Another Day... Another Week...Another Running Thread Week of 2/9-2/15...

[eclectic]

Sounds like lots happening on many levels this week. Take it easy Kacie and heal up.
Oak sounds like you are cruisin' along - Time, time time I would like to do Yoga but there is only 24 hours in a day and unfortunately I have to work, eat and sleep. How do you fit it all in?

Aggie - I agree if your body says sleep - do it - if it says slow down - do it. Sometimes we need to push through but other times that is invitation for injury.
I always use "am I hurting or just uncomfortable" normally it is just discomfort and I push through.

I made it through my VERY SLOW 6 mile run yesterday. Around and around and around on the track at the Y - It sounds like I am luckier than most, it is an 1/8th mile track so ONLY 48 times around - I broke down and bought a lap counter - VERY good investment.

this morning I did a 45 min recovery swim - Breast stroke whip kick felt VERY good on the legs

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUTSIDE! But it stormed here again so snow and drifts over ice. We may be outside by July

Urlea - Fargo's Y doesn't have a good track? ? ? ? Guess you will have to move to Minot. We don't have any time limit on our treadmills. When they built the addition they added a lot of new ellipticals and treadmills so even during busy times they open up regularly

[Urlea]

Eclectic- You are doing a wonderful job staying committed to training. Kudos to you!

Maybe the Fargo Y! has a larger track, but the one I saw is tiny tiny tiny with only walkers on it. I'd be afraid of clocking someone on accident. The treadmills themselves have an auto shut-off after 30minutes. So I'd have to switch treadmills I think in order to run longer.

[Jolt]

It was 60 degrees here today, so I went to the local wildlife sanctuary and did a walk/run on the trails there in the VFFs. There was still a lot of packed snow; I had hoped for some bare ground but not yet. I did more walking than running because some spots were slippery. However, other than the slippery snow/ice areas I was amazed at how sure-footed I felt in those "shoes"--I ended up seeking out fallen trees (and there are lots of them) and places where rocks were sticking up out of the stream, and having a good old time! I did step into the water a couple of times but surprisingly my feet didn't get that cold (must have been because I kept moving); I'm still waiting for the neoprene-bootie-style VFFs I ordered to arrive (actually, the second pair--I ordered the wrong size the first time and they were a little too small so I had to order a different size). Those will be better in the conditions around here right now. I officially have a bad case of spring fever...

[eclectic]

The treadmills themselves have an auto shut-off after 30minutes. So I'd have to switch treadmills I think in order to run longer.

WOW they are strict!

And thanks for the kudos

Jolt - you remind me so much of one of my high school best friends - free spirited, loving life and playing - I can just see you skipping and dancing around nature. Ahhhh so many lose that as they turn into old people.

[Crankin]

Well, I did what was best for me today. Didn't go on the group ride as I really didn't want to take my road bike on the very wet and sandy roads with a group of people whose group riding etiquette is less than stellar. I had a ton of work to do, so after 2 hours reading at the library, I went to a pretty hard yoga class. By the time I got home and ate lunch, it was 1:45. My husband came home around 3, so we ended up just going for a 40 minute walk. Enough to make me feel like I did something, but it didn't push me over the edge.
Spin class tomorrow, run on Friday.

[Susan Otcenas]

I did 5 miles on the treadmill this morning before work. It was warm enough
(38) to run outside, but Jeff wanted to use the weight machines, so we went to the gym instead. Fortunately I remembered my mp3 player. On Monday, it was icy so I had no choice but to run at the gym. 5.7 miles on the treadmill, without my mp3 player which I forgot, was a little bit of torture.

I've just started swimming again and seem to be breathing much better in the pool this year. I think my aerobic fitness from all the running I've been doing is benefitting my swimming as well.

I have a nutrition question - Because I run so early - usually around 5:30am - I can't really eat anything solid before I run. I've been sucking down a Gu Roctane about 15 minutes before I start, so that my blood sugar isn't too low. But I'm finding myself getting pretty hungry by the time I'm finished. Any ideas for how I can combat this? I've thought about getting up at 4am and eating a banana, then going back to sleep, but the thought of getting up so early is awful....

[emily_in_nc]

Well, I did what was best for me today. Didn't go on the group ride as I really didn't want to take my road bike on the very wet and sandy roads with a group of people whose group riding etiquette is less than stellar. I had a ton of work to do, so after 2 hours reading at the library, I went to a pretty hard yoga class. By the time I got home and ate lunch, it was 1:45. My husband came home around 3, so we ended up just going for a 40 minute walk. Enough to make me feel like I did something, but it didn't push me over the edge.
Spin class tomorrow, run on Friday.

Sounds like you did the right thing, Crankin! I haven't managed to run all week myself. Monday I didn't have a second all day at work so did nothing but some crunches when I got home from work (late)...sigh. Tuesday was yoga class. Very enjoyable and replenishing. Today was my work at home day, so DH and I managed a short (35 minute) bike ride outside at lunchtime -- only our second ride of the year, so we're keeping it short as our tushies and knees get back in shape. Tomorrow is Pilates class, and Friday, finally, I hope to run, same as you.

[emily_in_nc]

I\I have a nutrition question - Because I run so early - usually around 5:30am - I can't really eat anything solid before I run. I've been sucking down a Gu Roctane about 15 minutes before I start, so that my blood sugar isn't too low. But I'm finding myself getting pretty hungry by the time I'm finished. Any ideas for how I can combat this? I've thought about getting up at 4am and eating a banana, then going back to sleep, but the thought of getting up so early is awful....

Hi Susan -- that is rough. if you can't eat solids before you run, it sounds like you are probably doing the right thing. Could you handle another Gu during your run, maybe? I wouldn't get up at 4 to eat -- it would be too tough to get back to sleep after eating. At least for me, that sugar would start revving me up, and my brain and body would start cranking.

I am lucky -- I can (and do) eat a Clif bar or have a yogurt right before running. In fact, I have to. If I try to run more than 20 mins on an empty stomach, my stomach starts growling, and I poop out. I can't run on a full stomach, but the Clif bar or yogurt seems just right to keep me from bonking without giving me stomach cramps or side stitches.

Hopefully someone will have better ideas -- you might want to post a query on the nutrition thread as well....

[Wahine]

Susan, I used to have the same problem and I would make smoothies. That worked really well for me.

I haven't really been around much but it's good to pop in and see that all you ladies are still out running!! Some of you were just starting the last time I was here and that was about 5 months ago I think.

I haven't been running because I really got into skate skiing this winter. Cross training!!

[OakLeaf]

Good to see you back Wahine.

[Aggie_Ama]

My mom invited us for pizza so I skipped the run and ate pizza and drank beer. Tomorrow back on the wagon.

Susan- is it time or discomfort keeping you from solid foods? I can eat a Luna bar before a run but my stomach isn't hyper-sensitive to foods before a run (yet). DH cannot eat so he will do a smoothie himself or carry an additional Gu.

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan- is it time or discomfort keeping you from solid foods?

Discomfort. Solid food is guaranteed to give me stomach cramps.

I like the smoothie idea. Maybe it would last a little longer than the Gu does. Of course, then I would be operating "machinery" at 5 am which might not be such a good idea. But maybe even a yogurt would do the trick. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to give these a try.

[Susan Otcenas]

I forgot to say - the solid food thing is a problem for me for a quite a long time pre-run. Last Friday I took the day off. I ran about 90 minutes after eating breakfast (and not a large breakfast, either) and still cramped up. It kinda sucks.

[Aggie_Ama]

Do you like Carnation instant breakfast? I haven't ever looked at the nutrional value of them, I just know DH likes them. I am not a smoothie eater (drinker) but I wonder if you can make them the night before?

[Urlea]

WOOHOO!!!! I got to run outside this morning. Had an awesome and invigorating 5miler with my Thursday morning running group.

It was icy out there after three days of rain, but I managed to stay upright.

Hopefully this rain thing will be over with for a while now, I absolutely love how energized the cool air & scenery makes me feel.

Susan- There's a brand of pre-made smoothie that I'm a fan of & you can find at most grocery stores or even Wal-Mart. They are Bolthouse Farm smoothies. It costs about $3.50 for 1 liter, which isn't to bad considering it's all natural.