Another week... running week of 2/2

I'm starting the running thread????
Well, it's been 2 weeks since my last attempt. Despite the fact it's 40 out, I decided not to go x country skiing or ride. Most of the streets by me are still full of ice. Anyway, went to the gym and decided to run before yoga (I really wanted to wear the nice Nike running pants and top I got at TJ Max for a song How stupid is that?)!
I wonder if I will ever feel good when running? I warmed up for 5 full minutes, walking and then ran for 5 @ 5.2, w/a 2 min. walk after, 5@ 5.5, 2 min. walk, 5@ 5.8, 2.5 min. walk, then 2 @ 6.0, 2 @5.8, and the rest @ 5.5, for a total of 30 minutes. The whole time I was saying to myself, "HTFU."
I have a blister on my left foot now, not bad, but it's from my small bunion. Will try to make the shoes looser next time. Max HR was again at 167, so I'm consistent. Although I cooled down for a few minutes, I was still sweating like a pig when I got to yoga and the room was crowded. It sure felt good, though; a very easy class. However, when I left, my right knee felt a little "jacked," as my son says, going down the stairs. It's OK now, but I think I will ice it later. Need to stretch my piriformis, too.

Sounds to me like you had a good run, Crankin. (But I'm not sure that 5.8 or 5.5 means. Speed in MPH?)

My goal for the week is to go out three times before the weekend's long run. Just short runs, 20 min to half an hour, and only one day with some intervals. Just to show myself that I can actually go running on my own around my house.

I meant speed in mph. Trying to feel like I am not dying at a 10 min. mile pace. I don't need to go faster than that, for the kind of running I want to do. Really, it's just an adjunct to cycling. I feel great at 5.5 mph, OK, but on the way to torture at 5.8, and 6 mph is still pretty hard for me. I don't think I was born to run, but it's a time efficient way to exercise. I do a lot of fitness walking/hiking, which I love, but in order for me to burn the calories I need to burn to maintain my weight, I'd have to walk for at least an hour... that's OK some of the time, but I am determined.

Crankin I feel like you are telling my story! and Yes a new outfit is a perfectly good reason to run - and if that is all the motivation you need . . . . more power to you!

I ran on the indoor track Sat and did a very slow 4.5 miles. I was slogging along miserably at 3 miles until a lady at the Y who is small, w/ short legs and older than me got on the track and was power walking faster than I was running :mad: I sped up and realized I wasn't going to die. BUT I could NOT get ahead of her and kept hoping she would quit soon. FINALLY after a mile she dropped back and I thought "WHEW now I can slow back down" :p

This body is just NOT a runner's body but I am determined. At least now I can do 4.5 miles w/o stopping if I go slow enough :D

We too have had some beautiful weather days but w/ all the snow we have it is now all ice so it is still inside for awhile longer.

I ran off a beginner running program from runners world, I am on week 3 - It seems doable except for the tempo training and intervals. They didn't ask how old I was and how many extra days recovery I needed :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Crankin

I meant speed in mph. Trying to feel like I am not dying at a 10 min. mile pace. I don't need to go faster than that, for the kind of running I want to do. Really, it's just an adjunct to cycling. I feel great at 5.5 mph, OK, but on the way to torture at 5.8, and 6 mph is still pretty hard for me. I don't think I was born to run, but it's a time efficient way to exercise. I do a lot of fitness walking/hiking, which I love, but in order for me to burn the calories I need to burn to maintain my weight, I'd have to walk for at least an hour... that's OK some of the time, but I am determined.

---

Just another thing we're very similar on! I can run at 5.5 mph on the treadmill all day (if my lunch break from work could last that long :D), but at 6.0, I start fading before too long. The most I've done at 6.0 is 2 miles straight, and I've done shorter intervals at 6.2, but that's my max (and I've been running for a year now, so I'll never be a speed demon, tho my endurance has improved a lot). What I started doing on the treadmill for about a month before Christmas was 5.5 mph flat/hill intervals every .25 miles. I'd do flat, then 1% grade, then flat, then 1.5% grade, then flat, then 2.0% grade on up to 3.0% grade, then back down. After doing that, running 6.0 mph on the flat actually felt pretty easy! Slow climbs are harder than moderate flats...kinda like on a bike! :p

I ran outside today! Just about 1.5 miles, plus another mile of walking. It was in the upper 50s and sunny but quite windy so felt a little cooler than the temp, but still nice to be outside for the first time since my tendinitis. After two fairly long, hilly hikes over the weekend, I felt that my knee would hold up, and it did. Yippee! :p

I used Nu Skin once when i had x country boots that were just not right for me. I will try it, if this gets to be an issue. My bunion is only from wearing high heels, though I did do figure skating for years as a kid, since girls of my era weren't allowed to do any sports except that and ballet, which I was much too klutzy for.
Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. Emily, I still can't run straight for 30 minutes without doing some walking. Of course, I haven't been doing this very long. And, we'll see when I get outside. There's not much flat around here. I am sort of afraid this will kill my legs for cycling, so I envision that I will run maybe 2 days a week.
Eclectic, I need lots of recovery time from everything! I'm 55 and I've been exercising for 30 years, the first half of which I was pounding my body doing high impact aerobics on concrete floors. I am paying for it now. And then there's my so called Fibromyalgia, which comes and goes at will and no one is that sure that is really what I have. But I keep saying, "I'm still here."

Good job Crankin! Don't be too hard on yourself, it can be tough getting started with running. I went to the Y (the one where I got kicked out of the gym on Friday for being barefoot) and did 20 minutes again on the indoor track. This time I wore my Vibram Five Fingers, first time I ran in them. They're going to work nicely for running when I'd like to go barefoot but can't do so for whatever reason; I will likely end up running outside in them when the weather warms up enough. No blisters or anything from them so far. And nobody gave me a hard time. And here's the shocker: I decided to time myself on a couple of laps to see what my pace was, and I was almost down to 8.5 minute miles!!! That has NEVER happened--usually I have been doing well to be at a 10:00. Granted, this was on an indoor track and outside with hills etc. will be a different story but that speed is still darn good for me! Not sure if it's from being barefoot/almost barefoot or what, but I was quite happy about that. Maybe I'm becoming more efficient. And so far no more IT band twinges (just slightly sore calves still since I am getting used to this barefoot stuff, but that's normal muscle soreness). All in all, not too shabby.

Did 5 miles of easy running yesterday. Temps were in the mid 30's with a cold wind. I tried out a new pair of micro fleece pants from the John "The Penguin" Bingham store. Boy, were they warm and comfy! (Not bad for $30!) :D

Deb

I know it's not technically this week, but Saturday I did 9 or 10 miles for the first time in months. I don't think I was fast, but it wasn't hard. It was one of those "forever" runs. ;) My knees/hamstrings were a little tight afterward, but my hip didn't feel bad. My right leg still feels... heavy. I think maybe I need acupuncture.

Sunday I did 2 hours on the elliptical (it was a planned cross-train day) and after the two, my hamstrings definitely needed some stretching. Even today after a 45 minute ride (admittedly with intervals), I still needed stretching. Note to self, more stretching right after the run, rather than feeling sore later.

Tomorrow, 4-5 miles, Thursday, hill repeats at 10-15%, and Sunday is another 4-6 miles. Easy weekend after a long one last weekend.

Keep it up everyone :)

Did intervals for the first time ever last night. Wow that sucked. It was 1 minute hard, 2 minutes easy, 10 sets. I think I did 5 full sets and 5 sets where the easy was 30 seconds fast tempo walk. Then came home and did core workout. I felt exhausted when I went to bed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Crankin

Eclectic, I need lots of recovery time from everything! I'm 55 and I've been exercising for 30 years, the first half of which I was pounding my body doing high impact aerobics on concrete floors. I am paying for it now. And then there's my so called Fibromyalgia, which comes and goes at will and no one is that sure that is really what I have. But I keep saying, "I'm still here."

---

You really are telling my story except for the aerobics part. I tried a couple of times to do those classes and hated them so I just walked and swam.

I have Fibromylagia too, officially diagnosed. And yes it comes and goes and I need more rest than the average person.

Well let's keep cheering each other on! I figure now that I am over 50 (I'm 52) I am doing a lot more than a lot of people by just getting out there and attempting it!

I'm still doing the same stuff. I got my 400 time down to 1:45 on the track but that is the exception and not the rule. I'm building back up on my long run day and my first "real" race is in May.

Colby, are you doing the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon?

Eclectic, I saw you signed up for the half! Congrats. I know you will love it, 13 miles is a great distance. It's far enough to feel tired and you won't feel icky.

I have bunions on both feet. Between shoes that fit not as bad as other shoes and orthotics, my feet are mostly ok. Oh and I also use body glide on the bits that get really blistered.

I'm doing a lot of PT exercises still because I'm lopsided. Each time one bit gets straightened out, other bits hurt just because they aren't used to being used in a non-lopsided manner. It's kind of funny though because I always knew I don't walk or run in a straight line. Being non-lopsided doesn't feel right and really, I almost don't trust myself to do the exercises on my own because the proper form doesn't feel right so hopefully it'll all come out ok.

I laugh and laugh to myself because if I was ever pulled over and asked to take a field sobriety test (I work until the wee hours so I'm on the road when the drunk people are) I wonder if I could just say "hey, I'm lopsided and I CAN'T walk in a straight line!"? I'm easily entertained though.

I did about 4 on Sunday but kept it really easy because I was trying to catch a cold. I didn't get the cold but instead I've been in bed with stomach flu for the last two days. 102 fever, and the rest of it which would be entirely TMI. :( So I was glad I got out for a little bit before that ordeal. Going to try yoga today I think. Not quite ready for cardio.

Aw, oakleaf, what a bummer. Hope you feel much better soon! I'm planning on doing yoga today myself. I'm working from home, and it's far too cold to run outside!

Hope you feel better, Oakleaf.
My body still hurts from running :mad:. I took yesterday off, did nothing except snow shoveling for 30 minutes. I am going to go x country skiing today (fresh powder), spin class tomorrow. So, Friday I will run again. I never thought of trying Body Glide on the blister/bunion; will pull that out of the drawer on Friday.

30 minute easy run last night. My running shoes are worn out and I really hate that I have to deal with that. :rolleyes:

{{{{{{{healing vibes}}}}}} sent over to you Oakleaf

I was thinking about my long run day for the last 3 days and wondering "can I do it"

Well I decided to just get out and do it. I ran on the indoor track at the Y and got all 5 miles done and was able to maintain a 12 min pace throughout. Not fast by any stretch of the imagination but I was really happy I was able to maintain it.

I swam this morning because I think it helps w/ recovery . My legs were pooped out so I wore zoomer fins to help them float :D

so 5 down and 8 to go :)

40 minutes- 5 easy, 30 hard, 5 easy. I shocked myself by doing all 40 minutes, hydrating is paying off! Went and bought new shoes I will try out tonight. I did get aggravated because the HR strap slipped and I didn't get an accurate reading of my workout. Not that I really know what to do with the information but I like it. :rolleyes:

I have a pretty ugly blister on my left foot in the arch, going to see if I can locate NuSkin before tonights run. An aside, I used to use NuSkin in my past life as a competitive bowler.

Aggie, good luck protecting your blister. I used to get awful blisters in my arches. If you can't find NuSkin, I used to find that just a plain 1" band-aid with a little Neosporin on the pad as lubricant was enough to protect it.

What are you using to prevent those blisters? I never did find out why I was getting them, but I started using BlisterBlock on my arches before every run (also heavier wool socks), and I haven't had a blister on my arches since. I've been a little nervous since I've been trying to increase the mileage, but so far, so good.

I'm feeling a lot better, but still a bit weak. I'm going to try to get out for a little jog here before my massage (re-scheduled from Tuesday). Can't wait for that! :D

What is blister block? I just started back running in earnest. Don't remember having an issue with them before. My socks fit snugly but aren't thin, I hate the thin cycling style socks a lot of people wear. They are moisture wicking Hanes I think I got at Target or the dreaded Wally World.

Last night I did have one of those bandaid blister protectors on it but it slid and the blister was just worse when I was done! :mad:

Blister Block is the poor woman's BodyGlide. :p It's a J&J product that's sold in the drug stores next to the bandages (so it's a lot easier to find than BodyGlide, which I've never actually tried). It's a stick lubricant, mainly crisco but a few other ingredients that I'm not sure if they're functional or not (maybe I should just try plain crisco - wouldn't buy the stuff otherwise! :p). Seriously, it doesn't turn liquid on skin contact the way I remember crisco doing, so I guess the other ingredients are some kind of stabilizers, or the oil is more hydrogenated, or something.

I resisted trying lubes for the longest time, always had this idea that they'd just soak into my socks and not work. I'd protect my feet with Spenco Adhesive Knit which was hard to find and not 100% effective. But the Blister Block is working great.


And, I can't say enough about wool socks. Not enough to prevent my blisters by themselves, but any more I don't wear anything else, year round. Just about 24/7! :D


EDIT: I mean, I don't wear any other socks. Yes, I do wear something besides my wool socks. :cool:

Oh thanks! I have to go to Walgreen's at lunch, I will peruse the options. I would like to try something other than nuskin honestly. After 15 years of bowling and the occasional torn open thumb I would be happy to never feel that burn again!

I'm not sure Blister Block will be enough to protect a blister you already have. :(

But I've never tried it that way, so who knows.

If I am going to make it through the seven miler Saturday morning I think I am going to have to suck it up and buy some nuskin. But I have a mild blister (more like just a rub) on the right foot so I may get that Blister Block. This training program may kill me. :p

Should I be wearing something other than my cycling socks for running? The thought of socks that are thicker worries me. My feet, particularly the one with the bunion are worse when I wear thick socks. When I hike, x country ski, or snow shoe, I end up wearing the thin, long wool socks that are for x country skiing. I cannot wear wool hiking socks, they are just too thick and I have ended up miserable on a few excursions.
Going to body glide my left foot tomorrow...

I see a lot of people wearing cycling socks for running but I don't not like the feel. I have worn smart wool socks and loved it though. Actually my favorites are these new TEKO Merino Socks I got at the REI clearance, they are a midweight a little thinner than Smartwool cycling socks. I personally do not like thin socks, I think it is personal preference. I also cannot wear road shoes, I wear light weight trail runners even for asphalt which makes my running co-workers balk at me.

This morning I was working at the Y, so after finishing my shift I ran 20 minutes (barefoot) on the crummy track and then did my strength training. I've decided that track is really not a good idea to use--it is so small and sloped that it messes up my form and is likely to lead to problems. Plus the surface is pretty hard. So I guess it'll be the treadmill if I want to run at that Y--ugh!

SadieKate alerted me to this product...they go on your SHOES, not your skin:

Engo Patches

I don't get blisters from my running shoes but do from my XC classic ski boots. Or did. The Engo Patch seems to have solved the problem. I picked them up at my LRS but I suspect they are sold in most higher-end sporting goods stores.

On another note, I LOVE the Injinji socks (aka "toe socks"). Don't knock 'em until you try 'em.

Oh, and I've not been running as much as I'd like this week (I've missed one day so far). I am so freaking sore from Crossfit...but in a good way. It's a good feeling!

Thank goodness I haven't blistered yet :eek:

before I really started thinking about running I bought some asic running socks just because they were on clearance.
They are actually right and left footed and padded in strategic areas w/ some support around the arches. I have no idea if they are any better than anything else but my feet don't hurt and I don't have blisters so I am not going to mess w/ success at this time.

Just another bit of info if anyone is a new runner - I learned I was tying my shoes wrong :rolleyes: I switched and my shoes never come untied anymore. Just think what a person can learn 45 years later. :p
Also I watched a couple of other short videos on runnersworld.com that showed different ways to lace your shoes to alleviate different problems. Very cool and they actually work.
Anyway they would be worth checking out to see if that helps alleviate blistering.

Tonight I did 30 minutes easy run on asphalt (normally do caliche trail). I figure the run I am training for won't be on caliche I better get used to some pavement.

I wore my new shoes and they felt alright. I also wore NuSkin and running socks. My blister was not noticeable. I wonder if the thicker socks were the culprits? Hard to know when so many variables changed. Stay tuned....

I know one thing tomorrow is a rest day and my little body is ready!! Next week's schedule arrived in my inbox, I am not looking forward to the 40 minutes of intervals on Monday or my self imposed hill training I am starting. :p

I went for a 30 min run today. My legs were tired and felt heavy. Yesterday I rode 20 miles on my MTN bike and Sunday - Tue were were up at one of the 10th mtn huts doing a lot of back-country skiing. My legs are pretty tired. I hope to go for a longer run on Saturday. I will have to see as I am on-call.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Crankin

Should I be wearing something other than my cycling socks for running? The thought of socks that are thicker worries me. My feet, particularly the one with the bunion are worse when I wear thick socks. When I hike, x country ski, or snow shoe, I end up wearing the thin, long wool socks that are for x country skiing. I cannot wear wool hiking socks, they are just too thick and I have ended up miserable on a few excursions.
Going to body glide my left foot tomorrow...

---

If it's any comfort, I just wear my regular ankle "gym socks" (Fila brand, cotton) for running. For the distances I do (< 5 miles), they seem fine. I am sure for longer distance, there are better alternatives, but so long as the cycling socks aren't bothering you and you're not getting blisters (I'm not), I think you're fine. :)

Today is 100% off day Yippee! ! ! !

I did my 2 mile run yesterday and did fine but went faster than I should have - I know that I am supposed to keep the recovery days slower but I thought "Only 2 miles" and I ended up pushing it some - still not fast by ANY stretch of the imagination but about 40 sec per mile faster than what I was doing.

I can tell exactly when my HR gets over a certain point by even 1 beat because that is when my breathing gets laboured.

I was having trouble w/ the insides of my calves/shins especially the right one then I figured it out that everyday I have been running it has been the same direction on the track (they change odd/even days) So it was the constant cornering that was doing it.
It is the muscle that is impossible to stretch out.

One of my students was there and showed me how to stretch it using one of the calf raise machines Ahhhhhhh instant relief. Now I know I have to do that every time I run on the track.

So THAT is an advantage to treadmills - no constant cornering - just constant boredom.

Eclectic- I am also training for a half and having trouble with the easy tempo. Yesterday I decided to run asphalt in my rolling hilly neighborhood since I have been running on flat caliche but didn't factor the 20 mph headwind. I try to keep my HR below a certain level but the wind was a big problem with it yesterday. :rolleyes: I am really struggling with tempo but trying to at least make time which this is a lot more than I have been running so that is a challenge.

Tomorrow is 7 miles, what you got on tap? I am glad to be on rest day today, might take the bike on an easy ride just to keep the muscles loose.

I had a pretty successful run on the treadmill today, after taking everyone's advice. I went at a very quiet time at the gym, about 2:30. After warming up for 5 minutes, walking, I decided that instead of breaking it up with intervals of running and walking every 2-5 minutes, I would run longer at slower speeds. Basically, I ran straight for 18 minutes between 5.2 and 5.8 mph. My HR was 10 pts. lower than it had been last time. Then I walked for 2 minutes and resumed running between 5.7 and 6.0 for ten more minutes. Like you, Eclectic, I can tell exactly when I am at 5.9-6.0 because my HR goes up to 167, which doesn't feel that great. I am breathing hard. After ten minutes of that, another 2 minute walk, I ran another 2 minutes and 22 seconds to get to 3 miles, between 5.7 and 6.0. So, I did 3 miles in 32 minutes, 22 seconds.
I also noticed my foot area where the blister wants to start doesn't start hurting until I am running close to 6.0. It's definitely my bunion and my foot swelling. I used the Body Glide, which did help. I might go to the running store and see if I can get different socks.
I did all my stretching and core stuff afterwards and I feel much better today than I did last time. I really was itching to run outside, but there's just nowhere to run, with all of the slop. Hopefully, I won't be too sore because I am going x country skiing out in western MA tomorrow with my friends; my husband is away and since he is the slow skier, they will be pushing me! Probably will run again Monday.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

Eclectic- I am also training for a half and having trouble with the easy tempo. Yesterday I decided to run asphalt in my rolling hilly neighborhood since I have been running on flat caliche but didn't factor the 20 mph headwind. I try to keep my HR below a certain level but the wind was a big problem with it yesterday. :rolleyes: I am really struggling with tempo but trying to at least make time which this is a lot more than I have been running so that is a challenge.

Tomorrow is 7 miles, what you got on tap? I am glad to be on rest day today, might take the bike on an easy ride just to keep the muscles loose.

---

20 mph headwinds are strong! They make a huge difference AND they blow your hat off :mad: Good for you on running it.
Good luck w/ the 7 miler! tomorrow is only 3 for me. I have picked my long day to be Tuesdays just because it works into recovery better for me but we shall see how it works. Tuesday is to be 6 miles. I don't hit 7 miles for 2 more weeks. I am currently on week 4 of a 16 week plan.

Doing a slow spin on your bike would be good. (unless it is into a 20mph headwind again :rolleyes: I swim the day of and the day after because it really makes my body feel better. I should be swimming harder but right now I am just using it for recovery.

I just hooked up w/ the local running group and they are doing a group run at the indoor track at the university dome so I may join them instead of going to the Y, change of circular scenery will be nice and there is a family violence fundraising walk going on at the same time on the lower level so there will be music and fun.
I am slow . . . they are fast . . . . but that is the way I started biking with a group and now I am faster :D
I do hope the direction for the day is opposite what I did yesterday

On a side note one of the group runners just finished a CA marathon - can't remember the name and finished it 3:36 - probably not a big deal to some of you but he was in the 65-69 age group! and w/ that time he came in 2nd.
Anyway I thought "I am only 52, no problem, I have lots of years left to get better at this" :D Very motivating

Hi Ladies,
I am not great at keeping up with the posting but continue to try to train. I run tomorrow AM with local running group of mixed skill from moderate pace and new. It's always great to run with a mix. A few of us are running our long run on Sunday AM. I just can't get any runs in on the days I work 12 hour shifts so I am trying to get all my training in 4 days.

I have been attending an evening Yoga class and absoulutely love it! I had bought a book and started practicing at home and I really like it. I am hoping it will help prevent injuries and decrease my stress level. I sleep so good after a class and feel like it helps after a run to decrease soreness.

Aggie and Eclectic when are your half marathons?? Anybody running Salt Lake City Half or Odgen Utah half??????

I am so ready for nice weather and a ride on the bike!!

Shiraz: Great for you to be doing yoga. I think you are right about decreasing injuries with it. I'm kicking myself for abandoning yoga over the fall -- when I started running longer miles I paid for it. So keep it up! I'm back to 2x / week minimum and am so glad! Now if I could get my calf to agree to start running again, I'd have a new outlook! Keep up the good work all!

Mine is April 4th. I haven't signed up- yet. See I haven't done any long runs in years. After the 7 miler (heading out for) and the 8 miler next week I will sign up.

Eclectic- I didn't go ride- too windy. Tomorrow I think I am going to mountain bike at the easy trail though. Might be a bit much before doing intervals Monday but the winds mean either stay in our ride the trails. I am hoping to mountain bike through training so tomorrow will be a test.

Welp, I did my last "long" run before next weekend's 25K yesterday (12 mi) and it was a challenge given the drizzle, mud, and snow. I was going to just run on pavement but the pull of the muddy/snow-covered trail was too great. :p Plus next weekend's race is pretty technical and has quite a lot of uphill, so I wanted to get the brain a little more engaged with that aspect of trail running. The snow I don't mind, as long as I don't break through. The mud, however, kicked my butt. And then I went to Crossfit later in the day. W-I-P-E-D. Today I think I will service the bottom bracket on my road bike and maybe go for a walk/jog later. Maybe. :rolleyes: