Pavement Pounding - Week of August 27 to September 2

[HappyAnika]

I ran for about 28 minutes yesterday morning. Felt really good so upped the pace the last 10 minutes. It was 59 degrees to start, 60 to finish. Although it rained the night before, so it was humid as all hell, but the nice cool temp took the edge off the humidity. I find it really odd that we are now, in August, getting all the rain we should have had in April and May.

Starfish, I think you can do it. I didn't really "used to run", but I have had some serious knee problems. ACL reconstruction in '99, then another scope to remove more torn cartilage in '00. I flirted with running for several years, but could never stick to it due to my knee acting up. This time there have been a few things that have enabled me to stick with it: 1) I only run on dirt except for races, 2) I eased my way into it slowly, and 3) I'm trying to learn Chi Running, but mostly I have modified my form to avoid heel striking (Heel striking = very bad, wish someone had told me that sooner). As far as no. 2 goes, it was hard for me to limit my run time since I felt, cardio-wise, that I could do more. However I obeyed the 5% rule (increase 5% a week), and I have been running (mostly) pain free since March. Icing after running helped a lot too, I think. Good luck with it, keep us posted on your progress.

Grog, your wedding happened already!?!? Congratulations!

[michelem]

Back to the gym last night for another date with the treadmill (it topped 100 degrees here yesterday, so, for now, I need to run indoors). Didn't do too well. I had gotten a sample gel and decided to try it. Downed the gel and a few gulps of water right before taking off. Launched into a 10 min. mile pace and started feeling nauseous from the get-go. Varied my pace between 6mph and 6.6 mph and percent grade between 0 and 3 and lasted about 5.75 miles. At that point I just couldn't keep going - I had horrendous side-stitches, I started passing gas, and still felt like I was going to puke! So, I ramped down the speed and grade and walked another 1/2 mile or so and called it quits for the night. Bleh. I HAVE to up my mileage and I'm getting worried. At least now I know that gels are not going to work for me. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out anything (even plain water) that works for me while running - the only thing that works is an empty stomach, but that isn't going to cut it once I get much over an hour . . . Any suggestions?

[Jolt]

I was in NJ visiting my family for the past 3 days, and before I left today I went for a run with my younger sister on a MUP in town. I don't know what my problem was today, but that run was awful! After about a mile, I started feeling like I could toss my cookies (turns out my sister was feeling the same way, but neither of us wanted to admit it) and this continued for the rest of the almost 3 miles we did. I also had a heart rate of 200 when I checked it at one point; hers was 190. Maybe it was the heat and humidity, or maybe because I haven't run as much lately (mostly because of the aforementioned heat and humidity--can we please have fall weather soon???). The weird thing was that the path is pretty flat and my usual running routes are not. At least neither of us actually hurled!

[Starfish]

but mostly I have modified my form to avoid heel striking (Heel striking = very bad, wish someone had told me that sooner).

Hey, thanks. I have a lot to learn. Probably before I start I need to (1) lose the excess weight, (2) get some great shoes from someone who can evaluate my stride/needs, (3) have a coach teach me how to run properly, even in a one-time session to get me off, well, on the right foot.

[KSH]

I'm really starting to love 6 mile runs! I rocked another one tonight. Second one in the 6 days!

1h 12m
6.30 miles
11m 26s /mile


Speed work was scheduled for today. That meant I would have to get on a treadmill.

Well, it rained at the temperature dropped to 88 degrees and I wasn't passing that up.

Plus, I figured hill running was better for me at this point since the HIM will probably have a hilly run.

So, I went to Arbor Hills (aka: LOTS OF HILLS!) and ran. I did a good job, although my times don't reflect it so much.

1-2 miles- 23:20
2-4 miles- 24:00
4-6 miles- 25:00

I only walked a total of 2 minutes during this run. Even the big hills didn't beat me!

I took a total of 3 minutes of breaks between the 3 loops.

All and all a very good run for me!

[tattiefritter]

Did 10.5 miles on the trails on Saturday with 1300ft of climbing then a hard 24 mile MTB ride on Sunday with 3500 ft of climbing and very tired legs (was also very rocky, very technical, lots of technical climbing too - absolutely great fun ) so rested Monday but legs not surprisingly were tired still on Tuesday. I totted up my running mileage and had done 57 miles for the month which is actually my second highest mileage month running ever - normally I'd be very chuffed and trying to make it my highest mileage month ever but I reminded myself I've just come back from an injury and had been building mileage a lot this month so I called an easy week and rested!

Did a short run today to push the mileage over 60 (still second highest though) so 3.7 miles at a reasonably frisky 8.10 mm, fun but not as good as the trails!

[Starfish]

chuffed

Could you explain this word and how it is normally used? I keep seeing it on the boards!!

[tattiefritter]

Probably best alternative would be pleased Pleased is a boring word in comparison, proud could also be substituted I suppose.

Example: I am really chuffed (pleased) at hitting 60 running miles this month!

or: I'm really chuffed with myself (proud of myself).

Actually thinking about it it is a daft sounding word but one in use all the time here in the UK so I take it for granted that everyone understands me even though this forum is international!

[kelownagirl]

OK, so what's heel striking?

[Starfish]

Actually thinking about it it is a daft sounding word but one in use all the time here in the UK so I take it for granted that everyone understands me even though this forum is international!

Thank you! I think I've heard that word from some of the Australians and Kiwis, too. I enjoy the international flavor of this board. I mean, now I can go use a new word on my nieces & nephews!