November Leaf Shuffling

[yellow]

Happy November, ladies.

I give you this, to start the running discussion for the month-that-started-a-week-ago:

The Colors of the New York Marathon (http://www.nytimes.com/video/fashion/100000002543066/bill-cunningham-marathon-colors.html)

I loves me some Bill Cunningham (and understand that I am almost completely fashionless--but I enjoy his commentaries).

I ran yesterday. It was gorgeous. And, yes, I did shuffle through some leaves :)

[skhill]

My legs felt dead this morning, after an hour of leaf raking yesterday. Kept the run short, just 4 miles, and now I'm about to return to the raking. There's a huge, elderly, fragile maple tree in my backyard that turns gold then drops them overnight it feels like.

Yes, I'm enjoying the sights and smells of fall, and especially the sunrises the end of daylight savings time has me out running in!

[OakLeaf]

Yellow, so glad you're back to running! Hope the break accomplished some good healing.

Cool photos - I especially liked the little girl with her leaf. :D

I've been fighting cold after cold, nothing major, plus I managed to strain something in my foot, so I'm taking it easy. Pity, because the weather is so beautiful. Might get out for some light cleanup in the garden this afternoon, anyway.

[VeganBikeChick]

My legs felt dead this morning, after an hour of leaf raking yesterday. Kept the run short, just 4 miles, and now I'm about to return to the raking. There's a huge, elderly, fragile maple tree in my backyard that turns gold then drops them overnight it feels like.

Yes, I'm enjoying the sights and smells of fall, and especially the sunrises the end of daylight savings time has me out running in!

I love that 4 miles is a short run. That'd be almost a marathon for me :D. I'm trying to ease back into running - again. I went for a 2 miler yesterday, walking about 50% but still got myself out there. Felt very accomplished afterwards - and the hot bath was a great treat.

[solobiker]

LOL...I went on a 4 mile run yesterday and today raked for about 3 hours. I love to rake so it was great weekend for me.

[Wahine]

Good job ladies!

I started to run agian after about 1 year off. I've also changed my running form substantially. So I started out with 2 miles run/walk. I built up to a "long" run of 5 miles but when I went out for the run I was really fatigued from an epic bike adventure 3 days previously and I injured my Achilles. This is the part that makes me proud, I stopped running the moment I injured myself and walked home. I did 3 weeks of proper rehab and finally, today I went out for that 5 mile run again. Success!!

I've done a lot of distance running in the past and I'm registered for a marathon Mar 2. So I'm pretty happy to run my 5 miles, even though I've run much farther. Building back up from ground zero.

The great thing is that I love running in the fall and winter here. Soooooooo much better than riding in the soaking wet and 40 degrees.

[GLC1968]

The great thing is that I love running in the fall and winter here. Soooooooo much better than riding in the soaking wet and 40 degrees.

OMG, so true!!

I've been really good at getting in my runs and lately I've noticed some real changes in how I feel. I did a 5 mile pace run last week on the treadmill and it just flew by. I was kind of shocked. My outdoor runs are super pleasant now too...even when I work harder. Yesterday I did 9 miles with my husband and I was playing coach for the last mile because he wanted to throw in the towel. I felt like I had at least another 5 in me!

This week is a 'rest' week for me with no long run and slightly reduced mileage. I've been wanting to add another day to my run schedule, so I think I'll do it this week. I won't increase the mileage at all, but I may split one of the 4 or 5 mile runs in two. None of the runs have any training focus this week, so I don't feel badly messing with the schedule (they are all 'easy' runs).

[skhill]

Got in my 6 miles this morning, it was a beautiful chilly fall dawn. Kept speeding up the whole time, the first mile was in 9:15 and the last in 8:25. Fun!

They're predicting rain turning to sleet turning to snow overnight, so tomorrow may end up being a rest day. Although if the footing looks good and there's a little flurry going on, it might be fun to run. Have to wait and see...

[VeganBikeChick]

WTG Ladies! Got out again today but hardly drank any water yesterday - never knew how awful a run could be when you're dehydrated. I've been catching up so much today that I must have gone to the restroom at least a half dozen times so far!

[skhill]

Well, I didn't run Tuesday-- it wasn't the snow or the 32F temp that put me off, but the 25mph wind that went along with all that. Then I didn't run Wednesday-- it was 23F and I wimped out. Today, however, I finally got out again. 27F and clear skies and almost no wind, it was beautiful. I went about 5.5 miles at a pretty quick pace, and there were a lot more runners out at 6:30 am than usual. A whole flock of us were circling around the north end of campus, all bundled up.

It's supposed to be warmer over the next few days, hooray!

[OakLeaf]

Well, I haven't run all week. The last cold caught me good, and turned into a sinus infection, but thank my lucky stars I seem to have headed off bronchitis. I *know* it would've gone down into my lungs if I'd tried to run, so I'm okay with it, even though I'm jonesing.

But I've got good news anyhow. That foot pain wasn't getting any better, and with where it was and how it felt, I was really starting to worry it was a stress fracture. I was seeing the DO this morning anyway so I asked him to look at it. Clinically he didn't think it was fractured, and he eased my cuboid back into place, fixed the rotation of my first and second metatarsals, and the pain is gone. If it comes back I'll obviously need to get an MRI, but he thinks that's unlikely. Yay.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Guys,
I have been running, but I have been too lazy to post. Things are busy at school and it sucks the life right out of me. We have just been doing shorter stuff, nothing over an hour. Since our race 6 weeks ago we have been mountain biking a lot, so the running as scaled back, which is fine. No need to push at this point, especially because we are planning shorter races this year.

So Tuesday, I too wimped out because of the 25mph winds. Yesterday we did a trail run for 45 mins.

[Crankin]

You did the right thing, Oak. Been there, done that. I am going to try and avoid bronchitis this year.

[yellow]

I use a remote/online/phone coach who trains several ultrarunners. He put me in touch with one of his other clients who was going to be visiting SLC so this other client and I could talk trails for him to run while visiting. He is from NC, closer to the ocean, so you'd think the altitude (and very low humidity and cold) might get to him a little bit. He flew in to town last Monday and we went for a great run in the foothills. Nothing like soaking in the enthusiasm and joy of someone who is grateful to be running in a new place (and really freakin' excited about it). The altitude didn't seem to phase him. It was all I could do to keep up with him on the downhills.

Fast forward to Saturday, when he wanted to go for a ~2 hour trail run. Oh, and he was going to bring along another guy who he met at this class he was attending in SLC. Other guy is from NJ and not a runner, but he is young (20-something) and an elite rower (as in Olympics-level elite). It was snowing and these guys only had shorts (but they did have jackets and gloves). No worries. Off we went on a beautiful snow covered trail. The guys couldn't get over that the snow was not slippery to run on and the fact that it was snowing and they were out running in it. There was a lot of man giggling. We all had a great time and the young non-runner guy had no problem popping off an 11 mile trail run in the snow at altitude (the longest trail run he'd ever done). Ahhh, youth.

Not that I really need reminding, but it was a reminder to be thankful for what I have, where I live, and where I run. I enjoyed sharing my trails with someone new. I usually run alone (mostly because I haven't been successful in finding a compatible trail running buddy), so it was a real treat to run with other humans who were very much in the moment. To witness the joy and enthusiasm of these guys was priceless. Here is a picture from Saturday. Look at those smiles! (Yes, I am short, but they were both tall so that makes me look extra short.)

Back to running with me, myself, and I today. We had a lovely little jaunt. Perfect fall evening.

16806

[VeganBikeChick]

What a lovely photo, yellow! Kudos to everyone getting their runs in!

I'm really starting to enjoy my outdoor runs here, although I sure do miss running in the chilly weather in CO with the sun shining down to keep me warm.

[katluvr]

I, too, have been running but not posting. On Sunday i ran my first trail 1/2 marathon. It was about 84 degrees after the sun came up. Ah, fall in Florida! Here is the race report I posted on FB:

Race report: So it was my first trail 1/2 marathon. I've done many a road race and yes, I have done Pikes Peak--but that's totally different. I did pretty good to start, first 5 miles under 1 hour, made the half way mark at 1:40 so I thought I was doing well. But it was HOT. When not in the woods (where it more technical) we did flat, grassy areas with direct sun. I really think I would of done better if not so hot. It really hit me between miles 8 & 9 and the "walk/run" was on. By miles 11 & 12 it was mostly a walk and short, slow slogging. My best road 1/2 marathon was 2:09, my normal "good" 1/2 is between 2:17 & 2:24, and not trained for 1/2s are in the 2:30 mark. My goal was under 3 hours and I made it in 2:56--thus goal attained! As runners know since this is my first trail 1/2 marathon this is a new PR! Not bad for a short, chubby almost 50 year old!

So my next race is my usual race of a 5 K and 10 K --back to back, 3rd weekend in Jan. My plan is to change my training from endurance and just getting the distance to working on my speed. We shall see how that goes.

K

[yellow]

kat, that is AWESOME! Congratulations!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, way to go Kat! Very nice.

Yellow, nice picture! What a beautiful place to run. Unfortunately, between my asthma and my Raynaud's, I think I'll have to content myself with looking at pictures of anything below 20° ...

My foot is feeling a lot better. Not 100%, but definitely on the road to healing, enough that I'm probably going to go ahead and do the 5K Turkey Trot I'm signed up for. I'm starting to run a little more, and mainly right now I'm feeling the effects of how little running I've been doing the last few weeks. Ugh. I'm sending my recent training logs to my coach so he can get me started on my training plan, and it's flat-out embarrassing. I'm already making excuses to him for my lack of running and I haven't even started his program yet! But really ... they're good excuses ... :o

[Wahine]

Good work Kat! Nice job meeting your goal on your first trail half.

I am slowly building things back up. My achilles seems to be about 95% recovered and it's not bothering me when I run, just a little tight afterward. I've made it back up to 6 miles. If everything goes well over the next few months, I should be able to get up to a long run of 15 miles and still have 2 weeks to taper going into my first stand alone marathon.

:)

[katluvr]

Love reading about everyone's runs, accomplishments and goals (and support)!
So today was a 30 minute run, a bit under 3 miles. I did "intervals". Just did schedule 1 minute "speed" work. No target pace just ran "as fast as I can without dying" for a minute. Well maybe I didn't run as fast as I can (then again, maybe it was! I'm so slow). But it went well. Except I am SOOOOOOOO damn tired of this humidity. It is like soup out there! Cool front hit us Sunday, hope it dries up some, too.

K

[GLC1968]

Yellow - great photo! I would *LOVE* to run in your neck of the woods. It sounds amazing to me!

Kat - awesome job on the trail 1/2! I'm not sure I could do a full half marathon on a trail without hurting myself (if yesterday was any indication!).

I too have been running without posting. Two weeks ago was a 'rest' week on my plan, so I had 4 short runs and no long one. This past week, I was traveling three days (three days of difficult travel, actually), so my run plan was all over the place. I did manage to get them all in, if a bit off on normal timing. Yesterday was my long run of 10 miles. It was beautiful weather, but it wasn't a great run. I had zero energy (entirely due to a massive calorie deficit I'm intentionally running right now) so it felt like a ridiculously long PLOD. I was so done at the end that when I cut through an unfamiliar parking lot at 9.5 miles to turn towards home, I totally tripped. It was the oddest thing - I guess I was dazed, because I was half way to the ground before I realized what was happening. I threw my arm out in front of me at the last second to stop my fall and skinned my elbow. I immediately turned to look at what I tripped over and it was a speed bump! How embarrassing!

Luckily, today I feel fine. No aches, no pains and no tiredness in my legs. My elbow smarts when in the shower but other than that, I don't even notice it. Phew!

[colby]

Winter running photos already! Feels like it was just summer. I love winter running once it gets past the slush point.

The trail half sounds awesome. No need to qualify - finishing and meeting your goal is awesome no matter what!

My husband is chasing off his blerch (as per The Oatmeal (http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running)) and I am figuring out the best way to keep him motivated. We started focused running a few months ago (longer casually) with a goal in mind to see if goal-motivation is enough but the midweek stuff is still a challenge. I think we need to rewind and focus on daily consistency and a weekend longer run. Since I spend about 2/3 of my time in Austin and it's cooling off, it's a great time to start running and he's enjoying it (mostly). I've pretty much left personal goals behind for now, and am playing coach. It really works for him to have someone there with him, especially while he builds reinforcing habits, and he's started enjoying it and seeing the benefits (emotionally, physically). We'll probably switch to 5 days a week of 20-30 minutes almost daily (run/strength/bike/swim) and something longer on weekends.

We're running a half marathon next weekend together, with a goal of just finishing (in honor of chasing off the blerch!). I know there will be some walking, he can make it about 8 miles without a break (other than eat/drink) at a comfortable pace (11-11:30ish) but the longest we've gone is 10, and I did the 9-10 mile runs separately from him so I know he walked more than I would have allowed. ;) Not to mention, it's a hillier course and we've been running mostly flats. On the bright side, I know the course really well, so I can explain what's going on, and the back half is great.

Also thinking about 2014 lately. This race will wrap up 2013 for me... and unfortunately a lot of 2014 (bright side: courtesy a baby girl due April 1). I have been thinking about focusing on running for a while, this might be the break from endurance triathlon that lets me give it a shot. We'll see. :)

Happy running!

[salsabike]

Colby! Congratulations!

[GLC1968]

Congratulations, Colby!

My husband and I signed up to do a half marathon together in Dec (to help him chase off his blerch!), but he has been having some real calf trouble lately and we aren't certain he'll be able to run it. We've still got a few weeks, so maybe....

Best of luck to both of you next weekend!

[rocknrollgirl]

I am glad I popped in this morning!

Kat-congrats on the first trail 1/2. Awesome.

Colby...baby girl...WOOT!!!!

Yellow, get my room ready, I am packing now:)

So right now we are trying to just get back into a regular running routine. We have been pretty casual about it this month. I think that after my long race in Sept and the arrival of my new mt bike, a natural and needed break has taken place.

So this week it was to be back on a regular albeit volume reduced schedule, until Boreas arrived and brought a monsoon. Rain I do not mind so much, 40 mph winds, well you get it. So I traded my run yesterday for a hard trainer workout, and I think we will try and get out tomorrow on our rail trail before cooking starts.

Fingers crossed. Go away Boreas.

[colby]

Thanks, ladies! :D So far it's been pretty interesting on my running. Everything starts moving (core muscles, guts, "wait, my stomach is up here now?") and everything else starts adapting, it felt like I ramped my mileage even though I was actually running less or about the same. All my stabilizing muscles were like, "what?" I am over that hump, but now I have to stretch my adductors, hips, back, and glutes a lot or I feel super stiff after running anything more than 3 miles. I also feel my old hip imbalances coming back, so I am also doing more balance strength to try to offset which feels really good (doing as much as I can, considering my core muscles are wonky). I can't run intervals or anything and my running speed is down 30-60 seconds/mile so far (with occasional days where I have to say "forget that").

Interestingly, I have found running easier than walking with all the changes. I feel more winded and uncomfortable when I walk 2 miles, but can obviously still run for quite a while and other than the extra weight (distributed centrally :P) I don't really notice a huge difference in the moment. I've been trying more of a "fall forward" walk, so we'll see how that affects my comfort levels.

4 days to go, my husband is fighting off some ick (weather changed in Texas very abruptly), but I think we'll make it. :D

[skhill]

Wow, Colby, that's awesome!

Well, between nursing a cold and crazy weather, I haven't run since last Saturday. Was planning on running this morning, but I was slipping around a bit on the snowy sidewalks while letting my dog do her business so no run. Maybe tomorrow morning, so long as it's not actually 13F and windy...

[rocknrollgirl]

OK...I ran and I am posting. Happy Thanksgiving. We ran 7 miles this morning on our rail trail. I wanted to head into the woods but we had way too much rain yesterday. The trails would have been messy. It was 27 degrees, and windy, but not uncomfortable. We just took it nice and easy. Unfortunately it gave me a case of "angry belly" which I get sometimes if my stomach is empty. Perhaps it will be less angry after I eat my weight in mashed!

[katluvr]

No real run today but got up early to do the local Turkey Trot. Just walked the 5K with my dad (turning 78 next month) and my S.O. It was down right cold! 41 degrees at the finish--brrrrr for FL! It's going to be a bit warmer in the AM, more like the 50's so I'll go out for a solo run. Should be sunny and cool--perfect running weather!
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!
K

[rocknrollgirl]

I did about 40 mins this morning and then came in and stretched. I took it nice and easy. We mt biked on Saturday and my legs were a little tired. Lifting and core today.

[Crankin]

I ran 3 miles on Saturday, for the first time in weeks. I made myself do walking in the middle for about 2 minutes and again for a minute ner the end. Amazingly, I had no pain or stiffness the next day, although my hip/back was talking a little during the run. I stretched aggressively, with all my stuff the PT assigned me. Of course, I ran exceedingly slowly, but it was a run. Will try again, perhaps tomorrow or Thursday.
I find that it's easier for me to run up a hill (slowly) than to run for an extended time on the flats.

[solobiker]

I got in a nice 3 mile run in today. I have not been able to run in about 2 weeks due to various injuries. I figured that I needed to run today because the temps were in the upper 50s and according to the weather report the high by the end of the week will be a balmy 5 degrees. Brrrrrrr ...a little to cold for me to run comfortably.

[OakLeaf]

I'm still nursing my foot. Thought it was 95%, then I got a cramp after the 5K I did on Thanksgiving, then the next day I did yoga and my kinesio tape came off and that's when it started to hurt again. :( :mad: Not the time I need to be dealing with this...

At least I'm pretty sure now that my first instinct was correct, it's one of the deep calf muscles pulling it out, not sure whether it's the peroneus longus or the tibialis posterior, but I've been rolling my calf out as deep as I can get with one nub of the ma roller, and it seems to be helping.

[TrekDianna]

I did a nice 3 miler this morning with some sprints between lamp posts. I am currently out of the rain and visiting San Diego. I got high fived by a runner going the opposite direction. It made me laugh. I think tomorrow I might run down the beach. I was jealous of the barefoot in the surf runners today. I had my pedometer on today while I was out sightseeing. At the end of the day I registered 13.28 miles. Not bad.

[rocknrollgirl]

I got in a 3 miler this morning before work. My stomach has been weird the last few days so I missed my run yesterday. I woke up at 4:15 today, stuck my head out the window, no rain yet, warm, hmmm....I guess I can squeeze in a quick run before school. I threw on my stuff and off I went. Nice to get the make-up run in. It has been a chore to get out after work the past two weeks.

[OakLeaf]

Ran my first ever 10K this morning in 53:50, not too bad considering my foot and the heat/humidity. It was only 50 degrees F warmer than the 5K I ran on Thanksgiving nine days ago. :eek:

[Crankin]

Congrats, Oakleaf! Guess you're back in FL.
I ran again today. I know, once a week won't do it, but, it's a start. I did much better today. Two reasons, one, I went to spin and not boot camp yesterday, so nothing hurt, and two, I dressed better, but still, just a tad too warmly.
I ranthe whole thing, (3miles), except for 30 seconds at the halfway point, and once again, when I intersected with DH, who was on a walk, for about a minute.