Long and Less Long Runs: 3-12 to 3-18

[emily_in_nc]

Poor KSH...I have gotten side cramps on the treadmill if I run after eating. Other than that, no.

Did another three-mile trail run tonight. It is hard for me but a lot more fun than the treadmill. The uphills are killer, since they go on and on.... I can feel it in every muscle in my legs, and my HR eventually goes high enough that I have to walk for 15-20 seconds just to feel like a human being, but if I then start running again, I'm okay.

Like someone else posted, though, it never seems to get *easier*. But being outside again is great - as is the extra light after work, courtesy of daylight savings time!

Emily

[rocknrollgirl]

Emily, keep at it. the hills used to do that to me at first. They will get easier, I promise.

Ruth

[Kimmyt]

So yesterday I had a brainstorm.

I was planning out my weekly training and so I lifted yesterday. As I was lifting I was thinking how I would fit some runs in. I figured I'd run today after work and before the rock gym. Then I got really excited because OH MY GOD YAY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME I DON'T HAVE TO RUN ON THE DREADMILL TOMORROW AFTER WORK!!!

So today after work I headed to the rock gym and ran on the trail next door. I wanted to go easy, because my thighs were screaming like they always are the day after squats and lunges. I hadn't run in awhile (almost a week and a half... but I was skiing the entire time so it's not like I didn't do anything!) so I was worried it would go rough. The first 1/2ish mile were hard. My legs and lungs were screaming. After a while I got into a bit of a rhythm though, and I really felt good around mile 2 (this is a trend for me, i've noticed at around 2 miles I always peak, then I bottom out around 3 or more again).

Ran an estimated 3ish miles, and judging by the time between when I changed at the rock gym and when I got back, I made pretty good time, about a half hour, probably less. It's funny though because I felt SO SLOW but later I passed a guy running (who admittedly wasn't doing too well) so I guess I wasn't as slow as I felt. I noticed though that I was taking smaller steps and while I didn't feel it was super efficient, i didn't get as tired as when I try to lengthen my stride.

All in all pretty good for my first run in awhile!

AND OUTSIDE YAY!

K.

[emily_in_nc]

The first 1/2ish mile were hard. My legs and lungs were screaming. After a while I got into a bit of a rhythm though, and I really felt good around mile 2 (this is a trend for me, i've noticed at around 2 miles I always peak, then I bottom out around 3 or more again).

Me too...exactly! How long have you been running? I just started this winter, but mostly on the treadmill, with an occasional trail run, weather permitting. My longest run is 3.25 miles so far. Nothing like what most of these ladies do, but for me, I'm happy.

Emily

[Grog]

Running seems a little hard for many this week. It's sort of comforting to me.

This morning's run was a little painful, in part due to being stiff from the triathlon - I just felt I couldn't move my legs normally - and also, I believe, because I took my birth control pill BEFORE my run. I'm always careful to take it after, and for some reason this morning I just reached out for it and it was in my mouth by the time I remembered I was getting ready to run. On an empty stomach, it seems to make me feel a little weird.

I'm sorry about the side stitches KSH, they come and go for me and I don't quite know why. I seem to have them about 2-3 times a month, usually in a row. What a pain!!!!!

[Kimmyt]

Me too...exactly! How long have you been running? I just started this winter, but mostly on the treadmill, with an occasional trail run, weather permitting. My longest run is 3.25 miles so far. Nothing like what most of these ladies do, but for me, I'm happy.

Emily

Same here.

I just started this winter, and I've done a few 4-miles, but usually broken by about 5 minutes of walking in between each 2-mile leg. I'm still trying to figure out my stride and comfort level, and I don't want to hurt myself so i am just going as fast and as long as I feel okay with! Like you said, it may not be much compared to some, but compared to what I used to be able to run (aka NONE) it is a vast improvement!

[Wahine]

KSH - I'm sorry you're getting such bad side cramps. They suck. I used to get them all the time and then they just kinda went away. I have no idea why. Now I almost never get them. As I type this, I've had a bit of an idea. Apart from the water thing that others already mentioned, maybe it has to do with pelvic stability while you run. If your hips are rocking up and down from side to side as you weight bear, your obliques would get over worked and maybe that's why they cramp. The answer, more core work. I especially like side plank and practicing hopping on one foot in front of a mirror. I'll give you more info if you like. PM me. Or.... I could be completely wrong.

I ran about 7.5 miles today with 4 x 1/2 mile hill repeats thrown in. The first one was hell. My legs felt awfully tired from my race this weekend. So I made some rules, if my form started to falter or I couldn't maintain a certain minimum pace, I would stop and just go for a light run, flattish. I made it through 3 really good reps. I wanted to do 4 to 5. At the end of 3 I felt pretty good and I thought that I would make it to 5 for sure. Then the wheels fell off the train on hill 4. It was hilarious. All of a sudden I went from invincible to shuffling. So I finished that hill and did the rest of the run on the flatter area at the top. I'm pretty happy with the day given the effort I put out this weekend.

[yellow]

My big news...three days of running IN SHORTS!! And yesterday I wore a TANK TOP!

I love winter, but I do have to say that this mid-60s weather is pretty darn nice. Though I did get quite overheated day before yesterday when it got up to about 66 degrees (maybe even warmer).

I think spring has come to Salt Lake.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, keep at it. the hills used to do that to me at first. They will get easier, I promise.

Ruth

Thank you, Ruth -- that gives me hope! Though once it gets super hot/humid here in the summer I probably won't be able to tolerate running any more except on the treadmill in the air-conditioned gym. And riding outside, of course. Running has proven to be a fun cross-training activity for the winter for me, though! And something I never thought I could do...

Emily