Running on...Aug 13-19

[michelem]

Tonight I went out for my typical 6 mile run and for the first time in a long time it felt great! Last two times I went out I was DRAGGING and so slow. I think I just needed some rest days - Monday nothing, Tuesday and Wednesday yoga - no cycling or running. Anyway, I was able to really speed up on the hill back home and then I was feeling so good I added about another 1/2 mile before home. I was worried that I might be dehydrated, which decreases performance, because I barely drank anything today, but for whatever reason it didn't affect me. I used peppier music tonight, which I think helped (John Cougar Mellencamp). All in all, I feel much more optimistic about adding distance this coming week. As of Saturday, I'm down to 11 weeks to get myself in 1/2 Marathon shape.

[KSH]

MDHillSlug- GREAT JOB! And... GOOD LUCK on the race! You will do great!

Well, you ladies have been doing a great job this week!

As for me... eh, I needed a mental and physical break. Only got in a 3 mile run on the treadmill (too hot outside)... but it should have been 6 miles.

I also skipped my brick, so missed another run session... that should have been 3 miles.

I will be running on Sunday though... 12 miles. It's really a walk/run combo. The humidity and heat has been kicking my booty.

[roadie gal]

I went out with the grand intentions of doing a 7 mile road run. That would have been 10% more than my previous long run. About 45 minutes into it (about 4.5 miles) I got a cramp in my stomach that had me walking for 5 minutes. I was able to get started again and felt good enough to go down a street that I hadn't been down before. Of course, 15 minutes later I was walking again. feh I walked for 10 minutes and then ran the rest of the way home. Total time: 1:24. I took the car out and clocked the mileage for my run/walk... 7.9 miles! No wonder my legs and back are sore today!

[alpinerabbit]

7K hard run yesterday, at full pace with DBF.... 169 average and a whopping 187 after the little sprint to our front door

[Deborajen]

I'd been building up and running 12-15 miles per week until the middle of last week. Decided then to run on an indoor track due to the steamy heat and temps/humidity too high at times my schedule allowed running. The run felt pretty good at the time - I really liked the gentler surface. But the next day my right knee swelled up and the day after that I started getting some sharp pains in my knee. I don't think I pulled or popped anything - never heard or felt anything during the run - but the track was a counterclockwise oval so I guess all that turning must have pulled unevenly. Haven't run since - 10 days - ugh! But I want to protect my knees. The recumbent exercise bike feels good so I've done that every few days, plus a little stairstepping on a low platform.

Keep up the great running, everyone! It's good to read everyone's posts - keeps me motivated. Can't wait to get out again.

Deb

[yellow]

Deb...that's why I will choose the treadmill over the track (and sometimes even over the pavement in the winter). The slightest little directional slant, and I feel it in my knees (and my back). Hang in there with the X training...you'll be running again before you know it!

Where's KSH's report of her 12 miler??

I'm feeling pretty pathetic and particularly whiney in regard to my running this week. I've had 2 pretty easy weeks in a row and still I felt like a big blob of uuuugggghhh this morning on my (long) run. I am soooooo done with summer and these temperatures...I'm hoping that when it cools off I'll feel better on my runs again.

[HillSlugger]

Last leg of my Iron Girl Triathlon:

3.4 miles / 37:50 / 11:08 per mile.

Walked some of the worst hills and also a stretch on the final flat when my thighs cramped up. Beat my goal of 40 minutes / under 12 minutes per mile.

[KSH]

I'd been building up and running 12-15 miles per week until the middle of last week. Decided then to run on an indoor track due to the steamy heat and temps/humidity too high at times my schedule allowed running. The run felt pretty good at the time - I really liked the gentler surface. But the next day my right knee swelled up and the day after that I started getting some sharp pains in my knee. I don't think I pulled or popped anything - never heard or felt anything during the run - but the track was a counterclockwise oval so I guess all that turning must have pulled unevenly. Haven't run since - 10 days - ugh! But I want to protect my knees. The recumbent exercise bike feels good so I've done that every few days, plus a little stairstepping on a low platform.

Keep up the great running, everyone! It's good to read everyone's posts - keeps me motivated. Can't wait to get out again.

Deb

OUCH! Well, don't overlook the power of ICE!

Icing ones knees immediately after running can help prevent pain in the future. I have had some knee pain that comes and goes... and some ice seems to fix it right up.

BUT, obviously, it's not going to fix anything that is seriously wrong. Just some aches and pains. Swelling like you had, not good.

Where's KSH's report of her 12 miler??

I'm feeling pretty pathetic and particularly whiney in regard to my running this week. I've had 2 pretty easy weeks in a row and still I felt like a big blob of uuuugggghhh this morning on my (long) run. I am soooooo done with summer and these temperatures...I'm hoping that when it cools off I'll feel better on my runs again.

Yea, uuummm... I took an unscheduled recovery week. My longest run this week was 6 miles. For the week I only ran 9 miles total.

I have to agree with you... I am SICK of the heat and running in humidity. I hate being so wet with sweat that my shoes and socks are soaked after a run. I'm equally tired of running 4+ miles on a treadmill. So, running for me has been completely miserable all the way around.

And, everytime I do run... I feel horrible. I can't even run a mile without walking anymore! I too hope that once the heat lifts, I'll be running like I WAS.

[Wahine]

Yea, uuummm... I took an unscheduled recovery week. My longest run this week was 6 miles. For the week I only ran 9 miles total.

You needed it.

[tattiefritter]

Hello all, I'm really chuffed at the moment as I have just finished my third run in three days (total about 17 miles or so) and my legs are tired but not in pain - yay!

Headed out onto the trails on Sunday afternoon to see how things were, was running well and ended up doing 8.5 miles with 1200 ft of climbing/descent and all was well, I did make the tactical decision to avoid one of the steeper runnable descents and took a very steep walking descent instead but body held up well overall. Did a 4.5 miles slow recovery run yesterday (9mm average so well controlled, though being tired helps my overenthusiasm better than anything else) which helped my legs out but man did the tarmac feel harsh after the trails. Another 4 miles today at a quicker pace and again it felt good and legs coped with the tarmac better. MTBing tomorrow to give the legs a break from the impact and another short run on Thursday probably before back out on the trails on bike and foot at the weekend.