April 13-19 Runs

[Urlea]

Well it's true, I still absolutely love running!

I may have been ridiculously tired getting going this morning (two 4:50am wake-ups in a row! ugh), there may have been 25mph gusts as we ran into the wind on the way back of the 7mi route this morning, I may have been grossly overdressed & had to ditch my jacket/hat along the way. But I still really enjoyed my run this morning.

Again I was mostly between groups of ppl at a 9:30 mile. The past few weeks though there has been a very graceful formed runner on my tail. She doesn't like to visit, nice though. I know if I keep just slightly ahead of her that I am keeping the pace I want or close to it.

Today I had the impression she thought we were racing. Not sure how to explain why I look back to see where she is & why I try so hard to catch back up when I have to stop & toss my jacket to the side of the road. She won this morning, apparently running into the wind is her strong suit.

I hope to God there isn't wind like that during the Fargo marathon which is only 22 days away! We may be running in sport-skirts and tanks by them it's starting to warm up quick. Been riding my bicycle mostly outdoors all week & I even got a sunburn yesterday! woohoo!

Eclectic- Welcome back!!

It's crazy how much sandbagging can really take it out of you. They asked for sandbaggers here again earlier this week as the river is supposed to crest again & I just couldn't bring myself to do another week of that.

Your run/walk method sounds like a wonderful way to log the miles. Two women were doing the same thing during our 18mile training run last weekend and I was so impressed by how fast they were! They finished the run with smiles & looked great.

Kacie- Glad to see you are taking care of yourself during the recovery process. It must be killing you not to run, but woohoo! for being back on the bike & in the pool again.

Crankin- Sounds like a busy season for you. Hang in there!

Now that spring is here I've got a lot of work to do. Shooting a wedding this weekend, baby photos on monday & engagements until the next wedding. I'm not sure how the schedule is all going to come together between the training & the editing, but I also know that sometimes taking a short break to go run or ride a little does my creativity wonders.

Hope it does the same for you & your paper!

[alpinerabbit]

Everyone seems to be doing well, especially Urlea - wow... a marathon...

Well I was able to run again - 5.5k, my "short round". I tried to up the tempo for about 2x300m but my form started suffering. I have to work on that.

[yellow]

Well, Susan, I am going skiing Friday. Best of both worlds, though...I scooted out of work early today and went for a really nice 10 mile run. Elk everywhere, saw the first pine grosbeaks of the year (in full breeding plumage), and a Cooper's hawk. I'm liking this easy week; I've felt really good on every run I've done. One more slow and easy on Saturday and then...24 the following weekend.

I am really looking forward to seeing Shiraz at the Salt Lake half mary this weekend. I'll try to take pictures at the finish. I have several friends running this year, including one of my Crossfit friends who will probably finish in less than 1:30 (she's incredibly strong and fast). The weather should be perfect for the race! Go Shiraz!

Safe training, everyone!

[Susan Otcenas]

yellow - Yay! That worked out perfectly, eh?

shiraz - best of luck this weekend! Let us know how it goes.

eclectic - good to have you back. Are you sore from all that sandbagging? I sure would be!

crankin' - sounds like you have alot going on! Nice work keeping up on your fitness, despite the hectic schedule.

urlea - don't ask me why, but whenever I think about you training, I think of the energizer bunny - you keep going and going and going... Very inspirational!

Today was my "easy" run day. 30 minutes at whatever pace was comfortable. I did notice that I made it to *last* week's 15 minute turn around spot in just 14:18 today, so I kept going. Slowly but surely, my "go at a comfortable rate" pace is getting a wee bit faster. Yay!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Susan

[Jolt]

20-minute trail run today after walking for about 45 minutes enjoying the beautiful day we have here. I could have gone longer (no IT band pain at all; my form is definitely getting better) but needed to wrap up to get ready to be somewhere. I did, however, trip and stub a toe on a rock--ouch! Of course, it happened right at the beginning of the run. Now it's sort of swollen; seems I bruised it pretty well. Must stop being a klutz...

[OakLeaf]

Good luck Shiraz!

[yellow]

Oh, it was a good day for Shiraz. But I'll let her tell you about it.

(no, I did not get any pictures because she did an unauthorized OUTFIT COLOR CHANGE on me and I was looking for her in a different color. She did look fabulous, though! )

I'm kind of sad it's the end of my easy week. But then I wouldn't have felt so great this week if I hadn't put the time in the previous weeks. I've done it before...I can do it again. Did an easy run today after watching the marathon finish. It was a gorgeous spring day. I love 60 F. Last ski day tomorrow. I have my 80s fashion diva outfit all ready to go (we usually dress up on the Last Day). Big tailgate party, lots of beer. Should be a blast!

[michelem]

Wind finally died down some yesterday, so headed out for a 6.5 mile run after work. Who cranked the heater on??? Earlier in the week it was barely in the 60's, last week it was in the 50's, and yesterday almost 80 degrees! It's supposed to be 90 by Monday! YIKES!!!

Needless to say, I overheated. I had the sun in my face the whole way out and didn't bring fluids. Did better on the way back with the sun to my back, but still had to walk a bit. Also, with the wildflowers in full bloom (beautiful!), I ended up with a sore throat to boot. Sigh . . .

I might try to head out again tomorrow morning when the weather is cooler, just so I can get a "good" run in.

You all continue to inspire me!

[OakLeaf]

Well, I somehow re-injured my gluteus minimus running intervals on Thursday, so I skipped my run yesterday.

I don't even know how I strained that stupid muscle but I thought it was all healed up two weeks ago.

[Jolt]

I was out for two hours today running/walking (mostly walking) on Mt. Wachusett. No IT band pain whatsoever; I think I have finally figured out what the problems were with my form so now I can really work on it. Once I get over this rotten cold I'll be better able to do that without having to intersperse it with so much walking. Several people commented on my footwear; one woman said she wanted to look into getting a pair because she can never get hiking boots to fit so they always hurt.

OakLeaf, sorry to hear about your injury! What a pain in the butt.

[kacie tri-ing]

OakLeaf, sorry to hear about your injury! What a pain in the butt.

HA!

Jolt--I was in an outdoor store with DH, and we saw your barefoot shoes! They had a great color red in the men's shoes!

Oak! I am sorry about your injury too!

Michelem! Sounds hot! I'm sure you will bring liquids next time, but it's hard to know when you need to bring them when the temperatures are in between!


I tried to run today and failed. My hip flexor is still injured from my HIM. I had an amazing ride yesterday, and I will get back into the pool tomorrow. I am just ready to run again! It has been two weeks!! I know I should be grateful that my hip feels much better than it did (which is why I tried to run even though I knew I shouldn't yet!). I stopped after about 10 feet. It doesn't hurt to walk anymore, and my limp seems to be gone

Have a great sunday afternoon!

[Urlea]

Well, I'm jazzed. My 20miler today was really hard & really rewarding.

Since I shot a wedding yesterday I was unable to join the marathon training group and run with them in the morning. So after church, which was followed by brunch (ate more than my fill) I took a nap, got up and got out there in hopes to finish the 20mi before the sun set.

Within the first mile I knew brunch was going to have it's way with me. Just wasn't digesting right. Turns out bacon, caramel rolls & cheesy hashbrowns aren't good pre-run fuel! I spent the beginning 8-10mi trying to keep it down. Never felt so green during a run, it was rough, acid burps & everything.

Mentally I was holding it together just fine & as funny as it sounds when I stopped at my gym (it was on the way) to sit down for two minutes I realized I was half thankful for the distraction because it actually made the first 10 miles go by quickly.

Anywho, about mile 12 I was feeling more normal & able to speed up again. This is my first long run with NO gels & only 10oz. of water. Yes, I know, not wise, but I couldn't stomach the idea of ingesting much at all.

The last 8 miles were great. I saw a runner approaching around mi 17 and realized it was my running buddy Maggy from the marathon group out on her recovery run. Chatted with her for a few seconds, that was encouraging!

I finished in 3:33 which averaged out to 10:40 per mile. WOOHOO!!!!

I'm so happy that I can work through feeling so crappy and covering that much distance. The marathon seems so doable to me at this moment I'm actually thinking about trying an Ultra in August. I just love running!!

I've never finished a run thinking, "I wish I hadn't done that."

Hope the rest of you had a wonderful weekend!

Healing thoughts/prayers for those of you suffering with injuries!!