's a trail half on my regular MTB trail.

[skhill]

Oak, if you do stop by, he's the tall bearded seminarian. If I were to make a spur of the moment decision to go up, I'd definitely run in-- he lives on the course, right around mile 5.5. But he couldn't run 5 miles to save his life...

No run today. It wasn't raining all that hard, but I just don't like running in chilly rain. Don't much like walking the dog in it either, but there's no getting out of that chore.

[GLC1968]

Dianna - I'm going to skip it. As much as I'd love to do it, I really need to focus on my weight loss goals right now and long runs/events like that just throw me off. They make me feel justified in skipping other workouts in the interest of a 'taper' or 'recovery' or fear of having sore legs and not performing correctly...

I bet that run in Sisters will be awesome!

Of course, I'm still shooting to run the half marathon I've signed up for in December at a much better pace than last Sunday. To this end, I did my training run today even though my legs were still a bit sore from Sunday. I did a 5 mile pace run with the middle 3 miles where I was supposed to target a 10:05 pace. I wasn't sure quite how to make that happen, so I just ran a little harder for those miles. I couldn't even use the time they took me very well because there were traffic lights here and there. When I got back to the office, I downloaded my garmin and oddly enough, I did all three of those miles at a 10:22 moving pace. A little slow, but not bad for a first attempt! I'm a bit shocked that they were all the same but I'll take it.

[skhill]

So much for intervals... I took a roundabout route to the track, going slow and enjoying the day. But when I had been at the track for less than 5 minutes, it started raining. I kept on for a bit, then gave up and headed home. By the time I was a quarter mile down the street the rain had stopped. Thought about turning around and going back to the track, but it was a bit chilly to be so wet. So be it.

And what's up with all the extravagant Halloween decorations? Every year it seems like more folks are going over the top. I don't really get it.

[TrekDianna]

Dianna - I'm going to skip it. As much as I'd love to do it, I really need to focus on my weight loss goals right now and long runs/events like that just throw me off. They make me feel justified in skipping other workouts in the interest of a 'taper' or 'recovery' or fear of having sore legs and not performing correctly...

I bet that run in Sisters will be awesome!

Of course, I'm still shooting to run the half marathon I've signed up for in December at a much better pace than last Sunday. .

Where is that one?

[yellow]

That's where I live!
Dianna, hubs and I both went to OSU, College of Forestry. One of these days he wants to go back and run the Mac Forest 50 (http://mac50k.org/)k. I don't think it will be 2014, though, as I have vowed to take an "easy" year and am planning only one long race in June (and he wouldn't go to Corvallis without me). Maybe 2015! Do you ever run in Mac Forest?

skhill, I agree about the over decorating, and it's not just Halloween. Of course I always ask myself, "Where do people store all that stuff???" I prefer nature's fall decorations :)

I am still not running. I'm pretty frustrated because even with the PT and rest (no running or cycling) my problems aren't resolving. I am walking but am challenged by it mentally because it takes FOREVER to get anywhere (and then I only burn 200 calories. Boo.)! Plus it seems that even just walking might be part of the problem my issues aren't becoming less issue-y. I know, it will pass. It still makes me cranky, though! :p

[GLC1968]

Where is that one?

My husband, Susan O. and myself are running the Holiday Half here in Portland. I think it is on Dec 15 and registration is still open. It does fill up though (usually by Halloween).

I also just agreed to consider the Portland Half for next October. Oy.

I did my weight workout last night and followed it up with a brief 2 mile run on the treadmill. I actually only ran about 1.5 miles of it because I wanted to give my old running shoes a shot. I had a feeling they were too tight across the midfoot now (my foot is slightly bigger after the surgery) and sure enough...no go. I had to switch to walking because it was painfully constricting when I ran. It sucks because I really liked those shoes for how they treated my toes. Oddly enough, I have other shoes of the same make (NB Minimus) that still work in terms of width. I think the reason those were so good on my toes was precisely because they were a bit tighter on the midfoot and therefore didn't move around much over the miles. It would explain why the toes on my left foot (the one that was not injured) are getting the crap kicked out of them in all my current shoes. I think they are all too loose on that foot. Maybe I'll have to run in two different sized shoes? That is going to get expensive if that's the case!!

Wait, maybe I'll wear my old pair on my left foot and find something that works on my right one? Who cares if my shoes don't match, right? RIGHT? :cool:

[TrekDianna]

Dianna, hubs and I both went to OSU, College of Forestry. One of these days he wants to go back and run the Mac Forest 50 (http://mac50k.org/)k. I don't think it will be 2014, though, as I have vowed to take an "easy" year and am planning only one long race in June (and he wouldn't go to Corvallis without me). Maybe 2015! Do you ever run in Mac Forest?


Yes! I run and bike in MacForest. It's one of my favorite places. Please let me know if/when you are in the area.

[OakLeaf]

Columbus HM in 1:47:29, which is a PR by over five minutes.

Told you I'd been setting my goals too low.

skhill, I revise my statement. You are definitely faster than me, which means you could probably rock Columbus in 1:40.

My legs ache.....

[Catrin]

Whooohooo! We did several 400 meter runs before and after 10 sets of HARD strength-cardio efforts - and it didn't suc...errrrr hurt as much as in the past. I even managed to pass most of my team-mates without trying and was one of the first to finish rather than DFL. Something appears to be changing :)

[skhill]

Wow, Oak that's awesome! Next year, I definitely have to do it. And my brother had a great time hanging around the start line, even got a bit inspired. Exact quote: "there's people fatter than me running a marathon!" so I've pointed him to some couch to 5k info and who knows? but maybe we'll both be running it next year...

Nothing exciting for me this weekend, just 6 miles on Sat, ending just before the rain started. It's supposed to get downright cold this week, so I've brought out warm hats and socks and mittens. 29F predicted for Thurs morning, hard to believe it!

[Crankin]

Congrats, Oak. That time sounds scary fast to me...

[Catrin]

Columbus HM in 1:47:29, which is a PR by over five minutes.

Told you I'd been setting my goals too low.

skhill, I revise my statement. You are definitely faster than me, which means you could probably rock Columbus in 1:40.

My legs ache.....

This is just awesome Oak, congratulations!

[rocknrollgirl]

WOOT!!!!!!! Great Job Oak. Very impressive!

[TrekDianna]

Wow, great job! It will be awhile before I post times like that.

[yellow]

Nice, Speedy! :)

[GLC1968]

Wow, Oak - I only dream about ever being that fast! Great job on the PR, too!! Congratulations!

I did ran my 8 miles yesterday. I ran the first 5 with my husband and then he headed home and I did one more little out and back to get to 8 (his total for the day was 7). My pace target was 11:43 but I'm not sure I hit that since my husband wasn't having a very good day and I stayed with him. I did pick up the pace when we split up, so overall, it might have been close. I haven't downloaded the info yet. Gorgeous day for a run. We have been enjoying the most spectacular weather lately! I'm loving it!!

[katluvr]

First good job for all the miles put in by all here and the races.
I missed running last week due to a cold with cough (and shear fatigue with it). Did manage a run on Sunday and then today was my scheduled long run of 10 miles.
It was cloudy and breezy, the cool/cold front is right behind our current conditions. But the conditions were great for not over heating on today's run. I held a pretty good 11:30 -11:40 pace (good for me) and ran all 10 miles with NO walk breaks. I was very excited about that. I just focused on when I felt good and not when I felt bad. When I was down to my last 2 miles the motivation to be able to brag about running all 10 was strong enough to get me though to the end.

K

[Veronica]

You guys who can get long runs in during the week amaze me. I suppose I do have the time to run for two ish hours before work - if I started at 4. I just can't bring myself to want to go before 5 though. I need the wake up time!

Veronica

[skhill]

I wake up by running!

Dreadful weather today, but the time when I usually run was rain-free, if very windy. So I didn't have any distance or pace in mind, just focused on keeping good form. It was actually kinda exhilarating running through the wind gusts. I ended up going about 5.5 miles.

By the time I'd hopped on the bike for the commute this morning, the weather was a lot worse, with drizzle and dropping temps to go along with the wind. Heading home it'll likely be 10 F colder than when I ran this morning, with a 20mph headwind. At least the rain is supposed to stop by then... Riding through the wind is a lot less fun than running in it.

[katluvr]

Veronica,
I work a variable schedule and this was was my day off--therefore only time to do a long run (out of town this weekend). I have a terrible time getting up early enough to run before work and way too tired after work to run. Which is why some weeks a run more and others barely run (due to work schedule).

K

[Veronica]

That makes sense.

I wish I wasn't so tired after work. I'm with my class only 6.5 hours. I SHOULD have tons of time, but afternoons I'm wiped out. I know this wasn't always the case. In 2006 and 2007 I logged oodles of after work miles. I'm not sure what has changed, but I don't like it.

Veronica

[katluvr]

Veronica,
I'm struggling greatly with lack of energy an absolutely NONE afterwork! I am on my feet/legs most of my 9 - 10 hour day so I guess that could explain it. Or it could be my age!
K

[GLC1968]

Did my "speed work" run last night. 2 x 1600 in 9:50 with 800 jog in the middle. 4 miles total including warm up and cool down. It wasn't that hard. Of course, after I was done, I realized that I was following the wrong training plan! I just checked my updated one and I should have targeted 9:29. Oops.

Today is just an easy run and I'll be doing it at lunch.

[OakLeaf]

Thanks all. Truthfully anything below 1:50 wasn't in my wildest dreams. I had 1:51 in my head ... a nice round number would've been nice for a target, but I really didn't believe it was possible. But that was kind of the point of the exercise. :)

I got out today for a little bit of a jog in 39° and bleary skies, but at least it hadn't started snowing yet. My legs are still a little bit sore, but it was good to get out.

[skhill]

Brrrrrrr It was 30F when I ran this morning. I was delayed about 15 minutes looking for the baselayer I had in mind. Found it, then found after a couple miles that it was really warmer than I needed. Only went about 4.5 miles, but it brought the year's logged total to 1000 miles. I've been a bit of a lazy sloth, should have reached the milestone about a month ago! (actually, there were a couple minor nagging injuries that led to reduced mileage.)

We did have some snow flakes flying last night, but it was beautifully clear by morning. And tomorrow is supposed to be even colder!

[rocknrollgirl]

First run in tights and gloves!!! Yippee!!! 33 when we went into the woods this morning. We just ran for an hour, I am saving some umph for tomorrow's ride.

[GLC1968]

Did 8 miles yesterday with my husband. It was nice! Lovely weather (the morning rain gave way to sun and light wind that made for perfect running weather). Oddly enough, my foot was a tad sore last night but feels great today. I'm even less 'creaky' than usual after a long run. I think perhaps I've turned another running corner (or reached some invisible milestone?). Yay!

[Catrin]

Yayy for you GLC!

[katluvr]

I had two runs this weekend up in CT while on a quick weekend get-a-way. 4 miler and 3 miler. The cold autumn air was an assault to my airways and the hills an assault to my lungs and legs, but overall it was great!

Just noted a few of you had 30-40 degree runs...so I guess I did pretty good for a southern gal running in those same conditions!

K

[katluvr]

My last run in October: 5 warm, flat miles. I'll be starting off November with a long run.

K

[GLC1968]

Did 4.5 miles last night on the treadmill. Oddly enough, it was cold enough outside that I ran the whole thing without needing to turn on the fan and I was running pretty hard! (our treadmill is in our unheated garage).

It was my 'speed workout'. 2X1600 at 9:28 with 800 in the middle at an easy jog (did that at 11:20). Warm-up and cool-down made up the rest of the 4.5 miles. Holding 9:28 for a mile was pretty tough but I managed. Hard to imagine that's 'slow' for many!!

[OakLeaf]

I've been fighting a case of the blahs, but I got out for a nice eight today. It was about 60 but cloudy and damp, and it started raining toward the end of my loop. I saw a propane truck stuck in the mud. Reminded me of when the propane truck tried to back down our lane (bad idea) and wound up in the ditch.

My neighbor passed me about half a mile from home and offered me a ride. Like I wasn't out there on purpose. :D

[OakLeaf]

Today it was about 48°, cloudy and windy, and it's probably the coldest I've ever run in shorts. Just experimenting to see how I'd do. I wore a single layer on top, my warmest tech jersey, tucked my fingers into the sleeve pockets and I was fine. My thighs and azz sure were cold when I got home, but it really didn't affect me except when I had to stop for traffic. My hands were actually the coldest part of me, even though I never uncovered them. Couldn't get my act together to get out in time to be back before the noon kickoff, but considering the final score was 56-0, I didn't miss much. :cool:


ETA: I shouldn't say the coldest I've "ever" run in shorts. Back when I was in college, and just a jogger, and "warm clothes" consisted of cotton sweats, my rule was "long sleeves below freezing, long pants below 0F." But that was a very, very long time ago...