Running up that hill.... Sept. 17-23

[alpinerabbit]

Last night we ran from down in the city up the Uetliberg, that's the local "mountain". Total about 10k with 500m elevation gain, time 1:20. Alright, more like slowly plodded up there. But I did not walk any of it.

I was of course in the back, slowest group but the coach stuck with us to show us the way.

He said if I can do this I can do a half marathon.

[michelem]

Wow! Good job, alpinerabbit! I took a look at your training log and LOVE the photos. You live in a beautiful area.

Last night, did my long run on the treadmill at the gym - can you say BORING? I don't like that it is getting dark earlier so I can't run outside.

Anyway, it was a 10-miler - my first. I made it in 95 minutes total and then added another 10 minute walking cooldown. Had gastro distress and really want to learn how to deal with this! I was fine starting out, but as the run progressed my belly began to bloat and then I even passed some gas! Thankfully nobody was nearby. I tried doing the small sips of replacement drink starting at 3 miles and then a sip per mile. That was really all I could tolerate of drinking, so I think I drank MAYBE 8oz. during the run, if I was lucky - probably more like 6 oz. I sweated a lot. Finished the bottle after my run and just felt sick. Had to force myself to eat something when I got home and couldn't drink much water at all. My pee was DARK this morning, so I know I'm dehydrated now (didn't pee at all after my run last night, 'til this morning).

My tummy was huge and hard by the time I finished my run, and while it's gone down some this morning, I still feel full. Drank about a litre of water on my way in to work though.

And, another thing, my right hip flexor is TIGHT and SORE! I've never had this before. I'm supposed to do the Tahoe-Sierra Century this weekend (if it doesn't rain and snow as predicted - I'm not going if the weather is nasty), so I am going to take the rest of the week off to rest.

Hope everyone else has some great runs this week!

[alpinerabbit]

Did an easy 30 minutes today - wanted to shake out the legs from yesterday. I only feel a bit sore in the groin area otherwise I was fine??!!

[emily_in_nc]

Not a hill, but I just had to tell you running gals that I had two personal bests on the treadmill today -- my first four mile run EVER IN MY LIFE (I'm 46) and my highest speed ever (6.2 mph for a short period - maybe 1/2 mile). I know these are small accomplishments to the experienced runners here, but for me, they are huge. I was an asthmatic and out of shape child, and even after getting into cycling as an adult (since DH was a cyclist), I could never run worth a darn. I started this year (after fracturing my pelvis in a cycling accident in '05) and have slooooowly been working my way up in both mileage and speed. I'm still really bad outside (on the hills), but on the treadmill, I am actually starting to feel like a *runner* now. I also know what "runner's high" feels like!

As I was cooling down today, a guy actually asked me if I was training for a marathon. He was probably just flirting, but I didn't mind one bit being taken for a "serious athlete". Nor being flirted with at my age...

Anyway, just had to share -- I was bursting at the seams to tell someone, but not many here at work would "get it". I knew you would.

Emily

[limewave]

Sounds like a week of accomplishments!

I did speed work at the track this week.
1x400, 2x800, 1x1200 and drum roll please . . . \/\/\/\/\/\/\/ 1x1600 at 8:20/mile pace!

The fastest mile I have ever run before that was 9:10. Now, if I can only keep that pace for a 10k or a marathon

[northstar]

Did my 4.3 mile loop for the last time before my duathlon on Sunday. Felt good...I think I will be tempted to get out for a short, slow jog tomorrow. We'll see.

Think happy thoughts for me for Sunday. I'm nervous, yet excited about all the good it's done for me to commit to doing something healthy.

[michelem]

Congrats Emily! That is so cool! My aunt didn't start running 'til she turned 50 (never really exercised at all before that). She joined the jr. college cross-country team and flourished! She was quite the inspiration to many of the young students.

I'm in my late-30's and just started getting semi-serious about running a couple months ago - training for a 1/2 marathon to raise $$$ for pancreatic research in memory of my aunt. I don't know if I'll ever LOVE running like she did, but I am beginning to find the joy in each little improvement, so I understand where you're coming from!

Keep on enjoying yourself, and feel free to keep sharing you exciting accomplisments with us.

[michelem]

The rain cleared and it was cool (60's) when I got home from work, so I was a bad mom and stuck the dogs back in their crate so I could go do an outdoor run. Did a "short" (approx 7 miles) run in approx. 1 hr. 5 min. More intestinal discomfort.

Wasn't gonna run anymore this week in preparation for the Tahoe-Sierra Century on Saturday, but seeing as the rain (and snow) is supposed to return tomorrow night and last through Saturday . . . glad I went for a run tonight!

[kelownagirl]

Congratulations Emily! You sound a lot like me - a late bloomer. Now we're making up for it!

I'm not running or biking right now and I think the PT and the stretching is making me worse, not better. IT band, piriformis, bursitis in hip. Bad news. My advice to you all, don't increase your workload faster than your body can keep up. I am my own worst enemy.

[roadie gal]

It snowed here late Wednesday night. (Yes, SNOW) So I got on the treadmill yesterday. I put 4 CDs in the stereo on shuffle and ran for 9 miles. 1 hr 23 minutes. Do I get "mental toughness points" for that?

[emily_in_nc]

I'm not running or biking right now and I think the PT and the stretching is making me worse, not better. IT band, piriformis, bursitis in hip. Bad news. My advice to you all, don't increase your workload faster than your body can keep up. I am my own worst enemy.

That's a real drag - so sorry. I had bad ITB syndrome three years ago. Silly me tried to do four centuries in 6 weeks -- no wonder my body rebelled! So, you are quite correct. That's one reason I am increasing the running distances and speed so sloooooowly. Also because I am just too busy to do much more at this point.

Good luck in your healing. Being injured is no fun. I had to stay off the bike for a couple of weeks with my ITB syndrome, then only ride flats for awhile, and short rides. Gradually added back hills and mileage and have never had a recurrence. I've stretched it religiously ever since.

Emily

[michelem]

roadie gal -

YES - major "mental toughness points" for that! Treadmill running is a fate worse than death, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I've been having to do more of it lately due to later sunrise/earlier sunset and poor weather. Bleh.

I'm impressed.

[HappyAnika]

Emily - Congrats on your accomplishments! I totally know where you are coming from. My longest run ever is just under 4 miles.

Roadie Gal - SNOW!!! I'm so jealous, I can't wait. This summer started early and just refuses to end. It's pleasant in the mornings, even ran in long sleeves last weekend, but afternoons are still getting up in the high 80's BLEH! (Ok, it has snowed in the mtns, but not down here).

I have just been running once a week for about 30 min. I should try to build up a few more minutes over the next few weeks so I can still do my 5k in Oct (which will take me 40 - 45 min). Last Saturday was the first time I felt my belly bouncing. May have to look into one of those maternity "belly bras" eventually.

[northstar]

I did the Iron Girl duathlon on the 23rd (race report is in the race results section). Two 2-mile runs, the first in 16:29, and the second in 17:11. I was really happy with my times. I wanted to stay at or around a 9 minute mile pace, and exceeded my expectations!

[solobiker]

I totally stink at running up hills. I used to run a lot in HS and back in 2001 I was training for a marathon and still never got good at running hills. Wasn't able to do the marathon due to hamstring issues. My IT band also flairs up with running or too much Tele skiing. So congrats to all of you for all of your great achievements. I have been running only 2x a week for about 30 min, bike about 2-3x a week and do quite a bit of hiking on the weekends. I am trying to get ready for back-country skiing