Running out of February week of 2-23 to 3-1

[Jolt]

You know what's wrong with all those foam roller instructional videos?

They are completely devoid of grimaces, sharp intakes of breath and outright shrieks of pain.

I had the same thought when I saw the picture on the wrapper of my foam roller. It's a woman rolling out her IT band, and she has this big smile. Believe me, rolling that out is not always the most comfortable thing...I will say that now it doesn't really hurt for me, but it sure did when I first started!!

[Aggie_Ama]

Did my 30 minute run but extended it to 40 minutes because I didn't want to walk from the back of the trail. Tomorrow is a much appreciated rest day!

I can't fathom those of you running in the cold, it was 89 today. And it was awful, felt like running in a furnace!

Thanks for the tips on the Garmins, I might check some of those out but probably won't get one anytime soon. Maybe the 105 but I spent more than I ever have on a workout watch on my Polar so I can't imagine replacing it so soon.

[Crankin]

I am not really up on all of the technical stuff on the Garmin 405, as you know, I am a techno-dunce. The screen is small, for sure. I know he uploads the profile to the PC sometimes and it does work; but all of that stuff is mysterious to me. I haven't heard any loud swearing when he is using it. We mostly use it for the "bread crumb" feature, because even though I claim to have a good sense of direction, when I get in the woods, I am totally lost. So, it gets used for hiking and mountain biking mostly, or long bike rides where we want to know the elevation. Our friend who we ride with has the same model and he uses it on every ride, hike, x country ski. We depend on him for full profiles of all of our escapades.

[eclectic]

Just read everything quickly

Urlea love the new avatar! You ARE amazing! I can't even fathom getting up at that time and running in the dark on icy horrible roads, w/ wind and snow. I KNOW what your weather is like because we are having it too.

Syndirelah lucky you being able to run on a nice surface

Aggie_ama I live in it but I don't run in it! Urlea is way tougher than I will ever be. hmmmm I have skied when it was -15 F w/ a wind ( I never checked the wind chill - I didn't want to know

However, I don't know how all of you do it running in the heat and humidity. In the summer if we run or bike in the early AM it is still very cool (mid to upper 60's) it doesn't usually heat up until about noon.

Yesterday I did my recovery run ON THE TREADMILL thank you very much!
my calves are still very sore - I think I have to go visit my friend the massage therapist and have her work on them.
Once I am stretched and loosened up they are fine so I am sure it isn't any type of injury. I iced them after and that helped a lot.
so now it is stretch, ice and roll.

The run was 2 miles that I took at an easy pace 12:15 - 11:30.
I walked a mile after that started as a cool down but ended up being a "just for fun" walk. I started at a 15 min mile (4.0) then kept bumping the TM up 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 just to see how fast I could maintain the pace just walking. I quit at 4.3 (about a 13:30 min mile) but it will be fun to see if I can bump it up next time.

My dear DBF could WALK a 12 minute mile - I was always running to keep up (and muttering at him how rude he was and to slow down) but you would think I would be in way better running shape!

Tomorrow I am scheduled for 1 mi wu, 3 mi intervals 1 mi cool down

BUT I have a big 40th B'day bash to go to tonight - so far I have every intention of being home early and in good shape!

[Jolt]

Today was really nice here--mid 50s and sunny. I did a 25-minute run in the neighborhood; most of it consisted of doing laps around a park a little over a quarter mile up the road (because the grass/dirt is a nice surface to run on). It felt great! A little muddy, but that's OK. Now if we could just get rid of the ice on the trails...

Eclectic, for the sore calves, do you have the Stick? That is what I have found works the best on mine if they get knots in them. Hurts, but definitely helps work out the kinks. As for your comments about not knowing how people do it, I don't know how you do your runs on the treadmill!! I would much rather deal with some cold weather, rain etc. than do that.

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan
Is this your first one?

YES! So, I'll be leaning on all of you for emotional support along the way.

Today was my first run with another person. I always run alone. I start at 5:30am and I don't know very many people up for getting out that early in the dark and the cold (29 degrees this morning). Can't imagine why.... But this morning a girlfriend met me at my house and we went out for an hour. I definitely ran faster with her, even though I didn't intend to - in fact I told her up front I needed to be sure not to let her pace burn me out, but as it turned out it didn't feel too hard. Maybe I'm not pushing myself hard enough on my own?

[emily_in_nc]

3.25 miles running (5.2 to 6 mph pace, mostly 5.7) on the treadmill, + .5 mi. walking. Knee felt great.

Happy weekend all!

[Crankin]

Ran outside today. It's really gorgeous out, clear, sunny, and was 32 when I started and 36 when I got back. I warmed up for about a third of a mile and then ran 3 miles, with one little stop for about a minute. I am learning how to use the lap feature on my Garmin, which is no easy feat for me, but I don't want to count the part where I walked and I want to be able to find my av pace for each part of my run. Anyway, with a little help, I figured out my pace was about 9:50. I was struggling for the last half mile. But, on my new route, it's mostly flat with 2 small climbs... really small. So when I was done with the 3 miles, I was able to walk one more mile up the hill, to get home, which was a perfect cool down.
Still learning how to dress so I don't sweat to death. I profusely applied Body Glide to my rough spot, near my bunion, which really bothers me when I wear certain socks, then put a band aid over it. That was good. Off to the running store to look for thin, wool running socks.
Snow coming, so will be back to x country skiing and snow shoeing? I'm going up to Stowe on Friday, so I may not be running more than twice in the next week to ten days.

[solobiker]

I got in a nice 4 mile run outside today. It was alittle cool, had to wear tights and a long sleave shirt. Plenty of sun and I had a nice view of the mountains. So pretty. I could have run longer but I don't want to get injured by ramping up to quickly. The only thing is....and it always happens when I run in cool/cold weather is that my Knees really hurt about 30 minutes after my run. I don't know how to fix this problem. Have a great weekend!!

[Aggie_Ama]

I think I did my 10 mile run per the schedule. The trail is oddly marked so I decided 2 hours would be 10+/- miles. Close enough it was crazy windy, I have the wind burn and sore knees to prove I plugged along for 2 hours! Then I went on a very leisurely greenbelt hike with my friend. I am pooped.

On a side note, I saw some Biofreeze type drug store product. I think it was called Freeze It or something like that. Anyone tried it? I am biofreeze fan but not enough to order online or find a chiro selling it.

[eclectic]

I did it! I got my interval run done! I did the one I should have done and couldn't get through 2 weeks ago.

I am still on the TM, it was -10F here this morning (w/o the the windchill) and there is no sign of the streets and sidewalks thawing anytime soon. I am scheduled to do an 8 mi run in 2.5 weeks- I will still do that on the TM but would like to get some of the shorter ones outside so I can start getting used to the harder surface.

I am swimmng a biathlon relay tomorrow- they had to change the route for the run to an out and back because it was the only clear area they could find.

I wore my new shoes, I didn't think my others had that many miles on them but perhaps they do. I took some aleve and stretched really well after and so far the calves are no worse for wear

I warmed up 1.5 miles by starting to walk at 4.0 then kept bumping it up .1

At .5mi I went to 4.8 for a mile

I started the intervals at 5.4 (11:03) and held them for .5 miles,

Dropped to 4.8 for .25 then back up

did 3 sets.

I then did CD at 4.8. It said to do them at a slow jog.

total 5 miles w/ 2 miles of intervals

I felt good when I was done and my HR didn't go through the ceiling. I can definately tell I am improving - 5 miles didn't seem that bad - it just takes me awhile. W/ the warm up and cool down walking I averaged about a 12.5 min mile - so definately getting better. Maybe someday I will make it to a 10 min mile - there is now hope!

[kelownagirl]

I bought new shoes today and got a half size larger. Wow, what a difference! I always automatically go in an ask for size 8 because that's what I've always worn but I started thinking that maybe they are getting too small, especially with my orthotics in there. Sure enough, my feet have 'grown". So I now have a pair of New Balance 1063's. I am REALLY hoping that will make the difference with my shins.

My PSA - next time you buy shoes, check your size. Your feet do DO get bigger with age!

[Urlea]

Got out for an 8.5 miler in the late morning today. I was unsure about doing the run at all because my lungs were feeling a little funny last night. Don't think I have caught my hubby's pneumonia yet. The weird chest feeling is something I've experienced before and it was nothing then.

My breathing was a bit tight to begin with on my run, but by mile 3 I felt completely normal and really strong. The temps were good, my layering was perfect & doing my route in reverse was refreshing.

I have made sure to get plenty of sleep lately and drink a lot of fluids so hopefully no pneumonia. I'll keep you posted on that.

Gotta admit it feels good to look at my training log this month. Lots of training checked off!

Crankin Try Teko brand wool socks, they are fantastic. It's all I've worn this winter and they have yet to fail me. They are as thin as their summer socks (which I also use).

Kelownagirl I think our feet get bigger the more we run! I used to be a 8.5 in every type of shoe and since I've been running not only have my trainers gotten to be a 9 but every other shoe as well.

I hope the larger size helps you with those shin splints. Ouchie!

Aggie Have I asked what distance race you are training for?

Good job getting your training runs in this week ladies, lets keep that going for next!

[eclectic]

I bought new shoes today and got a half size larger. Wow, what a difference! I always automatically go in an ask for size 8 because that's what I've always worn but I started thinking that maybe they are getting too small, especially with my orthotics in there. Sure enough, my feet have 'grown". So I now have a pair of New Balance 1063's. I am REALLY hoping that will make the difference with my shins.

My PSA - next time you buy shoes, check your size. Your feet do DO get bigger with age!

Smart girl!
- my feet changed when I got pregnant but now they have held steady for 20 years - so don't fear you won't be wearing size 13 by the time you are 50
Since 7th grade I have only increased 1 full shoe size but I suppose i will go up another .5 when I am old and my feet flatten more and get wider

good luck w/ them helping out your shins - I switched shoes today to a new pair too and my calves feel better, I didn't think my old ones were that worn because I have never worn them outside and haven't done a lot of running in them.

I have a website (can't think of it now) where not only do you record you miles but which shoes you were wearing when you ran them so you can keep track of the miles on your shoes!

[OakLeaf]

I have fit issues anyway - among other things, long toes, so that a shoe that fits my actual foot is much too small for the length of my toes. For years I'd worn shoes that fit my feet and put the arch in the right place. I've had custom orthotics for maybe 4 years now, but never quite put it together that I could maybe go to a larger shoe, until this past fall. Now, every pair of shoes I get is bigger than the last pair. I'm not convinced my feet are actually getting bigger though, it's more that I've always had to compromise on fit, and I've just completely revised the compromises I'm making. I wore an 8-1/2 for years - my current running shoes are 10 Wide and I may yet go to a 10-1/2 Wide for my next pair - the hiking boots I bought this winter are a size 9 men's. Elephant feet!

Anyway I woke up this morning sore all over and it didn't improve after Pilates and Yoga classes. So I just wound up doing a very relaxed 4 mile recovery run. It seemed like a good opportunity to test oat milk in my hydration bottle. I'm not sure... it seemed to sit in my stomach like food, not like a beverage. The jury's still out.

Hope you feel better Urlea, be careful! Pneumonia is nothing to mess with. Great job you all!