Running is Fun - Week of July 7

[colby]

I only ran once last week, a brutal 4 miles... I never thought I'd say 4 miles was brutal, but after about 3 miles, I literally wanted to curl up on the side of the road and sleep in the grass for a while. It was an interesting feeling... muscles good, energy good, relative exertion good, then like a wind up toy that lost its wind, I was done. I walked the rest of the way. I didn't really have the mental fortitude to push myself, and it wasn't a good idea anyway. I probably would have broken down and taken the nap after crying myself to sleep. We went kayaking for a few days so I didn't get to run again last week (just a lot of paddling and some hiking/walking).

Today, the same 4 miles felt much better, I felt smoother, faster, and like I could actually make it without the nap in the middle. I need to do something cooling for my doggie friend to hang out with me on runs in the summer, so I'm researching doggie cooling vests. There's a couple different styles out there to choose from, amazingly enough (those military dogs in Iraq need something to beat the heat!). I think she would be much more comfortable if she could stay cool without forcing her to adapt. I'm a little burnt on stopping so she can hang out in the shade for every 1/4 mile after 2 miles.

Hoping to run at least once or twice more this week... anything, really, to get back on the wagon. This week is my last week of exercising "on feel" without my HRM, next week I'll probably go back.

[Wahine]

Colby - you have a right to 2 months at least of exercising on feel. In fact, it's recommended not to run more than once per week for 2 to 3 months after a huge effort like Ironman. Be nice to yourself.

[colby]

Colby - you have a right to 2 months at least of exercising on feel. In fact, it's recommended not to run more than once per week for 2 to 3 months after a huge effort like Ironman. Be nice to yourself.

Thanks for that, Wahine-Yoda. It's hard to be so focused for so long and have to revert to the total opposite for a while. I don't want to lose the fitness I've gained, but I have to remember that 2 weeks or even 2 months will not undo the system I took 6 months to build.

I definitely don't see myself running more than 4-5 miles for a while, I just don't have the desire in me. It'll come back. For now, I'll enjoy more cycling and swimming, and cross-training fun things like hiking and kayaking. The dog will enjoy walking instead of running anyway.

[yellow]

Running is so much fun that I shared mine with a skunk this morning. Thankfully it was not a direct hit!

[Jolt]

Running is not so much fun when it's in the 80's and very humid!! I went out this morning a little after 9 and it was already awful out. I did a half hour and felt like total crud the whole time--yuck.

[Fujichants]

I had a fun 5 mile run this morning along the beach...well fun...the first 3 miles were easy. The remaining 2 miles sucked but I just pushed myself. I feel good now!

Going for a 4 mile run tomorrow morning.

[kelownagirl]

I haven't run since my race on Sunday and my shins are still tender. I'm supposed to do a hard brick tomorrow. Hmmmm...

[colby]

Well, I'll definitely be holding off on the running the rest of the week... my chiropractor adjusted my hip and poked at things and decided I need x-rays and to see an orthopedist about possibly needing a contrast MRI, bone scan, or something. It's possible I have a stress fracture (less likely) or a capsular tear (more likely) or something else going on (also likely).

My husband also banned me from my bike until I can talk to the orthopedist about what level of activity is safe. He better give me something! Otherwise I'm off to the pool and the lake for some swimming and kayaking, and walking the dog (I can't do nothing, I'll go nuts).

Someone better run (or ride) a couple extra miles on my behalf this week

[OakLeaf]

ow Colby, thinking good thoughts that whatever it is resolves quickly - and that there's some kind of cardio you can do while you heal.

[jesvetmed]

Colby.... take care of yourself and lay off a bit! Let us know what they find. Hopefully it is NOTHING that rest won't fix!

I had my FUN yesterday - intervals for me too.
Trail run, so some shade here and there, but it was HOT. I got up late and did not beat the heat and had to go to work in the afternoon, so it was "now or never". HEaded out at 1pm. Ugh. Took a second trail along the creek, which made the dog VERY happy!

All in all, 3.5 miles, 40 min: WU: 15 min jog. Sprint 45 sec, walk fast 45 sec, jog 30 sec, then repeat. Repeat again. 10 in all! THen jogged 5 min cool down and walked 10 minutes.

My obliques are always sore after sprint intervals!

Stay cool out there all! Including the dog runners!

[jesvetmed]

Kelownagirl: Did I miss your race report? What was it, and how did it go!?

[Kimmyt]

I am supposed to do my long run tonight after I get home from work. Usually I save them for the weekends but I have other plans and have to get one in this week. So, despite the fact that I just feel like laying on the couch right now, I'll be doing 7 miles at around 6pm tonight.

Between now and then I just hope I start to feel more like 'running is fun' than I do right now!

[oneskineejosie]

Today was my long-ish less challenging pace run. It is a beautiful 84 degrees with no humidity today, and I ran on nicely shaded multi-use trail. The best part - it's almost completely flat!!! I actually felt good and got into my comfort zone pace-wise, didn't push hard. Total: 7 miles in 1:08:00

My obliques are always sore after sprint intervals!

Ugh, that happens to me too! I just tell myself that the core work is good for me

[kelownagirl]

Kelownagirl: Did I miss your race report? What was it, and how did it go!?

Hmm, I posted it somewhere, probably on last week's thread. Anyway, it went well. I felt good, my legs didn't hurt (amazingly enough) and I managed to beat my goal (48:00). I did the 8k in 46:17. Not fast by the group's standard - I only came in 13/21 in my AG and 190/265 overall, but much better than I expected since I hadn't run that far before. I'm happy. I love races - now I wanna do more!

Today I did a brick - biked hard about 13km on a hilly route around home, followed by 3.3 km running. My lower legs were sore when I got up this morning but they didn't hurt when I was running, other than a few short twinges. But I didn't run too hard because they were still tender - avg was 6:20 min/km I think. I'd like to get under 6 min after biking if I can. (<10 min mile).

[teigyr]

I think if you tell yourself it's fun, it is? Something like that.

I did a 9 mile run and like a dork, did it at 1pm. It was hot It was a nice and relaxing run and the times I had breeze, it felt good.

The high point was a group of cyclists I saw. There was a mother and two young children. My route goes from a bike trail to the street to the bike trail continuation and the street bit is a bit nasty. Many people, especially with kids, tend to ride on the sidewalk. This group was on the street! The kids were in reflective vests and were wearing helmets (as was mom). Mom was behind them fairly close. When I got up to where the bike trail picked back up, the group was in the shade (bikes out of the way) stretching. Further up the trail, they started passing me. Each kid said "on your left" as they passed. Mom was a bit back, I think she was letting them ride on their own while she supervised from afar. The kids rode on the right side, they handled their bikes well, and behaved better than most adults I see though they were very young.

So, yay!!! I get so disheartened sometimes and I love it when I see parents being good role models.