Leaping through Feb - 29 days of Running!

[katluvr]

Selkie, your husband sounds like me! I always feel like an impostor (sp?) because am am short, stout, could lose a few pounds, etc. But I enjoy (most of the time) running and love the longer distances because endurance not speed is my friend. But in my head I am and hope to be a slender, lanky runner! Ha!

K

[katluvr]

Got up at 5 to drive approx 45 to start of trail run to be there when gates opened as parking is a prime (ugh). It was worth it. Weather was overcast and VERY humid so not the best running weather. Took it nice and easy running with my SO. Nice event, good way to start the day!

So I notice when running on trails i probably hit more mid foot that heel, especially when I'm running a bit slower or thru more technical parts of the course. I am thinking of buying a minimalist trail shoe. I know I don't do trail runs much but thinking I may try to do more. So recommendations on a minimalist shoe? I most likely will stick to between 3 - 5 miles right now. And does one wear socks with these shoes? I don't want to go the 5-fingers route but just more of a minimalist shoe.

Thanks!
K

[OakLeaf]

Well, when I went to bed I was thinking about 1-minute bridge repeats with 3 minute intervals. But I woke up with a really stiff back, plus I have a full day ahead and the bridge is almost three miles away. So, back to my old 1 minute sprints x 10 with 1 minute rest. It felt decent and at least I got a little speedwork in like I promised.

[Selkie]

Kat -- I think there's an advantage to having a lower center of gravity! Endurance, not speed, has always been my friend, too (there are advantages to being stubborn---we don't give up).

Got out earlier for our sunrise Sunday run (DST starts in a couple weeks, doesn't it?). Cloudy, chilly but not uncomfortably cold. I decided to go 5.5 miles and felt pretty good. Trigger points in my right calf need attention, as I was getting a little bit tenderness in the back of my ankle. Treated them with the stick and my tp-therapy roller when I got home.

Lots of birdies singing. Spring is in the air but a wintry mix is in the forecast.

[indysteel]

Had a decent 3.5 mile run yesterday at my usual pace. Unless and until my hamstring totally stops hurting, I'm not going to increase my mileage or pace. It is hurting less and less though, so I'm encourage. Unfortunately, today I feel like poo. We've been playing around with the dosage for my anti-thyroid medicine, and while in some ways I think I'm at a good spot with it, in some other ways, I'm not sure. My heart rate seems to be spiking rather easily today with any degree of movement. Resting, it's fine (55-60 bpm), but if I move, it quickly goes over 100.

I ended up having a meltdown this morning about it. I hate, hate, hate feeling like something other than myself. I wish I could test my relevant thyroid levels like a diabetic can check for blood sugar. Instead, I sort of have to wing it until I get blood drawn again, and there's a lag when you correct your dosage. As "luck" would have it, I actually am scheduled for blood work this week, so I'll see where my levels are.

Anyway, I just wanted to vent. Thanks for reading!

[Veronica]

No running for me for awhile. I stumbled getting out of bed Tuesday, twisted my ankle and pulled a muscle, or something in my foot... rested the rest of the week and tried to go for a short run yesterday... two tenths of a mile and I had to quit, every step hurt. Now it's worse than it was on Tuesday, 'cause the bunion on that foot is acting up too. I'd like to just hack off my right leg and turn it in for a new one. Everything that goes wrong with me, happens to that leg/foot.

I've had that stupid bunion since I was twenty. Why does it have to bother me now? If it had bothered me like the left one did when I was twenty, I could have dealt with them both then. And genetics... did you really have to give me my paternal grandmother's legs and feet? You knew they were a mess. You could just as easily have given me my maternal grandmother's beautiful slender legs...

I guess I may have to use that gym membership and start swimming again.

Veronica

[indysteel]

What a bummer, V. I hope you heal soon!!!

[OakLeaf]

Aw, V and indy, hope you both feel better soon.

Boy are my obliques sore. Some of it is probably from yoga yesterday, but I've really been trying to work on my posture too. As most of you know, the ideal in Chi Running is not to use any muscles except your abs. I'd like to think last weekend's workshop is helping me get a little closer to that...

[GLC1968]

V and Indy - I hope you both are recovered soon!

I haven't been posting much because my runs have basically been only my 'long' weekend run. I've been missing my mid-week runs due to other commitments.

Yesterday I was supposed to do 6 miles but I cut it to 3.5 because I just had too many things to do. It was also getting dark and I had to get home to let the chickens back into their coop. As it was, I had to chase them out of the goat shed anyway...

I did manage 5.5 miles last weekend and it felt easy AND I was not even a little sore the next day, so I'm OK with my current condition. I need to get on the ball in terms of the shorter runs during the week before my weekend runs start to get longer!

[7rider]

I'd like to just hack off my right leg and turn it in for a new one. Everything that goes wrong with me, happens to that leg/foot.

If you make that work, let me know. I have many parts I'd like to replace!
Hope you heal up soon.
I also have most of my issues on one side. Whenever I throw out my back, I tweak the right side. My chiropractor says that's not unusual.

I planned to run 7 with a friend of mine today, but ended up doing 5.6 - well, closer to 6, if you factor in the walk back up the hill from the park to her house. It's the first time in ages we've gone running together. It was nice to have someone to run with - and who runs at my pace. But after a week of activity, I was content to suggest cutting the run shorter than planned. I was pooped. Week went like this:
Monday: Bike commute - 15 miles
Tuesday: Treadmill run - 3.75 miles
Wednesday: Donate blood. Bike commute - 15 miles
Thursday: Street run - 4.1 miles, Yoga
Friday: Downhill skiing for about 4 hours
Saturday: Street run - 6.6 miles
Sunday: Bike ride - 25.2 miles (hills! Ack. What are those?? DH and I have been diligently avoiding those for some time.)
Monday: Street run - 5.6 miles.
I think tomorrow is going to be Sit-On-my-Butt day (well, stretch, maybe).

[Selkie]

After swimming for 75 minutes, I celebrated the Holiday with a five-mile run on my favorite route. Trigger points were calm, so no problems. My legs were tired, so it was one of those mental toughness/endurance building efforts. There was a cold headwind heading out, so I was getting overheated on the way back. Came home and had a Jethro Bodine-sized bowl of cereal mixed with Greek yogurt. Then a nice nap with one of my goldens.

No running tomorrow. I'll get in two 4-to-5 milers this week at work (Wednesday and either Thursday or Friday). My goal is to run six miles on Sunday, which will be my longest run in years.

[skhill]

It's been back to the treadmill again this week-- 4 miles Monday, and 5 today. One day it's way too cold outside, the next it's warm and windy and raining... who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Today I had a bowl of grits instead of the usual oatmeal before hitting the treadmill, and my tummy did not approve. One benefit of using the treadmill is that there is always a restroom nearby...

[yellow]

Our April weather continues. We even had a 60 degree day this week. So wrong.

Anyhoo, the trails are a muddy mess due to rain about every 3rd day so I've been spending more time running on the road during the week (which I do not like). After running through parts of the neighborhood that I don't normally visit I have serious house and yard envy.

Off to Zion this weekend to do some running in the red rock country. Hubby is doing awesome with his training for his first 25k in March and is really looking forward to having his butt kicked on the run I have planned for Saturday.

[OakLeaf]

Tempo run on Thursday - wound up with just four miles at marathon pace plus warm-up and cooldown, just because it's been a really stressful week. This morning, Kacie did a great job of putting my piddly 20-miler into perspective.

[7rider]

Blowin' like mad out there.
DH was working.
I felt the unyielding pull of the couch.
Managed to get shorts and a t-shirt on and get on the treadmill.
7.2 miles (longest run EVER), 90 minutes (okay...some walking), and watched Mamma Mia! on DVD. Oy.
Whatever doesn't kill me....makes me stronger.