Running week 5/11 - 5/17

[Susan Otcenas]

Happy Monday!

Yesterday was a total rest day after Saturday's triathlon. But this morning, I was back on program. May is "8 mile month" for me in my preparation for October's half marathon. I mapped out an 8.35 mile run course, which I did this morning in 1:28. I walked for 1.5 minutes at the 55 minute mark to drink some water and eat a Gu. Other than that, I ran the entire time. Now that my runs are getting longer, I think I'm going to need that short walk break to make sure I can take in some calories. I have a Gu immediately before starting, but otherwise, its 8-10 hours after any other calories. Anyone know how much of your liver glycogen gets used up while you sleep? I'll need to go look that up...

Susan

[Crankin]

I went on a 4 mile trail run today, my first time running in the woods. I loved it, but I was very cautious about where I was planting my feet, so my time was much slower than my usual slow! I went to Estabrook Woods, which is a privately owned set of trails, about 3 miles from my house. Much of it is owned by Harvard and there's all kinds of ecological zones in there, birds, and just plain beautiful scenery. The main trail is the only trail I really feel comfortable mountain biking on, so that's where I ran. It's an out and back trail, with trail heads at both ends.
The way out is a minimal 1-2% grade most of the way. Mostly it's flat, but there are rock gardens and a stream crossing. And there is a new log down across the first mile of the trail. I did walk in a few spots where I thought I might lose my footing, but next time I will be able to pick up the pace. I did stop and rest for a minute at the turn around point.
As I got back, I was at 3.8 miles, so I decided to run past my car, along the grassy edge of the street. There was an older couple (70s-80s?) coming up a little hill on their bikes. They were riding old Raleighs and he was wearing a button down shirt and Dockers! He had to get off and walk. When I turned around, they were near my car and they asked me if I was going to run to Boston, since I was running faster than they were riding . I laughed my head off, since these are probably the only people who would say this to me.
I will definitely be doing this again. No blisters in my trail runners, which I have had for many years, but usually use them for local hiking.

[Veronica]

That sounds like a lovely place to run. I think I'd like trail running, but everywhere nearby has serious hills - it's where we mountain bike and no shade.

Veronica

[yellow]

Way to go Susan and Urlea and Indigoiis in last week's races! Who is racing this week??? SJCzar and anyone else?

Last week was one of those "wow" weeks for me. It was the biggest mileage I've completed in quite a while (59.5 miles) and at the end of the week I felt absolutely fabulous. It's spooky. I went for quality, not quantity, but the quantity was still above my target. Today is a rest day and then...the 2-week taper begins.

Crankin, one of the wonderful things about the trail running community (well, most of it) is that there isn't much discussion about pace. Also, walking (with purpose) is acceptable, as is stopping to rest/fuel/whatever. Your pace varies so much with terrain that keeping track of an average and comparing that to others' is kind of a moot point. I occasionally note my average pace as a gauge, but that's about it. I know there are lots of folks out there who love to run for speed, and there are some of them in the trail running world, but for the most part, it just doesn't matter.

[Jolt]

Crankin, congrats on the trail run! Beats the heck out of running on the roads, doesn't it? I did a trail run (well, run/walk, since I am pretty much starting from square one) today myself. It was definitely better than the last one. I am experimenting with running to music that is 180 bpm (or 90) to help me keep the proper stride rate. It does seem to help, although I may need to tinker a bit with my playlist and take out a couple of songs that seem to encourage stomping! I still need to concentrate on touching down lightly (and wearing the VFFs definitely helps in terms of feeling the difference!) though--the quick turnover helps but doesn't totally fix that issue. The good news is, no ITB pain--hopefully I'll be able to keep it that way!

[jesvetmed]

I got in 8.25 miles on Sunday evening! It was actually a really nice run -- not too much pain, and a decent time (for me ). Probably my best feeling run in a long time. And got it in just as a storm was rolling in , which was actually pretty cool as the winds picked up and the air changed.

[Crankin]

Thanks for the good words on the trail run. I plan to go again on Thursday, before I go on a ride with a friend who is a new and slower rider. I'll probably go back to the same place and add another little loop, which might get me to five miles. I am trying to think about other trails to run on, that won't be too rooty, etc.
And Veronica, yes, I have lots of great places to run or ride that are pretty much in walking distance from my house. That's why I love living here.