Long Runs -- Week of 11/6

[Bikingmomof3]

I am finding if I do not go for a run, I find myself in a funk. Is this normal? Okay, stop laughing, as normal as I get?

I absolutely love running! My only complaints are my F4 monitor, I want more info and my nose gets so dang cold. Otherwise, I love it. Even in the rain.

[tattiefritter]

I am finding if I do not go for a run, I find myself in a funk. Is this normal? Okay, stop laughing, as normal as I get?

Perfectly normal!

Have my longest run before my first 10K on the 25th - 8.5 miles. I'm not looking forward to it as it is windy as hell here and the forecast is for 25mph winds around lunchtime when I'll be running! My legs (and backside) feel wrecked after riding yesterday - I had a 5 week enforced break off biking due mainly to being ill, it was a shock to the old quads to be pedalling again. I'm hoping I survive, I will have to go near the seafront as well today which means sand in my eyes.

I'm sure I'll love it when I finish!

[kaybee]

Seychelle: Sorry about the injuries. I understand the foot problems, since I've had a few myself. Riding is a great complement to running, and if you do take the plunge you'll find that you're a much stronger runner after riding for just a little while.

Colby: I'm excited for you! You'll do great. What are you going to do during your taper?

BMo3: You are a PERFECTLY normal runner! You don't even want to be in the same room with me if I have to skip more than one run. I really pity my husband when I'm injured!

RunningMommy: Are you training alone? I would definitely go crazy!

KB

[colby]

Have my longest run before my first 10K on the 25th - 8.5 miles. I'm not looking forward to it as it is windy as hell here and the forecast is for 25mph winds around lunchtime when I'll be running! My legs (and backside) feel wrecked after riding yesterday - I had a 5 week enforced break off biking due mainly to being ill, it was a shock to the old quads to be pedalling again. I'm hoping I survive, I will have to go near the seafront as well today which means sand in my eyes.

I wish the tailwind was as good for running as it was for riding! The headwind when you run (or bike) really sucks, but at least when you ride you can count on an awesome tailwind when going the other direction. For some reason, all a tailwind while running means to me is a cold bum and my hair blown into my face

[colby]

Ah! I'm so happy I didn't have a long run this weekend. Last week's 16km nearly killed me.

I had 8km scheduled for each day. Yesterday I went for a wonderful 11km on the forest trails and had lots of fun. Today it was pouring rain, I was at my in-law's house in the suburb and didn't want to run on a combination of hard concrete and against-the-traffic-no-sidewalk paved road, in the heavy rain, so I skipped that one. I'll probably run tomorrow though, instead of taking a break. I might even run a 5k only, rare treat!!

Good job to all those who run and run and run... I still can't believe you guy run 11 miles, not km. But I'll get there soon...

It's funny how on one side of your training schedule those miles (or kms!) seem so difficult, but after you break past them and are on the "other side" of your schedule, they seem short! You'll get there

Make sure not to skip long runs and critical days like hills or speed work (if you're doing any), those are important. It's hard to pass up those 5k days, even if they are considered "easy"

[colby]

Colby: I'm excited for you! You'll do great. What are you going to do during your taper?

Probably go crazy... I'm still following a schedule, which is shorter distances during the week, and shorter long runs on the weekend. This week is 5 miles, 4 miles, 6 miles, off, 3 miles, and Sunday's 12 miles (though Runners World recommended not going over 10 miles on your last long run weekend, so I might shorten that). Compared to my normal Thursday longer runs of up to 10 miles, 6 miles is pretty short. The total for last week was 35 miles, this week 29 miles, compared to max of 42 miles just 2 weeks ago. Even my marathon week at 37 miles will be shorter than my max week.

RunningMommy: Are you training alone? I would definitely go crazy!

While I'm not RM , I trained the whole season by myself, and really wondered how I would find a running partner at the end. While I have some trepidation about running with other people (what about pacing, what if they are faster than I am, what if I improve more than they do and "outgrow" them, what if...), I think it would be nice on some days to not be alone. I wish my husband was interested in running, my dad can't because of knee problems. Even then, I don't think I could get him training for a marathon. When I train for triathlons, I can get my dad and husband to bike with me, but not at my speed/distance.

[Grog]

Oh Colby you're a 'what if' person just like my dear partner!!! Doing exercise with him sometimes is hard not because I have a hard time to follow sometimes but more because he keeps worrying that I'm thinking/feeling this or that and that makes things difficult. Just relax and let events unfold!

Make sure not to skip long runs and critical days like hills or speed work (if you're doing any), those are important. It's hard to pass up those 5k days, even if they are considered "easy"

You're right. I went out for an unscheduled 5k today to replace yesterday's short recovery-week run.

I haven't been doing any speed work in a long time, but I always run on hills (there's nothing flat around here) so it's not totally lost on me. I think I'll just focus on volume for now and re-start doing speed work in the new year. I just want to know that I can do the distance I think. The speed work really taxes me if I'm running Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday in a row!!

[kaybee]

Probably go crazy... While I'm not RM , I trained the whole season by myself, and really wondered how I would find a running partner at the end. While I have some trepidation about running with other people (what about pacing, what if they are faster than I am, what if I improve more than they do and "outgrow" them, what if...), I think it would be nice on some days to not be alone. I wish my husband was interested in running, my dad can't because of knee problems. Even then, I don't think I could get him training for a marathon. When I train for triathlons, I can get my dad and husband to bike with me, but not at my speed/distance.

I think people who train alone are mentally stronger than those of us who manage to find partners. I can't skip a run or wimp out because that would be letting my buddies down, whereas if I ran alone, it would be so easy to skip workouts or let myself walk when the going gets tough.

I know I'm extremely lucky to have someone to run with. There are three of us -- two women and one guy. The other woman is the one that's training for and running the half with me, so during the week all three of us run together and on Saturdays she and I do our long runs. I appreciate these two people more than I can say.

KB