Running Week of September 14, 2008

[michelem]

Sorry I couldn’t think of a more creative title for this thread.

Anyway, on Sunday, September 14, I went for a 16.2 mile HILLY run. I had lots of trouble with urinary incontinence on this run, so I’m glad I was alone for the most part. Anyone else experience this, and what do you do? I’ve got a dr. appt. scheduled for next week . . .

The other eventful thing that happened on this run was that I tripped and fell in the gravel shoulder of the road and skinned my knee and arm up pretty badly. I was running along the left side of a narrow two-lane road and saw a couple up ahead. They were walking along and taking up the entire left lane of the road. When cars would come toward them, they would move to the other lane and then back again – never on the shoulder where they should have been! Anyway, as I was coming up behind them, I noticed the man started moving closer and closer to the left shoulder, so I said, “On your left!” as I approached. Wrong thing to say! He immediately took a VERY WIDE step to the left and tripped me and I went sprawling. It really didn’t hurt at the time and I just got up and kept going. Still had about 4-5 miles to go though, and toward the end I had to walk the steep inclines. Got back to the car and that’s when I noticed that my tights were ripped and there was lots of blood. Fun. I’m having to keep it bandaged so it doesn’t stick to my clothes as it is still oozing some.

Other than that, I was really impressed that I made it that far, as it is the furthest I’ve ever run (jogged? It took me 2-1/2 hrs. to complete, and I only stopped for a few minutes to fill my water bottle at about the 1/2-way point, maybe a minute or so for my fall, and then the bit of walking toward the end). I was also amazed that I wasn’t really sore afterward. Used my brand-new Nathan 4-bottle fuel belt type thing and while it was helpful to have the fluids along the way (two 10 oz. bottles of water and two 10 oz. bottles of Accelerade), I wasn’t happy that it’s a bit too big and kind of chafed my back. Yes, it’s adjustable, and I moved the velcro closure over, but then the rest of the closure sticks out and flops around. Probably not explaining this well, but suffice it to say it’s annoying.

Monday, took a rest day (but did my pushups!). Tuesday did upper body weights and core exercises and about 40 minutes on an elliptical-type machine at the gym. I think I had the setting to high because even though I kept lowering the resistance, when it would go up too high my legs still felt rather fatigued.

Wednesday evening I took two ballet classes and then attempted my tempo run on the treadmill. I say attempted, because right from the 1 mile warmup my legs were really aching. When I got into miles 2-6 I was only able to ramp up the speed for a 1/2-3/4 of a mile at a time and then walk for a 1/4 mile or so in between (supposed to stay ramped up at LT for the full 5 miles, which I did last week after 2 full rest days). Even the cool-down mile hurt. So, lesson learned is that I shouldn’t run after fatiguing my legs with ballet right beforehand!

Gonna rest and stretch tonight and tomorrow as well so that I’ll be fresh for my next long run this weekend. Aiming for 18 miles . . . wish me luck!

[limewave]

Don't you feel tough when you get done with a run and you have a new chick scar? I had a run like that: tripped on a pot hole and skinned my knee. I had some nice blood streaks going down my leg by the end.

So, no running for me yet. I think I will attempt to run next week. Ankle is feeling better, but it feels fatigued and I still have limited range of motion.

[KSH]

Michelem, great job on the run! With the fall and all! Gosh, hardcore lady!

Ballet classes? COOL! I wish I could find some for adults in Dallas, TX. Haven't been able to. I was never great, but I just enjoy doing it.

Yeah, when I have to carry water, I use a hand-held water bottle that is made to strap to your hand.


So... I started running again yesterday. I hadn't run about 2 weeks before my Ironman (on 8-31-08), didn't run at my IM thanks to my Achilles tendons (had to walk the marathon), so it's been like a month since I ran.

Went 2.5 miles. OUCH! My right hip is in extreme pain today. Really stiff. Hurt to sleep on it last night even. My quads and hamstrings are very sore. It's like I never worked out a day in my life.

[kacie tri-ing]

Hello! I am going to jump in here!

I am training for the disney marathon in january!

Three miles on tuesday, five wednesday, three today. I have a 10K planned for saturday with a friend and a 9 miler planned for sunday.

What a story for the 16 miles! I was imagining you running back bloodied and torn tights! What an image

[kelownagirl]

I had my first good run since my triathlon. If I can have another good 5k today and then a 12km on the weekend, I just MIGHT be able to get my kms up in time to do the half marathon on October 12. If not, I'll settle for the 10km.

[luvmypwds]

What a story Michelem. Congrats on the mileage though!

A couple of runs this week so far - one on Monday but easy as I had my jogging stroller and one year old. I ran an hour.

A tougher run on Wednesday as I ran with a friend who likes to push the pace. We did a 10k.

I'm planning on running one more time this week - either Saturday or Sunday, but nothing too long, perhaps 5 miles, as I have to push the stroller again. Also, I am having some knee pain so I want to nurse it a little bit before I push myself harder.

[kelownagirl]

Yay, I ran another 5k and felt great! Now for 12km on the weekend.

[tattiefritter]

Hello!!!

Not been running much, been ill then acquired a very grumpy psoas muscle. Its improving now, still feels "tight" but no sharp pain any more and the rest of my right leg doesn't cramp up in sympathy any more. I got out for a run with the club last night, only around 4.5 miles but I was pleased to see that my fitness hasn't dropped off too much (still cycling) and I had to curb my enthusiasm. My bike mojo is also back with a vengeance as well so it'll be interesting to see how I manage to combine the two.

I'm planning a 6 mile trail run (missing off road running so much) on Saturday and I've just sent off my entry form for a couple of Cross Country leagues for this winter. Now I haven't done cross country since school but one of the other ladies at the club convinced me to have a go as according to her the ladies races are no more that 5K and there is lots of mud . Even if I'm not one of the fastest there just by running I can help the club try to go for promotion. Sounds good to me, will let you all know how I get on. Also thinking of taking part in a duathlon or an adventure race over the next few months, we'll see how that pans out.

Will be building my running mileage up again as I have entered Edinburgh Marathon - a road marathon, something I swore I'd never do but I fancied the challenge. Its not until May next year so I've got plenty of time to build up to it. My goals are to get to the start line uninjured and finish!


michelem, I gave up trying to carry stuff round my waist and bought a small camelbak type rucksack instead, I find that much more comfortable.

[michelem]

Thanks for all the encouragement! Yes, I'm sure I looked quite a fright when I got back to my car. Did I neglect to mention that I wear a combo zinc oxide/titanium dioxide sunscreen as well? So, add to your mental picture a VERY pale face!

This will be my first marathon (early December). I'm encouraged to hear what all of you are doing for training as well. Last year I did a 1/2, but injured myself cycling about a month beforehand and never completed my running training plan . . . I completed the 1/2, but really HURT for days afterward. I'm hoping to avoid that this time!

Thanks for the fluid carrying ideas. I'll have to try some different ones out to see what works.

All of you with injuries -- TAKE CARE!

And keep your stories coming . . . it really is an encouragement to read what you all are doing.

P.S. KSH--I'm very lucky in that there is a local dance school that offers many adult classes (not just the basic beginner classes you're likely to find at parks & rec, but all the way from beginner to pointe for ballet and lyrical and jazz and tap and even hip-hop as well!). And, it's right around the corner from my office!

[emily_in_nc]

I've just run once on the treadmill this week -- 4.25 miles. It was pouring rain that day. I'm planning a 5 mile trail run for the weekend; it is supposed to be cool and lovely!!!

[colby]

Running, hmm... going to have to check the dictionary on that one lately. I can tell you about swimming and biking though. Oh, and New York. And Airports. And standing on my feet all day at a conference for 9 hours for 2 days straight while I didn't feel well. And walking. And sitting in planes. BOY did my hip hurt after that.

BUT... I had PT today and I'm doing well. I really like this office so far. She explains things very verbosely ("here's what I see..." with lots of movement and muscle talk) and listens to everything I explain with some appreciation for my bodily awreness. She's like a library of exercises for everything based on how I am responding or adjusting. I did walk on the treadmill, but she (or I) wasn't really ready to absorb enough information to fix that problem... yet! Doing well with my exercises, trying to train my glutes to fire before my hip flexors to keep everything more well balanced rather than compensating for whatever problem they were compensating for originally that just doesn't exist anymore. Still too much rotation and compensation on my right side, though things look great with a little forward lean.

Still crossing my fingers for HM at the end of November. 3 more weeks of PT scheduled and I am religious about my exercises. Next week I hope to schedule an appointment to look at my cycling biomechanics with them, and when we start talking about running I hope to pick her brain about proper mechanics. She's given me hints about visualizations and things to think about during my exercises that I hope we can carry over to running (and cycling, and swimming if we have to).

Sorry... not just running. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed just being able to put on a pair of shoes and run out the door. Someday..........

KSH, I had to laugh at your first run, in a very sympathetic way. Take it easy! You'll get it back. Have to listen to that body of yours.

[kelownagirl]

HI gals,

I did m longest run ever today - 12km. The first 8 km felt great . Then my knees and lower legs started to tighten and hurt quite a bit. I decided to keep on going and switched to a walk/run for the last 3km. I'm really hoping there are no lasting after-effects.

PS Can you help me out? If you read this before Sept. 25th, can you please vote for me? I'm in a silly contest, just for fun, but I really want to beat all the men. Go to the link below and vote for "Some Chick" (that's me). I'm winning right now but they could have something up their sleeve and find a way to beat me. Thank you!!!

Bad Boys of Running

(As a warning, there's a bit of off-colour language there so if you're very sensitive, you may not want to go.)

[emily_in_nc]

Voted! You're killing the competition -- too funny!

[ASammy1]

I voted too!!!

[kacie tri-ing]

I voted for you too!!

Did a 10K race by my house yesterday. I didn't even run in the front door when we passed by! I would consider that a success!

Getting myself ready to go run a ten miler right now. Just pulling myself together!

I did a yoga class on Friday, and I am far more sore from that than from any running this week