Should we try this again? Running Aug. 1-?

Been missing the weekly running thread, so why not take the initiative?

Today was just an easy 3 miles around the neighborhood, shaking out the stiffness from yesterday's tough 9 miles (did the steepest hill in town into a stiff headwind).

We've just had a new local half-marathon announced, for Halloween morning. It's awesome-- I'd been looking for a half somewhere not to far away, and this is in the next town west from here. Awesome! And there's plenty of time to decide on a costume (maybe something of a punk-rock theme).

Yay!

I've been such a slug I have to admit I hadn't really missed the thread. But thanks for bringing it back. I just signed up for the Columbus marathon. :eek:

Did 12 on Friday and whoo, yikes. I'm pretty sure that up to 18 or so will come back pretty quickly though, not like getting there the first time. That's what my magic 8-ball says, anyway. :rolleyes:

Yippie!

Hard/Hilly trail 20 miler! 4 weeks from my ironman!

I was stressed out (still am, actually) today b/c I am taking the nurse practitioner boards tomorrow morning, so I made sure to get out for a good run. I was out for about an hour and ten minutes on the trails and did some jumps and short sprints (six of them, about 20-25 seconds each) at a couple of points. The run felt really good since it wasn't too hot out today (and the two cups of coffee I had after church may have given me some extra energy as well). It definitely helped with my frame of mind but the only thing that will really get rid of this stress is passing that test tomorrow!!!

Good luck on the boards Jolt!

I passed the boards--SUCH a relief!!!

Awesome, Jolt! You really worked hard.
How is the job search going?
Oops, off topic.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Awesome, Jolt! You really worked hard.
How is the job search going?
Oops, off topic.

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It's going well--I have had two interviews and should hear a final decision from one of the places within the next day or two; the other is having me come in for a second interview (with the surgeons I would be working with) on Friday. So, hopefully I will have something lined up soon! Either way I will be moving (MA doesn't have anything for new grads in my specialty) but both places look pretty good (both are in the Northeast).

Way to go Jolt! And how lucky you are to get your results right away! It was something like two months for the bar exam.

Good luck on the job search.

Congrats, Jolt!!

My run yesterday was part of my sprint tri. It sucked in terms of speed, but was actually fairly enjoyable as far as tri runs go. I guess that means that I didn't push nearly hard enough. :rolleyes:

I wore shoes, but that course would be pretty good for barefoot running. Too bad the park is so far away from me or I could use it for training. Lots of varied terrain which I like. Maybe I'll run it barefoot next year. ;)

Congratulations, Jolt! Great job. I know that must be a relief to have that behind you.

3 mile hill work out this morning. I'm trying to get faster and pushed myself to run faster when I felt like slowing down.

I haven't run in weeks. The hip is happy. I have been doing some fast walking (4-4.3 mph) a couple of times a week. Today I had the urge to go out on the trails. It's been so dry, I figured it wouldn't be too wet or buggy. The trail from my neighborhood was the least wet I have seen it ever, but it was overgrown and there were several trees down (ones with trail markers). Even though the trail abuts my street, it can be a little disorienting when you get in the woods. But, I had a nice surprise when I reached the main trail that is part of the town network. The town has obviously done some trail maintenance. It was wide and cleared! Not an obstacle in sight. I walked up to where it meets a trail in the next town, which is in a field next to some horse properties. The field was full of wildflowers, totally different scenery than the woods. On the way back, instead of taking the main trail back to a street and walking on the street or going back the way I came, I took the "ski slope" trail, which climbs a ridge with a 20% or more grade up to the houses across the street from me. That trail was cleared and nice. I haven't been in these woods since I snow shoed in March.
It was about 4 miles and I got a good workout. I am itching to take my mountain bike out on the town trail, as it's in shape for wimps like me.

I did a little over seven. Man, was it hot. I was really glad I brought a lot of water.

I did the shortest loop I can do from home. I think maybe I'd never done that loop before, or if I had, I sure didn't remember Mount F****** Everest in the middle of it. :eek: I knew it wasn't just me (or the heat) when a car went by and I heard its engine straining to get up the steep grade.

Anyway, this is me, trying to find some discipline again. :cool:

I've really let my running go this summer :(
But that's also meant I've done ALOT more biking this season :D

There's a 1/2 Mary in the fall that I was kind of wanting to do, but we couldn't fit it in our schedules. Our plans just changed and now I can do it!

BUT, I only have 6 weeks to train.
AND I have a big mountain bike race in 2 weeks.

Is it smart to start ramping up my running training while I'm tapering for a long mountain bike race?

Somebody else can tell you better than I can, since I know zero about training to race for both disciplines.

But I will say that taper is taper, and if you're serious about your MTB race, then you don't want to be ramping up or even doing much running during your taper.

On the other hand, cardio fitness is also cardio fitness, and I've found that regular cycling allows me to run much longer distances on much less weekly mileage than most running-only sites recommend.

I'm a little bit in the same position with having let myself go earlier in the summer, and now training for a mid-October marathon. What I've done is to jump back in and see how it feels (so far, okay). I think that if you do a test long run today or tomorrow morning, at an easy pace, just to see where your fitness level is now, if it were me it would be far enough out that it wouldn't hurt my taper too much. That would hopefully give you some feedback on where you are now and what it will take to ramp it back up. Then just incorporate a very little bit of running into your taper for the next week - none in the days leading up to your race - just to keep it in muscle memory. Then start ramping up the mileage after your race.

But if I were you, I also would not take advice from someone who has a hypothetical magic 8-ball for her own coach. :p:cool:

Congrats, Jolt. :)

I did around 4 with the dog yesterday, it's still too hot for her even when it's not too hot. Doggie cooling jacket here we come. I feel like longer runs, but she doesn't. ;) Soon I'll be running her and then running me.

Glad thread started again. Was scheduled for a 30 min run yesterday. Did a walk/run with SO, so it was a slow easy pace. Had to do it before dawn to avoid the heat (that's a laugh it was above 80 & humid)
Today is another 30 min run, I'll be heading to the gym & the dreadmill.
I joined a running group to train for my 1/2 marathon. It is geared toward newbies, but I wanted the schedule, accountability & group paced runs. Well after this past Sat I almost got on TE to rant/vent. But I am trying to have an open mind & just focus on getting what I need out of it. We shall see how the next group run goes.
K

Way to go, Jolt!

Today the plan was for speedwork-- intervals over at the track. But when I opened the door to let the dog out at 5 am and realized it was already 80 F and humid, that plan got changed. 2 slow, sweat-dreanched miles, and that was plenty. I'm thinking of walking over to choir practice tonight, then running home, but it'll probably still be beastly hot at dusk...

Feeling the pressure of doing a 1/2 mary, I did running intervals after my bike intervals (6 hours apart, so there was some recovery time). I shortened my normal bike interval workout by about 30 minutes in anticipation of my run.

30 minutes of intervals at the track. Watched the sunset. Then did some pilates/strength training in the middle of the football field. Very peaceful.

This month's Runner's World magazine has a cover story on finishing a 13.1 in under two hours.

Okay, I've started walking/running and I'm working on being able to run a 5K so I can add that to my tri training. I decided to do a 5K every day in August. Mainly 'cause it rhymes so nicely, but also because I need to ramp up the daily aerobic exercise. I started by walking 1.5 miles twice a day, then I combined them, and then I did it on the beach, and today I walked along the clifftop from La Jolla Cove to beyond the children's pool and back, and then around the big lawn a few times to clear 5k.

Now, what I'm wondering, is is this is an unrealistic goal. Considering my current fitness level (my fast walk is 3.4 mph) and that I'm 100 pounds overweight and 45 years old, am I overreaching?

DH bought me a Forerunner 310X so I can crosstrain and I've been using it to time intervals. I'll walk for two minutes, run for two, walk for two, run for two (and by "run," I mean a really slow jog -- 3.8 mpg). I'm trying to get up to running the whole way.

I also have a neuroma in the ball of my left foot. After about a mile and a half, it feels like I'm walking on a hot stone in my shoe. I just try to shake it off. I need to lose weight and I'll never be able to conquer Kona if I can't conquer Mira Mesa Blvd.

Walking on the beach barefoot didn't hurt nearly as bad as walking in the schmancy Nike shoes and Shoe Dog foam insert I bought. Go figure.

But 3.1 miles seems so doable. My hips are tired when I'm done, and my left foot hurts, but that's fixed when I take off my shoes and do some stretches.

And I've lost six pounds since last Friday. It might be water loss, but I'm actually looking forward to this Friday's weigh-in.

Roxy

Update: Aug 5 - Doggoneit. Five days in and I've injured my right knee. It's the jogging that's done me in, I think. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. I may need a rest day before I can continue this 5k Everyday project.

So yesterday was a 25 min run. I was at the gym for regular workout so I hoped on the dreadmill and did it. I have to "play" with the buttons...slowing increasing pace, down then back up. So I ran w/ my friend at a 10:30 min pace last weekend...but 5.6 or 5.7 on the dreadmill and I am begging for a walk break...what gives?

Today as a 30 min run. Got up before work and out on teh street before sunrise. Again, pace low/slow. No where near the 10:30? Was it the lack of coffee?? someone to challenge me??

I run w/ the running group tomorrow AM. We are scheduled for 4 miles. My friend will be there again, so can I do it? Can I run a 10:30 with her? We shall see. I WANT to since I want to increase my speed and get under 2:10 for my 1/2 marathon. I'll report later!

BTW...I was supposed to do 3 runs this week and I did ALL 3 of them. :D
Finally, completed a week in the training plan as outlined!

K

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Originally Posted by katluvr

BTW...I was supposed to do 3 runs this week and I did ALL 3 of them. :D
Finally, completed a week in the training plan as outlined!

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Awesome. :)

I can't use the treadmill as any kind of representation of normal traveling speed on the road, and sometimes it messes up my cadence and the way I run on the road for the next 1-2 runs, too. Maybe you were just down on yourself after the treadmill experience and your run reflected it, or maybe you're just on a slower week, OR maybe the other person is what you need. Probably a little of everything. Stay positive. ;)

Way to go Kat!

Rox, I know there are some other people on here with neuromas ... if a search doesn't turn anything up, maybe start a new thread. You might also peek in at the barefoot running thread, which has a whole lot of discussion about things you can do to make shoes safer, also. Are you working to strengthen your hips? They're so important for running, but running alone won't strengthen them, because the big muscles do so much of the work in propelling us forward that the smaller ones never get a chance to get stronger.

I did 14.5 today - felt pretty good, but I was ready to be done, too. Beautiful day, so much cooler than it's been. Supposed to be back up in the 90s again next week, but I'll take it while it lasts.

Then I barely had time to stretch, cold bath, shower and take in my laundry before I had to go volunteer at the local art festival. Spent the next three hours on my feet helping artists set up their booths. Had my compression tights on under my jeans, though. Barely had a chance to eat anything. :rolleyes: One of these days I'll figure out this whole post-run thing.

It's way too stinkin' hot-n-humid here in NC for running outside (for me, I'm a sweat machine), but I did manage two 5K treadmill runs this week. The first one I felt slow and logy, like every muscle and joint was just dead. The second one, two days later, I felt like the Energizer Bunny. No idea why, but it was a great feeling!

Looking forward to fall runs outside!

Well, I finally got back out and ran -on dirt-no less for just over 2 miles. No adverse feelings of overdoing it, no high heart rate ..etc. It was a nice run. I was plesantly sandblasted with the red dirt as I started into a headwind of 15-20 mph? It was enough to pick the dirt up from the road so you could see it. I came home with red shins and forarms:)

I have been on the track doing 2.5 miles previouse to now. Ran into some health problems that have set me back some. However, today was a great day. Postive all the way around.

So now that I have found some dirt, I will practice gradually moving my time up on that to see how things go.

Red Rock

Oh girls I'm almost embarassed to be posting in this thread:o I have NOT been running this summer hardly at all. I just moved to a new state and I want to get back with my running. I have been riding with new groups/people here and that was pushing me out of my comfort zone. I'm not good at change but I'm working on it. I still want to push out of my comfort zone yet a little more and start running again..... help I need somewhere to start. :eek:

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Originally Posted by WindingRoad

Oh girls I'm almost embarassed to be posting in this thread:o I have NOT been running this summer hardly at all. I just moved to a new state and I want to get back with my running. I have been riding with new groups/people here and that was pushing me out of my comfort zone. I'm not good at change but I'm working on it. I still want to push out of my comfort zone yet a little more and start running again..... help I need somewhere to start. :eek:

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My advice: just start. :) Find a place to run, and go running. It could be around your neighborhood, a park, local roads, whatever.

I ran 10k today (in my five fingers sprints without socks, feet are not happy at the widest part where they overrun the seams of the shoe/liner) as a part of an olympic distance tri, I am embarrassed to say this is the farthest I've ran since my Ironman. I remember thinking last year, I should really train a little more for this race (as in, I should train for this race at all). I had the same thought this year. :p It's a hilly bike, and the run just feels longer than it should when you've only been racing 5ks. I finished the run in 0:59:23, which is okay (last year was 1:02:57, so I did drop 3:30), but I need to step it up a little more. The last mile was pretty tough, and 2 women in my AG passed me (though they complimented my bike time ;)). I'll put up a real report tomorrow.

I'm really hoping to get more running time in this week.

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Originally Posted by WindingRoad

Oh girls I'm almost embarassed to be posting in this thread:o I have NOT been running this summer hardly at all. I just moved to a new state and I want to get back with my running. I have been riding with new groups/people here and that was pushing me out of my comfort zone. I'm not good at change but I'm working on it. I still want to push out of my comfort zone yet a little more and start running again..... help I need somewhere to start. :eek:

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Winding, just put those shoes on and go. Doesn't matter how far or fast, just do it (omg I sound like a Nike commercial):eek:

Great job Colby. Can't wait to read the race report.

Just finished 3 miles. I set my Garmin to show average pace and pushed myself keep it under 11mm pace. I so want to get faster and want to run a respectable 10mm. I was able to keep it under 11mm for 2.5 miles but the last half mile kicked my butt. I was a noodle. It felt good though.

I am a beginning runner. This morning ran the same route and time as I did on Thursday; 2.75 miles in 34 min. That's 12.5 minutes/mile. That is just a comfortable jogging pace for me, but I'd like to do three miles without stopping to walk. Hills, even small inclines really take it out of me. I like doing them in a way though, b/c I know they're great for my arse. I think I have the best running shoes in the world, Asics Gel Nimbus 11's, a brand new pair (my second pair but the first pair was not used for running). It amazes me that something that causes me so much sweat burns less than 300 calories. Is that right, you think? That's what my gps app on my phone tells me (MapMyRide).

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Originally Posted by BluOrchid2

I am a beginning runner. This morning ran the same route and time as I did on Thursday; 2.75 miles in 34 min. That's 12.5 minutes/mile. That is just a comfortable jogging pace for me, but I'd like to do three miles without stopping to walk. Hills, even small inclines really take it out of me. I like doing them in a way though, b/c I know they're great for my arse. I think I have the best running shoes in the world, Asics Gel Nimbus 11's, a brand new pair (my second pair but the first pair was not used for running). It amazes me that something that causes me so much sweat burns less than 300 calories. Is that right, you think? That's what my gps app on my phone tells me (MapMyRide).

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Calories are (generally) a function of your heart rate (the higher the more you burn) and your weight (the heavier you are, the more calories you burn). Depending on how they arrive at their estimates, they could be really low (running a 12.5 min/mi takes you more effort than they estimate a "runner" takes) or high (takes you less effort, or you weigh significantly less). I don't know if the MapMyRide app takes into account the incline of your terrain, either. The closest estimate you can get is really by using your own heart monitor. I've found that estimates from places like Daily Plate for calories burned running are low compared to my HRM.

Back to the hot weather. It was 90° after my aerobics class when I went to the fitness trail to run intervals, 9 x 1 min, with an abbreviated warmup since I'd come straight from the gym.

I actually had to back off the pace of the last two because I felt like I was starting to overheat. When I look at the track my HR wasn't outrageously high - topping out at 181, about normal for intervals - but I was starting to feel just slightly dizzy, so it was probably the better part of valor to take the last two not quite all-out. (Even though the trail is right next to the hospital. ;))

Then back to the gym for my shower, and after that it felt just FREEZING in there.

The heat's back here too, after a short respite. What a difference it makes! Ran a relaxed 4 miles this morning, and was drenched in sweat after just 10 minutes.

We're in the midst of some major roadwork downtown, all of it running behind schedule. And so the announcement has gone out that yes, Sat. evening's 5k is still on, but the traditional route isn't going to be passible and they haven't decided on a new one yet. And they probably won't until they see the state of the roads when the crews stop work on Sat. afternoon. Maybe we'll end up with an urban steeplechase!

I know if I'm going to do this marathon I need to be doing more volume than when I trained for the first one ... I've got 17 on the menu for Friday and I think that will be make-or-break, whether I decide to go ahead and do it, or transfer my registration to the half or defer until next year.

So I just did 4-1/2 today, slow, in the hottest part of the day because it's August for crying out loud and I need to get acclimated some time, and also because I just am NOT a morning runner. :rolleyes:

I actually saw another runner while I was out. I think it was someone I've seen before ... the first warm day this year, when it was over 80° and no one was acclimated to more than 60°, running in a hoodie. I thought she was crazy and dangerous then. Maybe she had the right idea. She was still running on the wrong side of the road both times though. :cool::p

Tomorrow's a riding day ... then Thursday I teach aerobics and I might just take the rest of the day off before my long run on Friday.

Be careful, Oak and skhill. It's scary hot out there and training for a marathon in the summer has got to be tough.

So I did not post Saturdays run. It was 4 miles, w/ the "running group" but mostly me and my new "pacer"! I know these runs which are considered my long runs right now should be "conversational pace". And I could talk...just a bit breathless at times. Since they are not really LONG runs to me I am going to keep trying to stay w/ my friend.
So 4 miles in 42:53 = 10:43 avg pace (I'm good with that!)
Miles splits as follows:
mile 1: 11:27 (good warm up)
mile 2: 10:22 (OMG :eek:)
mile 3: 10:27 (at least we were consistent)
mile 4: 10:55 (yep i was slowing a bit)

Had company over the weekend so didnt' do much more. Tuesday AM was a slow 30 min run.
Today is going to be hills of some-sort. If the rain gets over and it is a bit "cooler" post rain I'll head to the bridge for hill repeats, otherwise it off to the dreadmill with variable incline!

Just need to get my pace up during the week when I am running alone.
So I missed the Runner's World with the plan for a 1/2 under 2 hours. I am shooting for under 2:10. Maybe we didn't keep our subscription up!

K

Don't forget that the heat will take 1-2 mm out of your pace.

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Your marathon time is likely to slow by three percent for every 10 degree rise in temperature from 50 F. In other words, you'll run 3 percent slower at 60 F, 6 percent slower at 70 F, 9 percent slower at 80 F, and so on. This isn't gospel; it's just a guideline

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http://peakperformance.runnersworld....urns-warm.html

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Originally Posted by katluvr

Just need to get my pace up during the week when I am running alone.
So I missed the Runner's World with the plan for a 1/2 under 2 hours. I am shooting for under 2:10. Maybe we didn't keep our subscription up!

K

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I am pretty sure I have that one. I can scan and e-mail you the pages if you are interested?

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Don't forget that the heat will take 1-2 mm out of your pace.



http://peakperformance.runnersworld....urns-warm.html

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Does that mean I'll be able to run 8mm by October:D
Ran 3 very hot, humid, sweaty miles this morning--86 deg at 6am. Good work, katluvr, I'm trying to keep it under 11mm myself but it's tough in this heat.

Last night was my first run in over a week! The last time I ran, I blistered the bottoms of my feet running on hot sidewalks barefoot. Oops.

Then last weekend we took a 3 day hiking trip, so I skipped a run or two last week to heal before the trip. The blisters were mostly healed for the trip and they didn't bother me at all while hiking.

Last night was my first scheduled run after returning. I did 2.5 miles with 1 mile in my new huaraches sandals and 1.5 miles barefoot. My pace was faster than usual, too! Unfortunately, my blisters weren't totally healed and I think I ran funny to avoid reinjuring them. I now have sore spots on the opposite sides of my foot! Oy! Luckily, no running again until Saturday and that run will have to be a short one as it'll be 95 that day. Stupid feet.

Back to swimming and biking I go...

I ran about 3 miles with the dog today, and I wore my VFF Bikila rather than my KSOs. It was... different.

They are definitely more clacky-clacky when you walk, and you do lose a little bit of the feeling of the ground against your feet with the additional material. They are a little stiffer around the arch, but I still felt like a prancing pony when running in them just like my KSOs.

The interior barefoot feel is very nice, but they fit differently than my KSOs, too. The toe pockets seem longer, but I switched from mens to womens sizing because the Bikila were not out in my size in mens at the time, so that may have something to do with it. They are both easier and more difficult to get on - easier because the interior feel is nice, I wasn't wearing socks, they have a raised heel piece that lets you grab easier; harder because they fit a little more snugly and I don't feel like I need the strap on them at all (I have wide feet). They don't get water through the bottom like the sprints/KSOs do either - I was able to run through puddles and in grass without getting wet feet from the bottom up.

The true test was whether they marked up my feet, and sadly, yes, they did give me a blister where the arch piece comes up on the inside of the foot where the strap is and there is a seam in the shoe, it's actually more toward the top of my arch rather than deep underneath like the KSOs. I will have to try using some bodyglide there - at least it was a blister and not a hole in my foot like the KSOs and sprints give me barefoot (the sprints mark me up not in the arch, but on the outside of the foot where there's another seam in the shoe as it transitions from shoe to toe).

I really like the feel of them on the inside, I like how they fit, but I don't know that I really need the additional stability in the bottom of the shoe. It didn't really turn me off, it was just a very subtle feedback difference. I am frowny faced about the rubbing on the seams, I don't know if it's just the curse of having feet wider than shoes, if they are perhaps too big and I should try a size down (I'd be very concerned about width and fit), or if I just need to try to get used to it. I probably won't wear them barefoot for long runs, I would bet bodyglide would rub off (if that works) after several miles. We'll see.