April 20-26 Runs

[Susan Otcenas]

My long run was scheduled for Sunday, but after a serious climbing workout on my bike on Saturday (Delorme said 6600' over 41 miles, though I'm skeptical), I decided to push my long run until Monday. Glad I did, too! After feeling how tired my legs were during my Sunday swim class, I knew I'd made the right choice.

I ran the same 7.25 mile course for the 3rd week in a row. Averaged 10 minute miles, which I was very pleased about.

One small problem was that my Achilles tendons felt a little sore after mile 5 or so. I tend to get really sore achilles tendons on very long bike rides or after 3-4 consecutive days of riding. My bike fitter says that comes from a tendency to drop the heel when tired. So, I imagine yesterday's achilles issues were actually from Saturday's ride, not the run itself.

I'm glad I have until October to train for the 1/2 marathon. It will allow me to build my mileage very very slowly, which will hopefully keep these minor aches and pains to a minimum.

[OakLeaf]

I did a little over 10 yesterday. I was all stressed out and didn't have that great of a run, but I really tried to keep a serene outlook, focused on form, energy and gratitude.

Moving day tomorrow. I packed up my bike and took it to FedEx yesterday. I might get a little run in the morning, might not.

Weird Susan, my Achilles trouble comes from dropping my TOES when I ride, pushing off with the toes when I run (both of which I'm really really working on) and toeing off in aerobics (pretty much unavoidable, I'm not really looking forward all that much to going back to the gym). Working out the trigger points in my calves really helps (lots of them ), but not creating them to begin with is even better.

[yellow]

Susan, I'm with you. The 20-somethings at the Crossfit gym don't understand why I do the whole mileage build, rest weeks, tapering, etc. Could I make the distance? Sure. But would I want to undertrain and be totally wiped out for days afterwards or injured? No. But I also need to be careful about too much training and getting the proper amount of rest. The line between undertraining and overtraining is so very thin. I learn a lot every time I take on a new challenge.

Oak, good luck with the move. I hate moving. I'd rather have a root canal.

After my rest week last week, it's back at it this week. Lots of crosstraining...I've ended up replacing one of my running days entirely with an intense crosstrain day, which I think has ended up making my legs much happier. There is a Fat A$$ trail marathon here this weekend and I might do most (or all) of it (it's in my 'hood, so I can drop just about anywhere and walk home). I am scheduled for a 22-24 miler, so I could use it as a training run and have some company. The hardest part of the long runs for me is staying focused and motivated; much easier to accomplish with a group of people needing the same sort of company.

Happy running, everyone!

[jesvetmed]

Yellow: The company on your long run sounds like a good bet. Over 6 miles and I am BORED (although the focus on trying to breathe helps ). Good luck either way!

I only had 3.5 miles on the schedule today -- a warm up, and #16 x 30 sec sprints, followed by 30 sec "active rest". Today, I took that to mean fast walking . As I get more sprinting in I'll jog that section, but not today! It actually felt VERY good. I was surprised. 16 sprints sounded daunting going into it.

So far, so good... all injuries at bay. But, as Yellow and Oak mentioned -- smart training and taking care of problems BEFORE they occur will be the key. Otherwise, you get forced rest weeks... several in a row! I'm hoping to be done with that!

Happy Moving Day, Oak!

[Crankin]

Riding 3 days in a row last weekend wiped me out! Spring allergies are in the air and I am swamped with work for grad school.
Monday I "rested" by walking 3 miles in the Patriot's Day parade with the military family support group. Marching over the Old North Bridge with people clapping for us and saying "thank you" made up for my aching body.
Yesterday, it was raining. I went to the gym, hoping I would run, but as soon as I got on the treadmill, I knew it was a no-go. I did 15 minutes of a run-walk interval, about 1.5 miles. I did the run at 5.7 mph and I walked at 4.0 mph, at a 3% incline. Then I went and got on the elliptical for 15 minutes and did intervals in terms of both resistance and intensity. Then I lifted weights and did all of my core/stretching.
Today is beautiful out and I have to go into Cambridge to work on a group project. By the time I get back, it's probably going to be raining . I had hoped to ride, but it looks like I might be doing a short run.
I don't know what I will have time for tomorrow....

[SJCzar]

I've been reading these weekly run threads for awhile now so I guess it's time I joined in too.

I'm in week 13 of a 16 week half-marathon training program (my first). It's been going fine so far but now that the mileage has increased so much I'm finding it harder to schedule the runs around work, all the cycling I'd like to be doing, other competitive events, and family obligations. I'm sure that every other one of you experiences this same problem.

I've learned to be flexible and not be so hard on myself if I don't stick to the program exactly as it is. Moving my long run day or speed work day forward or back won't cause me to loose all the progress I made so far .... at least that's what I try to tell myself. I'm taking some vacation time tomorrow morning so I can get in my 8 mile tempo run to stay on track for this week. I have never loved running like I love cycling so using vacation time for that is definitely not something I would have thought of doing before I started all this. Oh well, I'm sure I'll think it's all worth it when I hopefully cross the finish line (with a smile on my face)