Long and Less Long Runs - 1/22/07 to 1/28/07

[tattiefritter]

Looking at my training log its actually my first long run in January everything else has been under 5 miles thanks to my cack footedness.

No wonder my poor ickle calves are complaining, more stretching and a session with "The Stick" later ready for tomorrow's MTB ride. I pretty much stuck to my gel every half hour strategy and they didn't seem to cause me problems which is good to know. I was tempted not to take them but then I remembered I've got a decent length ride to do tomorrow and need to be fuelled for that so I used them. I don't seem to have the urge to eat everything in the kitchen this afternoon which is normal for me post long run so maybe they'll work.

[KSH]

I ran 2.75 miles (+ walked .5 mi) on the treadmill yesterday. Definitely a "less long" run compared to most of you, but for a complete non-runner, asthmatic like myself, running 3 miles straight for the first time in my life (and I'm 45) a couple of months ago, courtesy of Advair (a miracle) and aerobic training on the bike, hiking, etc., felt like an INCREDIBLE victory. I used to hate running, avoid it at all costs, and now it makes me feel very powerful and free -- kinda like cycling.

Emily

P.S. I also fractured my pelvis and had to have surgery in a cycling accident in April '05. I didn't think I'd ever be able to even walk fast again...much less run. That's what makes it even sweeter.

Emily... your running in a HUGE accomplishment!

And 2.5 miles is FAR!

Great job lady!

[alpinerabbit]

45-50 or so minutes (7km?) on ICE.... it was nasty. slippery. That's strenuous. And the Thai lunch I had was firing up my stomach. Actually it was interesting, more like a menthol feeling in my esophagus. Post-shopping espresso was necessary to even get out of the house again (I am not a talented shopper). I looked at new swimsuits and promised myself one after I can swim continuous laps of freestyle.

I have found a fellow tri newbie in my swim class. He's got a marathon under his belt, so he's going for the olympic distance the day of my sprint. Maybe we can do a threesome ride or brick sometime.

PS I think with the fitness regimen I started since November I am losing weight. I dunno how it looks on the scales but fat-wise, I am losing visibly.

[btchance]

Emily - awesome job!! you're doing great. And Alpinerabbit - I don't know how you gals do it running on ice. I would fall and seriously injur myself.

Yesterday I biked up Monte Sano mountain, which is where all the MTB trails and trail running is in my area. Seeing how beautiful the area is again, and how nice our weather is, I decided to go for a trail run and MTB today. Well, I got everything loaded up in my car to go, and suddenly had the realization that today is Mountain Mist - the 50k (yes, 50k) trail run up there and that they were using all the trails for the race. So that plan is onhold until Tuesday (hopefully). Instead I did an 1:10 minute run (which includes 20min of w/u and c/d) with a lot of hills for my run. Got in 5.65mi with most of it in zone 2 HR. Good workout, pretty day, couldn't have been better (well, except if I had those trails )

That puts my weekly total at 9.25miles.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the encouragement, ladies!

~Emily

[rocknrollgirl]

Add on another 3 for me today. That brings my weekly up to 10.5.

[Running Mommy]

I love it when I see people not let sucky things like asthma get in the way! Glad advair is working for you. My little man (spencer my son) had asthma when he was a wee tike, but I think (thank god) he has grown out of it. Very scary thing to have tho!!
But YES 3 miles DO count!! Heck 1.5 or .5 counts!! It's all relative!!
When I fist started running it was on the treadmill. I would walk for a minute and then run for 30 seconds. I kept increasing my running/decreasing my walking until I could run for a few minutes straight. When I ran my first mile I burst into tears. It was HUGE for me. It then became my goal to run a 10k in honor of my dear grandma (a vip in my life) who I was losing to lung cancer.
I will never forget that race. It was in 1994 a few months after she had passed.
So you see, we all start somewhere. Never belittle your achievements!! There will always be people that can run longer, faster, etc. It's that you are pushing yourself to achieve bigger and better things that matter.
Have a great week!
Denise

[yellow]

Emily--when I was injured and trying to start running again, my mantra was "1 mile is better than zero miles". It doesn't matter how fast or far you go...what matters is that you are out there, whether it's running or swimming or riding or walking or whatever.

As for my week, I had to travel for business so I didn't get to run or ski as much as I would have liked. The air quality is veryveryvery poor in the Salt Lake valley right now, which means that running outside isn't really all that smart (though did I do it anyway this morning? ). And we haven't had fresh snow lately...and it's a lean snow year to begin with...and it's been warmer "up the hill" than in the valley due to the lovely inversion (which means expedited snow melt), so no more skiing for a while, I think. That makes me very sad.

So this week I ran a total of 14.7 miles and skate skied 11.8 miles. My longest run was this morning on the treacherous icy trail, 6.4 miles. My calves are all messed up from wearing stupid shoes all week.

[yellow]

Emily, Helen Klein didn't start running until she was in her 50s. And she was a smoker, non athlete, etc. I had the pleasure of getting my butt kicked by her at the CIM in 2002, the day my knee died (she set a world record that day for her age group). Check out her accomplishments:

http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/M...lein_Helen.asp

http://www.runnersweb.com/running/rw...Wire_RRCA.html

She is an incredible woman!

[Wahine]

Just got back from my long run for this week. 10.25 miles on the Historic Columbia River Highway between Hood River and Mosier and back again. It's a beautiful trail open to bikes and foot traffic only. The downside, hills. There's a 5% grade that climbs for almost 2 miles! My legs are trashed.

After the run DH and I went to a quaint little restaurant for lunch. A burger with bacon and brie cheese for me!! Mmmmmm, so good. I resisted having an appetizer or a beer, so that is actually cutting back, believe it or not.

So that makes 22.75 miles for me this week. Next week is a rest week. Just in time.

[Wahine]

Emily, it all starts one step at a time. We have all been there at some point. Just go out and do what you can and try not to be judgemental. I remember when running a 400 in track would nearly kill me. Now I feel like I'm not warmed up until about 2 miles in to a run. Just get out consistently and it will improve. It's awesome that you've done as much as you have already.

[kelownagirl]

Hellooo? So what's this thread all about? Are you posting your miles as a cumulative total or ? And can I join?

I went for my first run ever yesterday. I have never been able to run because I had no cardio fitness to allow me go further than a few hundred feet before I was exhausted. So.... I was thinking that since I've been riding all those miles this past year, maybe I can learn to run too? I decided I'd do a walk/run. It was cold, below freezing, dark and icey out - I like to challenge myself - so I bundled up and walked for 5 minutes to warm up, with the intention of walking briskly and running for 30-60 seconds in between 2 minutes of walking. Lo and behold, I was able to run for 2 whole minutes before I got bagged! Who knew? I walked for another minute, and then ran two more. Did that for about 20 minutes then a 5 minute cooldown walk. So, my first "run", I went for 30 minutes, and I just measured it with the car and it was 3.5 km - about 2.2 miles. My legs are complaining loudly today but it felt good. I will do it again I think.

And I learned that hills are just as big a pita when you're running, as when you're riding...

Now I just gotta learn how to swim....

[emily_in_nc]

You gals are the greatest...thanks for all the wonderful support! I am definitely only a part-time runner since I do a lot of cross-training. Today, DH and I did a 11.4 mile hike in a state park. Awesome!

My goal is just to stay fit/get fitter and enjoy being active, whether that means mountain biking, road cycling, running, hiking, or whatever. I'm definitely a jack of all trades, master of none, but so long as I'm having fun, that's what counts, right?!

Emily

[runner2]

Only 12 miles for me this week, all on the trail, you should give it a try, it's so peaceful and free.

Keep running........

[tattiefritter]

Only 12 miles for me this week, all on the trail, you should give it a try, it's so peaceful and free.

Keep running........

14 miles for me this week - mainly on road.

Once my road half marathon is over my intention is to get a lot more off road runs in, so roll on March . I'm not looking forward to the hills though (well I am, in a perverse sort of way).