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]

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

[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!!!!!

[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....

[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!

[Wahine]

KSH - I'm sorry you're getting such bad side cramps. They suck. I used to get them all the time and then they just kinda went away. I have no idea why. Now I almost never get them. As I type this, I've had a bit of an idea. Apart from the water thing that others already mentioned, maybe it has to do with pelvic stability while you run. If your hips are rocking up and down from side to side as you weight bear, your obliques would get over worked and maybe that's why they cramp. The answer, more core work. I especially like side plank and practicing hopping on one foot in front of a mirror. I'll give you more info if you like. PM me. Or.... I could be completely wrong.

I ran about 7.5 miles today with 4 x 1/2 mile hill repeats thrown in. The first one was hell. My legs felt awfully tired from my race this weekend. So I made some rules, if my form started to falter or I couldn't maintain a certain minimum pace, I would stop and just go for a light run, flattish. I made it through 3 really good reps. I wanted to do 4 to 5. At the end of 3 I felt pretty good and I thought that I would make it to 5 for sure. Then the wheels fell off the train on hill 4. It was hilarious. All of a sudden I went from invincible to shuffling. So I finished that hill and did the rest of the run on the flatter area at the top. I'm pretty happy with the day given the effort I put out this weekend.

[yellow]

My big news...three days of running IN SHORTS!! And yesterday I wore a TANK TOP!

I love winter, but I do have to say that this mid-60s weather is pretty darn nice. Though I did get quite overheated day before yesterday when it got up to about 66 degrees (maybe even warmer).

I think spring has come to Salt Lake.

[tattiefritter]

We've had some lovely spring like weather over the last couple of days but judging by the forecast there will be a wintry backlash this weekend

First run in well over a week due to being away gallivanting in London and Bristol and had some nice strong winds and drizzle to run in. Legs felt ok, had a short sports massage yesterday, but my TFL was slightly grumpy, not surprising due to the "trigger point" work (i.e. torture) that was done on it. Was running at a nice pace with generally no calf problems but probably working a little too hard as didn't have my HRM strap on (it fell out of the tumble dryer last night when getting some kit, oops , then I forgot it so I'm not sure if it still works). Running up the hill at the very end seems to have made my right calf a little tight so will have to watch that.

So a nice 3.5 miles done. Will be drawing up a plan this weekend to build me up to an hours running again but at least one of my runs next week will be 4 rather than 3.5 miles. I can add on 0.5 miles each time right up to seven miles assuming my lack of patience doesn't take over.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Everyone,
We just got back from a 4 mile trail run. We are right on the edge of a big storm coming in, so we just made it. I felt pretty good up to the last little bit, and then my legs got tired. Most likely due to low blood sugar, which I am working on fixing RIGHT NOW!

[yellow]

Most likely due to low blood sugar, which I am working on fixing RIGHT NOW!

Oh, I hear port and dark chocolate are good for that little problem. But I don't have any experience with that.

(Clocktower and Dagoba super dark....mmmmm...)

[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.