Long and Less Long Runs: 3-12 to 3-18

[KSH]

Well, I went and ran 3 miles on the treadmill today (threat of rain) in 33 minutes.

First .75 was great.

Then it all went to heck with a side cramp. It's like everytime I run these days, I get a horrible side cramp.

I try breathing deep, slowing down, stretching out, bending over and breathing out, standing up straighter when I'm running... and NOTHING seems to help. I just keep getting horrible side cramps.

[emily_in_nc]

Poor KSH...I have gotten side cramps on the treadmill if I run after eating. Other than that, no.

Did another three-mile trail run tonight. It is hard for me but a lot more fun than the treadmill. The uphills are killer, since they go on and on.... I can feel it in every muscle in my legs, and my HR eventually goes high enough that I have to walk for 15-20 seconds just to feel like a human being, but if I then start running again, I'm okay.

Like someone else posted, though, it never seems to get *easier*. But being outside again is great - as is the extra light after work, courtesy of daylight savings time!

Emily

[rocknrollgirl]

Emily, keep at it. the hills used to do that to me at first. They will get easier, I promise.

Ruth

[Kimmyt]

So yesterday I had a brainstorm.

I was planning out my weekly training and so I lifted yesterday. As I was lifting I was thinking how I would fit some runs in. I figured I'd run today after work and before the rock gym. Then I got really excited because OH MY GOD YAY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME I DON'T HAVE TO RUN ON THE DREADMILL TOMORROW AFTER WORK!!!

So today after work I headed to the rock gym and ran on the trail next door. I wanted to go easy, because my thighs were screaming like they always are the day after squats and lunges. I hadn't run in awhile (almost a week and a half... but I was skiing the entire time so it's not like I didn't do anything!) so I was worried it would go rough. The first 1/2ish mile were hard. My legs and lungs were screaming. After a while I got into a bit of a rhythm though, and I really felt good around mile 2 (this is a trend for me, i've noticed at around 2 miles I always peak, then I bottom out around 3 or more again).

Ran an estimated 3ish miles, and judging by the time between when I changed at the rock gym and when I got back, I made pretty good time, about a half hour, probably less. It's funny though because I felt SO SLOW but later I passed a guy running (who admittedly wasn't doing too well) so I guess I wasn't as slow as I felt. I noticed though that I was taking smaller steps and while I didn't feel it was super efficient, i didn't get as tired as when I try to lengthen my stride.

All in all pretty good for my first run in awhile!

AND OUTSIDE YAY!

K.

[emily_in_nc]

The first 1/2ish mile were hard. My legs and lungs were screaming. After a while I got into a bit of a rhythm though, and I really felt good around mile 2 (this is a trend for me, i've noticed at around 2 miles I always peak, then I bottom out around 3 or more again).

Me too...exactly! How long have you been running? I just started this winter, but mostly on the treadmill, with an occasional trail run, weather permitting. My longest run is 3.25 miles so far. Nothing like what most of these ladies do, but for me, I'm happy.

Emily

[Grog]

Running seems a little hard for many this week. It's sort of comforting to me.

This morning's run was a little painful, in part due to being stiff from the triathlon - I just felt I couldn't move my legs normally - and also, I believe, because I took my birth control pill BEFORE my run. I'm always careful to take it after, and for some reason this morning I just reached out for it and it was in my mouth by the time I remembered I was getting ready to run. On an empty stomach, it seems to make me feel a little weird.

I'm sorry about the side stitches KSH, they come and go for me and I don't quite know why. I seem to have them about 2-3 times a month, usually in a row. What a pain!!!!!

[Kimmyt]

Me too...exactly! How long have you been running? I just started this winter, but mostly on the treadmill, with an occasional trail run, weather permitting. My longest run is 3.25 miles so far. Nothing like what most of these ladies do, but for me, I'm happy.

Emily

Same here.

I just started this winter, and I've done a few 4-miles, but usually broken by about 5 minutes of walking in between each 2-mile leg. I'm still trying to figure out my stride and comfort level, and I don't want to hurt myself so i am just going as fast and as long as I feel okay with! Like you said, it may not be much compared to some, but compared to what I used to be able to run (aka NONE) it is a vast improvement!

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, keep at it. the hills used to do that to me at first. They will get easier, I promise.

Ruth

Thank you, Ruth -- that gives me hope! Though once it gets super hot/humid here in the summer I probably won't be able to tolerate running any more except on the treadmill in the air-conditioned gym. And riding outside, of course. Running has proven to be a fun cross-training activity for the winter for me, though! And something I never thought I could do...

Emily

[logdiva32]

Well, I went and ran 3 miles on the treadmill today (threat of rain) in 33 minutes.

First .75 was great.

Then it all went to heck with a side cramp. It's like everytime I run these days, I get a horrible side cramp.

I try breathing deep, slowing down, stretching out, bending over and breathing out, standing up straighter when I'm running... and NOTHING seems to help. I just keep getting horrible side cramps.

The only time I get cramps is when I have not had enough H20. I usually run from 2- 4.8 miles (the airfield around my job) bad day 4.8 in 42ish, good day 40 min or less. H20, H20, H20....

[KSH]

Thanks for all the advice ladies. I am certain I need core work.

Otherwise, I do good with my H2O. Honestly, if I drink too much, my tummy gets sloshy and I get cramps from that. I am good at drinking just the right amount.

I ran tonight at the track for 3 miles... in 27 minutes (9 minute miles).

I started out slow and did a few sprints. I made sure to do deep belly breathing and whenever my breathing got too fast or labored... I would slow down and get my breathing under control.

No side cramps!

On the downside, I did get passed and lapped by some guy running in very casual tennis shoes, grass stained blue jeans rolled up to the knees and plastic wrap covering his lower back. New tattoo? Who knows. But he lapped me. No worries though, I had a good giggle about it.

[Wahine]

I just got back from 45 min in the dreadmill. My legs are pretty tired still from the weekend, hill work on Tues and hills on the bike today. Treadmill seemed like a good option, that way if I ran 10 min and still felt like cr@p, I could bail and go home. Not to mention it was dark outside by the time I was able to get to my run. Safer indoors. I managed to squeeze out 4.78 mi with some steady zone 2 work,maybe a little higher, I didn't have the HRM on.

I came home to a lovely dinner and clean kitchen. My support crew took his job very seriously tonight. I'm soooooo lucky.

Time for bed. I M BEAT!

[kelownagirl]

I went for a run yesterday. (Run number 4.) 2 km without stopping. Listening to you ladies, I realize my speed is abysmal but I am working on running without stopping so I guess that's ok.

2 km in 13 minutes. That's about 10 min/ mile....

[rocknrollgirl]

Well Yoda,
I would not wish heavy legs on anyone, HOWEVER, it does give me some degree of comfort to know that your legs still hurt from last weekend too.

I did a big day on Saturday( well big for me), rested my legs Sunday and Monday, swam and lifted Tuesday and Wed they were still tired!

I got on my mt bike on Wed and started to pedal and was like oh crap.....

I should know by now that if I am here, up to my armpits in lactic acid, that you guys are out there feeling the same thing!

Comfort in shared pain....

[tattiefritter]

I'm knackered this week as well so glad its not just me. I wussed out of commuting today as I just felt really tired when I woke up (I had a feeling when I was getting my kit ready the night before I wouldn't ride). I think my holiday is catching up with me as I did quite a bit of riding (and beer drinking which always messes me about) when I was off. Had a big day yesterday in that I had a lunchtime run, a chiro adjustment and a yoga class also had a sports massage on Wednesday so my poor body has been bashed, prodded and stretched a bit.

Anyone else feel tired after chiro adjustments? I went for a ride in the evening after the sports massage as well but I'm not sure if I should have done?

I'm having an easy weekend - no long MTB ride with the boys just a short pootle with a girlfriend of mine to catch up on things followed by a beer at the pub

[Bluetree]

I ran tonight at the track for 3 miles... in 27 minutes (9 minute miles).

I started out slow and did a few sprints. I made sure to do deep belly breathing and whenever my breathing got too fast or labored... I would slow down and get my breathing under control.

No side cramps!

WTG, K. Looks like your speeed is really starting to pick up.

I planned to do a 1 mile easy recovery run (did a 3hr. hard ride on Wednesday and a 20mi/3mi brick yesterday) but felt pretty good so I stretched it to 2 miles... then 3 miles... then 6 miles. The new cushy running path at the park is wonderful. I'm still very slow but my legs felt pretty good, considering.

Question for anybody... my coach is gone for the weekend on some Ultraman thang, but he left me instructions for my race on the 25th. He pencilled in a "race simulation" this weekend. Then he has me taper for the week, with just a few 30 min. runs/rides thrown in to stay loose.
What pace does one go for a race simulation? Is it an easy pace, where I just get the mechanics down and practice transition? Or do I actually blow out for the whole distance at race pace? (BTW, my first race of the season is a 3mi/12mi/3mi duathlon.)