Beginning to Run Thread

I ran 3 miles today. By default. Got to the gym and there was a note on the door that the class was cancelled. Now, at 5:30 AM, when it's 60 degrees out in October, I want to be outside. I drove home (only 4 miles) and went out. I had on my hi viz vest and my blinkie, but quickly realized I should have worn my headlamp. My street has streetlights, but not closely spaced. However, once I got down the hill, I went into a flat (!) neighborhood of cluster homes, off of my neighborhood, where every house has 2 of these big lights in front. Plus, the sky was lightening and by the time II started the return, it was getting light. I felt really good and ran the whole way, with 3 maybe 10second walks. I even ran up the hill. I was probably doing an 11 minute mile, but I was running.

Good job, Crankin!

We've been riding so much lately (and hiking, on our recent trip to the Dakotas) that I haven't even thought about starting to run again, but I might once it becomes too chilly to get motivated to ride. That hasn't happened yet. :)

I generally run in the fall (Nov.-Dec.) before it snows and late winter/early spring. But, I find it too hard to run, even 2 days a week, and do the amount of riding I like to do. And that doesn't even count going to boot camp. We'll see. I already have hardly any miles on the bike this year, so I suspect I will be doing some running over the next couple of months.
I'm a little sore this morning, but not the worst. I may be riding with Hirakukibou later, but on the other hand we may just go to lunch! I may lobby for the latter.

Good job Crankin! I am looking forward to being able to run that far without having to walk :) Then again, it doesn't really matter if I DO have to walk - I need to keep telling myself that. You know me, I expect perfection out of myself even at the beginning even if it is impossible :rolleyes:

Tomorrow I will either ride or trail run, we will see. I've a group challenge from our strength and conditioning coach to take care of today that has to do with the rope machine...

We voted on the lunch. I am weighing whether I will ride to do errands or just get in the car... I have a sore spot, not quite a blister on my bunion area from yesterday. I guess it's because I didn't lube up my feet with body glide, but since I had my Tekko socks on, I didn't think it would be that much of a difference. I do feel like I need to spin out my legs, but unless I leave right now, I'll be rushing to get back, shower and meet Hira.

Have fun at lunch Crainkin, hope that sore spot resolves easily. I never tjoigjt about usinf body glide on my feet, but it isn't as if I am running long distances on the trail.

Had the hardest run of my life yesterday in my Funday conditioning group training. We did the following:

Run 1 mile in 30 seconds run/30 sec walk
Partner - one partner runs 200 meters while the other does squats, ball slams and TRX rows - until another mile.

So 1.5 miles ran in total - and it was HARD! This was inside on the track - but I did it and really am not very sore today!

I am actually considering a night trail quarter marathon adventure race at the end of Jan :D :eek: I've got to be nuts to be considering this....but the trails are the ones I currently run. I do have cold air enduced asthma so the weather will play a role. We will see!

So I need to start hitting the trails more often and continue to build my tolerence for running on dirt!

Would wearing a woolen mask - or some such thing - help your asthma?

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

Would wearing a woolen mask - or some such thing - help your asthma?

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I do have a wool balaclava...I've not tried to run in anything like that but that is an idea. I also have a thermal cap that I've worn under my helmet. I suspect that some of my thermal gear will translate. My warmest tights are my PI AMFibs but I can't imagine wearing something that substantial while running, though I do also have MidZero tights that would be fine.

Unsure how well a mask might help - but that is something to experiment with!

The mask might help a lot, Catrin. Remember, though that you really don't need such heavy clothing when running. I've learned this the hard way.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

The mask might help a lot, Catrin. Remember, though that you really don't need such heavy clothing when running. I've learned this the hard way.

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I will experiment carefully with this - for sure. I certainly don't need to get over-heated in the cold! Hopefully I can get away without having to really spend much of anything, between gym and riding I've already half a closet filled with fitness related clothing :o I will see if there is a better option as far as a mask is involved, and there is certainly time. I need to focus on building my running tolerance. I can only think that since the Planet Adventure race is in the same park that I ride and run in that it can only help me. Knowing that makes a night run less intimidating - and knowing Indiana we could have everything from 50 degree temps to snow/ice and zero degree temps. Regardless of what happens, preparing for this will be fun ;)

I ran again this morning, despite stating yesterday I would never run again! Did the same route, except I went the other direction around the cul de sac at the turn around point. I felt better than Sunday, ran more of the route, including the big hill. I took 3 walk breaks, 30 sec., 20 sec., 10 seconds. I am slow, but I can run for longer time periods, so that's what I do. I think having DH with me Sunday was too much.
Nothing hurt, except my heel, and I really don't know why it is hurting. It's a mild discomfort, not pain and it's fine when I stop. My back was a wreck when I woke up, but I did the stretches I am supposed to do 3x a day and it's better.
I bought myself a new pair of running capris today, for motivation.

For some reason riding just doesn't seem to be doing it for me right now...so am planning on trying some trail running this weekend. The thing is, morning temps will be high 30s-40s.

How do you dress for those temps? I am thinking my mid zero tights, wool socks, and a wool base layer under a technical light jacket. Does that sound like too much? I know I don't need as much as if I were riding...I will have my inhaler just in case.

I would wear a light wool base layer with a medium weight or light weight jersey. If it's in the 40s, no jacket, maybe a vest. Thirties, well, it depends on you... you can always tie a jacket around your waist. I prefer to use a base layer and varying thermal levels of half/ quarter zip running tops for cold weather, rather than a jacket. Thirties will have me in thin wool gloves and some kind of head cover. I might start with them in the 40s. but they will be off before long.
You have to experiment. And I don't wear the same wool socks for running as i do riding. I have Tekkos for running, which I can wear riding (and I wear at the gym), but the Smart wool riding socks are too thick for me, for running.
I am jealous. I tried running today, even though I knew I shouldn't. My lower back is a wreck from my weekend of doing too much. I rested yesterday and it was better, but even though I only ran up and down my street (2.3 miles), and walked up the hill, I am in some pain. Have taken Advil twice and came home for an hour to use the heating pad, which usually helps. I need to see the PT, but too lazy at this point, as I can only go there on Thursday mornings. I hope i am OK for my boot camp tomorrow.

It's been just around 5-6 deg C on my last morning runs, which is low 40's. I've noted down the following: below 10 C/50 F, light/mid-weight wool jersey (Icebreaker 200 w/quarter zip recently) and full-length running tights. Below 5 C/40 F add (paper-thin) cycling wind jacket and thin wool hat. 0C/32 F add thin wool gloves (liners) and thin cycling vest. I carry a small hipbelt, though, since I semi-run-commute, so I always have somewehere to stash small items when I start to heat up.

I like wearing a jacket because it's very easy to pull off, usually I can pull it off and stash it while still running.

That wouldn't be too much for me at all. I'd be wearing long sleeve wool under the jacket, too. The jacket has vents and/or doesn't flop too much with the zipper partly opened, yes?

I would also want some pretty significant gloves (but then, I have a touch of Raynaud's - I'd be wearing my Ibex Kilo II gloves) and a cap, hopefully a cap that's compact enough to get shoved into a pocket if it gets too warm.

Thanks for the tips, I will have to experiment and see what happens. I won't be too far from my car so I can switch things around if necessary.

Well, I went to boot camp this morning. My back is stiff and I modified some stuff, but I'm in less pain than yesterday. We didn't really do a lot of running, more jumping and weights. So... tomorrow is going to be raining in the AM, when I am free, so I am going to try another run, as I won't be able to ride. I think I will drive to run in the center of town, where it's flat. I can look at the nice Victorian homes and generally motivate myself more without the hills.

Sounds good Crankin, hope it goes well!

I checked out the running clothing at TE and was very interested to note that PI Amfib tights are also being sold to runners, I had wondered how well they might work for cold weather running! I had wondered if they might be a bit too confining. Then I remembered that my Amfibs were always more comfy than my Midzero tights on the bike.

Trying my best to not spend money on colder weather running gear, I've a broad range of jerseys that I figure I can wear over my smartwool base layer. I DO need some thin wool socks for running in but I think that is all I really need...at least for now.

I think I will be skipping the running today. Sigh... I am going to do a slow ride with a friend, since my work appointment got rescheduled. My back is really stiff/hurting on the one side that is the culprit. I've been ramping up the exercises from the PT, but I may have to see him to get out of this cycle.
Catrin, everything I wear running can also be worn for the gym or hiking, x country skiing, or just walking. Except for the socks, it all does double duty.

Crankin - I hope your back feels better soon! That is good to hear about being able to do double duty with everything. It will depend on how cold my asthma will tolerate running if I will need to get a thermal running jacket. My thermal bike jacket is something like 12 sizes too large - it would literally fit 3 of me. That is fine for the bike since I use a hydration pack, but not so much for running.

I had something kind of freaky happen earlier this week related to riding - I may not be riding for a period of time until I get over it - just plain terrified to ride right now. I am SO scared to ride that I think that very fear will cause a problem related to second guessing myself and flinching in traffic. WHAT happened doesn't matter, but I need time to process/deal with it. It isn't like I am able to go on nice long rides anyway right now. So I will focus on what passes for trail running for me and my gym work until I deal with this. At least I've a trainer at home to go along with my Jungle Gym ;)

Our coach had assigned us some cardio "homework" so I decided to fulfill it via trail running :) 30 minutes of slow paced running at 2 minutes running/2 minutes fast walk. I am VERY pleased to report that my heel cord is only very mildly aggravated, my knee and Achilles in the other leg are just fine! This time I decided to run all the uphills that fell in my running splits rather than wimping out and walking them, and that went well. I am not talking about very long climbs. My average HR for the entire 30 minutes was only 125, right at the bottom of what I consider my training zone. Felt fine afterwards..and I must admit that lately I've been walking far less than that but he wanted us to put in equal times of less than max effort and something closer to resting.

I dropped by an LRS today that does free video gait analysis on a treadmill. They confirmed that I do have a neutral stride and the Brooks Cascadias another LRS sold me are a great choice for me. They also showed me the Brooks Ghosts should I decide to get a road running shoe for gym work. Nothing wrong with trail shoes on the road, but of course that will cause them to wear more quickly. I think I need shoes for work before I can justify yet another pair of fitness related shoes... :rolleyes:

Anyway, it was nice to have that choice confirmed, though as good as the Cascadias feel I knew they HAD to be the right choice!

Hoping to hit the trail tomorrow, but since they are calling for winds from 25-30 mph tomorrow afternoon I might head to the gym and do some track work instead. I really want to run in the woods tomorrow however so it will have to be pretty bad to run inside tomorrow. I was really heartened by my trail run last weekend, easy and no repercussions :) I think it is time to start adding a bit of distance and start to track it. If I am going to do a quarter marathon in January then I need to SLOWLY start adding distance, and I do mean slowly...

The LRS noted that one of my feet "toes out" a bit when I run, they said it can either be a tight hip or a leg length discrepancy. It IS the side where my hip is the tightest, so I will continue working on it.

I ran yesterday for the first time in 10 days. I wanted to go on the trail, but the beginning is full of wet spots and logs, which really slow me down, so I opted for the street. Not that I go fast there! I am sore, but I did my stretching when I got home and this morning, as well as taking a bath in Epson salts. I also noticed a callous developing near my bunion and my feet just feeling not right. I think i need new running shoes; they are 2 years old. They don't look worn, as I mostly use them at the gym, but I have gone through 3 cycles of running for 3-4 months at a time. These shoes (Mizunos)are really perfect for me, so I will get the same ones. Thinking of getting a pair of Aisics cross trainers for the gym work, but I am concerned that the toe box will be too narrow.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I ran yesterday for the first time in 10 days. I wanted to go on the trail, but the beginning is full of wet spots and logs, which really slow me down, so I opted for the street. Not that I go fast there! I am sore, but I did my stretching when I got home and this morning, as well as taking a bath in Epson salts. I also noticed a callous developing near my bunion and my feet just feeling not right. I think i need new running shoes; they are 2 years old. They don't look worn, as I mostly use them at the gym, but I have gone through 3 cycles of running for 3-4 months at a time. These shoes (Mizunos)are really perfect for me, so I will get the same ones. Thinking of getting a pair of Aisics cross trainers for the gym work, but I am concerned that the toe box will be too narrow.

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I've a narrow heel and wider toe box - you might like the Brooks Ghost if a neutral shoe works for you. Not that Brooks has me on their payroll but their shoes are the best things my feet have felt in 54 years! Glad to hear the Mizunos work for you - I did like mine a lot at first, it may be that I just wore them out much more quickly than I expected.

My back/lumbar is killing me today, and I feel really beat up. I think I need to get myself fixed before I try running any more... I was feeling pretty good after 2 days of complete rest before yesterday, but I am worried that this won't resolve by x country ski season, where I wear a waist pack. I still do a little running and other jumping at the gym, in class, so I still need new shoes. I was just thinking that I might have to stop class for a couple of weeks and just go to spin class and lift weights, but I will let some more time go by. No matter how much I *want* to run, I can't let it interfere with riding or skiing, or at this point, anything. I suspect my bike crash also messed up my body, although the immediate injuries healed quickly, I haven't been the same, since.
I took a brisk 2 mile walk today, which was fine, until I started going up the hill. Just a little pulling feeling, but it stopped. But, walking isn't enough for me, unless it's more like a hike.

Crankin - I hope you feel better soon and can sort this out! I know it has to be frustrating.


I am starting to think that I am sandbagging, if not, then it is time to start pushing this a bit I think. This was the first time I used tracking software, I used the Endomondo app for android. I figure I can't start adding distance to prepare for my January quarter marathon if I don't know how far I am running.

My focus right now is still conditioning, not speed or distance, but things have REALLY changed! I ran 38 minutes, only walked ~7 minutes of that. Ran right at 2 miles, was surprised to see I climbed 324 feet, I wouldn't have thought it to be that much, I was in a pretty flat part of the park. I had NO problems with calves, hamstrings, hip, nor heel-cord tightness and only very minor knee complaint. I felt pretty darn good afterwards - so I think it is time to start pushing myself a bit - though will have to be careful not to push too hard. Still focusing on keeping my feet beneath me, my elbows close to my body, and my head/neck straight while still scanning for roots and other obstacles.

I love the combination of green leaves and fallen crunchy leaves in this picture. Not much of my route today was this straight and flat, it was just the only time I thought about taking a picture.

I am starting to think my body is taking to this more quickly than it did mountain biking...


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My trail run felt great Saturday, as reported. Yesterday our coach started our usual Sunday conditioning workout (after an intense warm-up) with an 8-minute run on the inside track. That was fine, I didn't really have to stop - but my cranky knee was starting to hurt at the end. Unsure why - if it was still feeling the trail run from the day before or if I shouldn't do more than 400 meters or so at a time when I am not on the dirt.

All feels fine today - and of course that 8-minute run was just the start of the "main course" yesterday.

Due to being ill, and the weather last weekend, I've not been able to do any trail running for three weeks! I changed that today. Since it's been so long since I've been able to hit the trails, and I am still conditioning my body to this new activity, I decided to limit it to 2 miles. That was my goal, but I didn't quite make it :( I shouldn't have been surprised since I've not run outdoors for so long and we've not done any running recently in my group training sessions. I did 1.57 miles in 24 minutes...but that included walking time, a bathroom break and a water stop. I didn't walk much at all - and I stopped when my Achilles started hurting a bit. I had micro-tears in that tendon 4 years ago so I do pay attention to it.

Since that terrible bladder infection, I still have to take more...breaks than before so that wasn't a surprise. I ran far more than I walked, so I will take it. If I could figure out how to get my running app to stop when I stop that would help get a better idea of my overall time.

Temps breaking 50 this afternoon WITH lots of sunshine - time to break out my trail shoes :)

I am wondering about what to wear. It will be 48-50 when I hit the trails. I don't want to overdress but I do get cold easily. I am thinking about my MidZero tights (lightest weight tights I own), knee high socks, smartwool base layer and my convertible light-weight jacket. I can always remove the sleeves from that if I need to do so.

Does that sound like too much? Dressing for outdoor temps is very individual as some of us tolerate colder temps better than others. I will be walking/running, and as I've not done any trail running since the end of Oct/first of November I wont be pushing it hard so I suspect a little warmer isn't a bad idea.

BTW, I bought new Brooks Ghosts version 6 yesterday for gym work so I can devote my trail shoes (Brooks Cascadias) to, well, trails. Hopefully having the two pair will make both of them last longer.

I FINALLY GET TO RUN!!!!!

Did a 1 mile 1/2 walk, 1/2 run under the watchful eye of my PT on Thursday. I get to go out today on my own! Have new running shoes I love (Pearl Izumi EM Road N2 - a compromise as I really prefer minimalist, but my PT has limited that). I also have new walking shoes (Mizuno Ferus) - more minimal, so I'm happy, but enough support to keep my PT happy!

Catrin, I'd be in shorts with a lightweight long sleeved shirt, and wool socks and mittens. You're right, it's very individual! We're headed to 50 too, and I'm thinking of a bike ride, if I can decide what to wear...

Yayyyy Blueberry - that is awesome! Congrats on the new shoes as well :) I LOVE my Brooks, they are the best things that have EVER been on my feet. Apparently I've a "very" neutral stride and my high arches really appreciate the support. I've tried running in more minimal shoes but those hurt...

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Originally Posted by skhill

Catrin, I'd be in shorts with a lightweight long sleeved shirt, and wool socks and mittens. You're right, it's very individual! We're headed to 50 too, and I'm thinking of a bike ride, if I can decide what to wear...

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I didn't think about mittens, thanks! Since I might be walking more than running (we will see), I will go with the tights. Even on the bike I wear tights in temps <60 and sometimes up to 62 depending on how overcast/windy it might be. I am really looking forward to it! Drinking my second cup of coffee for the day, allow the temps to warm another 30 minutes, then headed out. Recording "McHales Navy" on my DVR and will finish watching it when I get home.

I love my Brooks Ghosts! Only shoe I'll run in. The Brooks rep encouraged me to try Ravennas & I returned them within the week. You don't even know you have them on :)

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Originally Posted by VeganBikeChick

I love my Brooks Ghosts! Only shoe I'll run in. The Brooks rep encouraged me to try Ravennas & I returned them within the week. You don't even know you have them on :)

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I am looking forward to wearing my Ghosts to my usual crazy group conditioning workout tomorrow as it will be the first time I've worn them. There is normally some running involved :) I LOVE my Cascadias for trail running. The store rep said I could use the Ghosts for light trail running, but that isn't what I bought them for. I feel the Cascadias more aggressive soles provide more traction on the trail and it feels like they also provide a bit more ankle support. With my foot surgery that is a good thing.

I just got in, ran/walked 1.67 miles. Not bad for not doing any trail work since the end of October - it just isn't the same as running on the track at the gym. My knee never complained once (yayyyyy), and my tight heel cord that sometimes complained loosened up. The only reason I stopped when I did was my left hamstring started complaining, and it is still complaining a bit. I wasn't fatigued at all. Unsure why the hammie complained...unless it has something to do with the cooler temps, I've not been exercising outside at all. I do not believe that trail running is near as hard on my body/legs as what I do at the gym - at least not the easy trails I was on today. Pretty flat terrain, only about ~750 feet of climbing and descent. Only a few sections with roots and those were muddy enough that I walked them.

Considering I was up to 2 miles before my body started complaining before winter weather hit, I am not going to complain. I had a very slow pace but did spend a bit more time running than walking. I split it up depending on how my body feels as I think that is more important than choosing some arbitrary amount of time to run/walk (and then trying to keep track of the split). 16.2 minute pace, but that was with walking, it will be interesting to see how much I can shave off that as I can walk less and run more ;)

My clothing choices were spot on for the temps! Even with the tights I was pretty cool starting out, but warmed up. I never felt the urge to unzip my convertible shell or to remove the sleeves. Very glad I had gloves!

Finally got in a decent run in my new Ghosts - and they rocked! I don't know what a "decent" mile pace for a beginner is, but I managed to run a mile at my gym after our crazy Sunday Funday workout in right at 12 minutes. For me that is indeed a record. It is still interesting to see how much harder it is to run on a non-trail surface. My heart rate is higher, and it takes more will power to keep going when running on an inside track. There was some walking involved of course, but tried to keep that at a min. My hammie was just fine with everything!

I'm in the ~13 minute a mile range (my plan still has me at 1/2 walking, 1/2 running) - so I would say that's a fine pace.

It has been a week since I ran, and I did a hard (for me) trainer workout yesterday and walked ~4 miles with DH before running. Oof that hurt! Having trouble dressing for running - at 55 wore short sleeves and capris. Arms were a bit chilly - but if I had worn long sleeves, I think I would have been too hot.

Thanks Blueberry, I had no idea how to look at that number. Not that I am all that concerned about it for now, and it is interesting how much harder it is to run a mile (ran more than walked, probably walked about a quarter of the distance) inside on a rubberized track over soft trails. I won't even consider running on pavement, that just isn't for me. That one mile inside got my heart rate much higher than the trail and I was certainly done after that mile. I seem to last longer on trails, or else I am better at the walk/run mix when I am out in the woods by myself...