(Long and Less Long) Runs - 12/25 to 12/31

[KSH]

One thing's for sure, running is the worst of the 3 disciplines of Tri. Not sure why we do it. I'm even masochisitic enough to sign up for a marathon this yer to get me ready for IM. What am I thinking?!

Yea, running is a thorn in my side. I REFUSE to give into the pain/injuries though. Simply refuse.

I want to do an IM in 2008, but I'm so scared of a half or full marathon.

I tried to train once (1 year ago) for a half marathon. The injuries I got from that training, put me out of running for almost a year. I missed the tri season for 2006 because of it. The crazy thing is that I was training for a half, so I could get over my fear and negative thoughts about me and running distances... and my fears were just solidified.

I'm still trying to figure out if I should try to run a marathon pre-IM. There are many people who do their first marathon at an IM. I think I might go that route, to keep injury away. Plus, if I try a marathon pre-IM and I fail, then I might get it in my head that I can't do the IM.

Not sure what I will do.

When is your marathon? Soon? What year are you doing an IM? 2007? 2008? Which one?

[alpinerabbit]

*gasp* just back from another set of intervals (8x1 minute). The people on their holiday walks musta thought I'm a complete eejit, zooming past them to break into a walk 10 seconds later.

I finished off with another pass over a killer hill on the way home, it's maybe 4-500 meters long and a (guesstimate) 8%? - this time I was able to give some more on the last 40 meters or so, so it's getting better.

Still can't live up to what I could do with my boyfriend ahead in the race. But then again I was sore for half a week.

[Tri Girl]

I want to do an IM in 2008, but I'm so scared of a half or full marathon.

I'm still trying to figure out if I should try to run a marathon pre-IM.

Don't be scared of the marathon, KSH! And if I were you, and had the running history that you do- I'd just wait to do the marathon during the IM. How cool would that be? Your first mary is after you've already gone 116.2 miles... pretty cool. I've known a few people that have done their first mary during the IM- no biggie and you don't run the risk of injury. A year before my IM I injured my knee pretty badly while training for a marathon (had to walk that marathon slooooowly b/c I refused to not go). All year training for the IM I was soooooo scared of re-injuring my knee, but it was fine. I never ran more than 13 miles at a time during the training (as per the program), and that was the best feeling marathon I've ever had (although it took me 6 hours, that was the most fun 6 hours of my IM day).
I'd just do the mararthon with your IM- you won't be risking injury as much because you're doing so much cross training. Really, the marathon was the event that I worried the least about (looking back I probably should've spent a little more time running- but oh well), because I knew that if I could make it through the swim and bike I could easily complete 26.2 miles- even if I had to walk it. Plus, it's not like I was going for first place, so there was no pressure to meet any specific time goal- just to go out and have fun.
(sorry I'm so long winded)


Guess I can't contribute to the runs for the week. Haven't ran in a week and, like you ladies, I know it'll be hell on legs when I get back out there. Why, oh why, must we lose our running legs so quickly?????

Have fun out there ladies!

[rocknrollgirl]

I had a trail run this morning. I am not sure of the exact distance, probably around 3.5. It is a really nice run, and I really enjoy it. I had my new CW-X tights on. Sounds great right?

Well we did a night mt bike last night. Nothing tough, about 2 hours moderate pace, but we drove an hour to get there to specifically ride with friends that live in that area. Normally we night ride closer to home, but we are off this week so we figured what the heck.

Well we did not get home until 11pm and the DH was up at 6 am for track practice. So I got up and went for my run.

For about the first 10 mins, I was like...hey this is great. What great cross training. My legs feel great. And then a few mins later...hmmm, maybe those legs are a little tired....a few mins later....hey, Can you run if your legs turn into tree trunks....a few mins later...

Yikes...this is like some bizzare form or delayed brick workout....

But I did it, tree trunks and all....

[Wahine]

Yea, running is a thorn in my side. I REFUSE to give into the pain/injuries though. Simply refuse.

I want to do an IM in 2008, but I'm so scared of a half or full marathon.

I tried to train once (1 year ago) for a half marathon. The injuries I got from that training, put me out of running for almost a year. I missed the tri season for 2006 because of it. The crazy thing is that I was training for a half, so I could get over my fear and negative thoughts about me and running distances... and my fears were just solidified.

I'm still trying to figure out if I should try to run a marathon pre-IM. There are many people who do their first marathon at an IM. I think I might go that route, to keep injury away. Plus, if I try a marathon pre-IM and I fail, then I might get it in my head that I can't do the IM.

Not sure what I will do.

When is your marathon? Soon? What year are you doing an IM? 2007? 2008? Which one?

Hi KSH,

To answer your questions in a slightly delayed fashion, (I don't usually get much time at the computer), I'm doing IM Can in Aug 2007 and I'm thinking of doing The Ave of the Giants Mary in May as part of my training.

My first Mary was at IM Can in 2003. During my training program I never ran for longer than 2.5 hrs, that's about 15 miles for me on a training run. My coach told me that the only reason to run longer was for confidence and that if I was confident in my ability to finish IM than there was no need to run past 2.5 hrs. Apparently, physiologically anyway, if your body learns to process energy for that long it can do it for 6 hrs, the rest is muscular strength of which we should have lots from the cross training etc. I had a 4:20 split at that IM.

The next year I coached my DH to his 2nd HIM finish. He is a much slower runner than I am. We did training runs up to 2.5 hrs at a 11 to 12 min pace most of the time, my heart rate was very low - 105 to 115. I was painfully bored during these runs but I wanted to support him fully, he was really nervous about his race. So I think that year I ran about 2 times per week, one long run and the other about 1 hour of hills usually. On race day we both competed and I had my 2nd best HIM finish ever, even with a flat tire. I'm sure that I would have PRed otherwise. Best of all, I had my best HIM run ever both in terms of time and how I felt. BTW DH had a great finish, he took a full hour off of his first HIM time.

So no, you do not need to do a mary before IM and I also recommend doing all your long runs really slowly, painfully slowly. Worry only about the time you spend and not on the miles, time is more important for training the way your body utilizes your energy systems.

Have fun training and feel free to ask more questions. I've got a few races under my belt.

Cass

[limewave]

RunningMommy--let me know how the WDW mary goes. We are thinking of running it in 2008.

I did a 9 mile run early Christmas morning. It was cold and windy but very peaceful. I left for my run about 6 AM and no one was on the roads for my entire run. This was the longest run since the Chicago Mary back in October. I felt pretty good during the run, but later I was so sore! I'm actually starting to enjoy running, its my time for me and it's great.

[Bikingmomof3]

[QUOTE=limewave;156005 I'm actually starting to enjoy running, its my time for me and it's great.[/QUOTE]

Limewave,
That is how I feel. I love running. It is me time. Wonderful, blissful peace.

[Tri Girl]

OK, OK... I did it today. I went and ran a measly 4 miles (does it matter that it felt like 10?) Weather was beautiful- low 50's with drizzle. Now that I've decided to run a mary in March (who can pass up a Shamrock Marathon with free Killians at the end?), I need to get back into running regularly. Tomorrow I'll shoot for another 4 and see what my body has to say about that...
Happy trails ladies!

[Velobambina]

Have you guys checked out Chi Running? Since I've tried to incorporate some of the Chi Running "philosophy," I've been able to get back into running and am planning to do a duathlon & a tri in 2007. Basically, you let gravity propel you by using a forward lean, keep your spine straight, relax everything - especially your legs - but your core (you power from your core), etc. You can get the book at Barnes & Noble. I used to run 1/2 marathons & did the Marine Corps Mary back in '95 until terrible piriformis syndrome turned me off running. I'm now running 9-12 miles a week, which isn't a lot, but my goal is to build a base for when I start training more seriously closer to my events next summer. NO INJURIES!!!

[KSH]

TriGirl and Wahine... THANKS SO MUCH for all the tips, advice and words of encouragement. Really good stuff!

IF I sign up for IMAZ 08, I am pretty sure I will do the mary at the IM. Keep injury at bay, right? I also like the idea of doing long, slow runs... and just doing it for time. Sounds great to me!

And, when the time gets closer... I am certain I will hit each of you and RM up for some training advice, etc. Although, that training is a year away!

Velob... Chi Running is very similar to Evolution Running. This is basically the form my running coach changed me to. Although, I rarely incorporate the forward lean, simply because I run faster, which puts too much strain on my lower leg muscles (aka: Many days of recovery and pain). But when I go into a sprint, I forward lean.