Running Into Fall (but, not falling!)

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, I was noticing the decline in posts... looks like half of us are racing (and doing GREAT!) and the other half maybe are in a similar rut to mine.

The solution to my rut is pretty obvious (which is why I haven't posted). Run more (especially now that the temperature and light conditions aren't so conducive to cycling), change up my workouts, drive someplace to run more often instead of running the same old out-and-back from home, sign up for a race even if it's only the same 5K at the end of January I ran last year.

I've been running only 1-2x a week, not getting any faster or stronger (no duh when it's only happening that often), running intervals only when I drive in to the trail which is only every 2-3 weeks, getting bored with my route.

I think I'm still dealing with some residual depression from this summer. Motivation has been tough. Maybe if I put my HR strap and sports bra on AWAY from the mirror so I wouldn't have to look at the hole in my breast every time I get dressed - when I'm teaching aerobics I'm kind of particular about getting my nipples to line up, which is really tough now with the scar tissue and the difference in volume, but when I'm running by myself it doesn't matter.

Anyway enough with the pity party - I'll just have to decide whether to ride my bike into town tonight to teach the beginner aerobics class, or drive and go for a run before the class.

[Kimmyt]

I've been sick, so definitely seen a decline in activity. A case of strep caught me last Friday and now that it's moved on a secondary infection (sinus thing of sorts) is wreaking havoc on my nasal passages. Nothing more fun than bloody snot!

I am running though, and still battling my weird hip thing. I'm signed up to do a 5K in costume this weekend, and very excited about a mud obstacle course 10K in early November.

On top of all that, my job is in danger, so I've been spending my days writing an application to keep my own job. Yay! Maybe the stress is why I'm sick. Either way, I've been making sure to work out, hoping to get back into a good healthy pattern.

Hoping today to run during lunchtime. It should be crisp and nice out!

[limewave]

Sounds like I'm not the only one struggling with motivation.

I've been lucky if I run 2x a week, down from 4x. DH got home really early from work yesterday. We snuck out and did a 60 minute trail run before picking DD up from daycare. It was great to have someone to go with. He runs a lot faster, but we start and end together.

I have no idea how far I went. But I felt pretty good for being pg. It was a beautiful fall day. Lots of leaves falling and changing colors.

[michelem]

Aggie_Ama,

Thanks for continuing this thread. I wanted to post, but didn't feel like starting up a new thread again. We need someone more creative to head that up so we have some nifty new titles! Any volunteers?

Anyway, did my long 18 miler last Friday morning as we left for a church retreat for the weekend later that day. It kind of sucked because I was on the pot 3x between the hours of 5am and 7:15am (wanted to be out of the house at 7am - hah!) and then another three times while out running. I don't understand as I didn't eat or drink anything before heading out. Grrrr . . . Of course, I didn't go again the rest of the weekend. Only when I'm heading out for and on a run.

Sunday evening after we got back from our trip I threw an extra 8-miler in there. I hadn't done this old favorite trail run for at least a month and I had a lot of fun doing it. I really felt how much I've improved since doing it last. Not sure if I improved on time, although I sure felt like I went faster. The "hills" hardly felt like anything anymore. Had to do one potty stop and had to wait for a 2 minute stoplight going and coming, so that's why I don't really know how fast I went. Oh well, it was fun.

Tuesday night I did speed intervals. I'm still not able to sustain at my target speed for the amount of time called for, but I am able to sustain it for longer than when I first started doing them 4 weeks ago. I'd never done speedwork before that. It's hard! Especially 'cause I pretty much loathe the treadmill.

The temp is supposed to be back up in the 80's today, so I'm not sure if I'll do my 10 mile tempo run outside or if I'll drag my butt to the gym again. I really want to do outdoors, so we'll see . . .

Four Bridges Half Marathon is this coming Sunday morning! It's still supposed to be in the 80's before dropping back down in the 70's on Monday. Let's hope the cooling trend comes a day early!


OakLeaf, Please don't be so hard on yourself. Be kind to YOU, okay?

Kimmyt, I hope you feel better soon. And good luck with the job thing. Yikes!

limewave, That is so nice that you and your hubby can run together. My hubby is allergic to running, except when playing basketball or football. He's become allergic to cycling as well (he only does it under extreme coersion, to please me). Oh well! I think I'll keep him anyway.

[michelem]

Ended up doing my 8-miler again last night instead of the 10 mile marathon pace run I was scheduled to do. With the 1/2 coming up on Sunday, I figured I should keep it shorter. I realize now that I am unable to gauge my pace when running outdoors. On the treadmill, I have no choice -- just set the pace and go. I THINK I did about a 9 min. mile rather than my target of 8:40. But, who knows? The only way I gauge how fast I go is by looking at the clock before I head out the door and looking at it again when I get back and then subtracting the amount of time I think it takes to wait at stoplights, stop for the potty, or get in and out the door. Not very accurate!

It was warm -- mid-80's -- and I didn't bring any fluids. Good thing is that I didn't have to stop for the potty this time -- YAY!

I have a lyrical dance class tonight, which is pretty low-key (not as strenuous as my ballet classes). Other than that, no exercise today or tomorrow, besides stretching.

I'm starting to eat very low-residue today and will continue 'til after the race. I REALLY REALLY hope I don't have to do any potty stops during the race!

[Aggie_Ama]

Michele- I am curious what type of area you complete your training in. I am considering training for a half marathon in the spring but I would probably do this alone which means local trails. Mine has a potty and it only .8 miles. One is 5 miles and a potty is only at either end. I have never run more than 7 miles at once so pottying hasn't become a big deal yet.

[jesvetmed]

I got another run in yesterday -- it was just so beautiful here! At one point the wind was blowing, the sun was in my face, and the leaves were falling down all around me. I felt like an idiot, but i had my arms spread and my head up to the sky! Didn't last long, as I was afraid I would fall flat on my face. You have to understand -- when it is this nice in October in the Pacific NW, we get a little giddy!

So working back up after the long layoff -- even with stops for the dog to swim in the creek out and back, and a couple walking periods, I had 4.2 miles in 42 minutes. My ipod actually said 9:59 min/mile. OK.. I'll take that for now! And today my leg only gently aches. Things are improving.

Sounds like my motivation problem is the same as everyone's. Today is gray, and I've not done anything physical. Sunshine sure does make it easier to get moving!

Oakleaf: I think I've managed to totally miss what it was you went through medically, but my gosh -- if it's as major as it sounds, you are doing amazing! Don't worry so much about physical imperfections! Others notice so little about details like that compared to what we think! And if your class is noticing your "nipple alignment", you are not working them out hard enough!

Hang tough, everyone!

[michelem]

Aggie_Ama,

I am VERY fortunate in that I live near some great trails and rural roads as well. Here are links to some of my routes:

http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=241737

http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=245643

http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=254920

It's fun to look at them with the satellite view.

My 16 mile route has a drinking fountain and one bathroom at the fire station at the halfway point. They were nice enough to let me use it last time. My 18mile route has drinking fountatins and bathrooms at around the 6 mile and 11 mile points and another bathroom (no drinking water) at around 15 miles. My 8 mile out-and-back has a port-a-potty at around the 3 mile mark and I pass it again on the way home.

You may want to use the search function at the usatf website and see if anyone has mapped some good routes in your area.

Good luck!

[yellow]

I've been fortunate enough to have several really beautiful fall runs. Lots of "adventure" runs as well. Today I tried to find some elusive travertine pools up in some canyon but wasn't successful (according to my Garmin I was very close to them but I obviously missed the trail). Tomorrow a friend and I will try to navigate from one big ridge to another, with several smaller ridges and unmarked trails in between. The beauty is that you don't know ahead of time how far you'll actually go (you have an idea, but no specifics). Today I expected about 6 and ended up with 9. It sure was purty.

Ama, if you run in the middle of nowheresville, you don't need to worry about a potty. But ALWAYS carry TP!!!!
(below...not a potty anywhere...)

[OakLeaf]

Yellow - oh how beautiful!

Michele - good luck tomorrow!

Jes - does your iPod have GPS, or is it an iPhone? What app are you using? The other thing, actually it was physically very minor, just emotional hell, and it was me, not the doctors, who decided to put a stop to it. PM sent to fill you in a bit - thanks for caring

[kacie tri-ing]

Hello!

After most of two weeks off of running dealing with hip pain, I ran a half marathon this morning! I felt great! I actually walked the first 1.5 miles just to warm up my hip....it was early and cold. Then I was planning on alternating running/walking, but I felt so good that I could not stop

Feeling great afterwards, but I am going to be cautious and take care of myself all day!

I hope you all have wonderful weekend running!


Oh! We got back to our condo and one of our neighbors said,"it is beautiful out, you should both go out on your bikes today!" I just smiled, and DH said,"well, she just finished a half marathon, so i think she's set for the day." hehehehe

Enjoy!

[emily_in_nc]

My runs are very small compared to most of you, but for me, they're excellent. This morning I did a 3-mile trail run (in 33 minutes, a great time for me) and felt great. The temp was 55 and sunny, and I found that shorts and a thin, long-sleeve base layer top were plenty to wear -- I'm having to retrain my thinking after being used to bundling up so much more for cool-weather cycling. I heat up so much when running, and of course am not creating the wind that I do when riding, so cooler temps = much better runs!