Last week of March runs

[Jolt]

45-minute trail run today since it was a nice day. Working on getting myself back into proper shape for hiking since the season is coming up; I definitely have the itch to get out there!

[yellow]

Sending more of my good running energy out to those who need it! And healing energy, too.

I did my final run for this week today (before the 25k on Saturday). I almost didn't go out as it's doing that rain/snow thing. But I did, and the trail wasn't even that muddy and as I got higher up the canyon the rain/snow turned into big, lovely snowflakes. It was so peaceful. Once again I heard myself say, out loud, that I am so lucky to have these wonderful trails right in my 'hood. Also amazing is that I usually have them to myself...just a little above a valley that is home to about a million people.

I know I stand with a small group when I say this, but I will really, really miss winter running. I'm not looking forward to 100F. At all.

[eclectic]

Sending (((((healing energy)))))) also out to all w/ aches, pains and injuries. Hang in there Kelowna girl and take it easy coming back - Patience my dear, Patience

Yellow - I do envy you your wonderful place to run

Susan- that is AWESOME on the tempo run!

Jolt - I wanna go hiking too!

Oak - good job on getting out and trying the speedwork

Well today it was 8 miles on the track (64 laps to be exact ) I decided to stick w/ the Gallaway run/walk to see if it will help my calves. I did a 2:30run to 1:00 walk ratio. I guess it works! I did my last 8 miles at a 12 min mile pace and I did the run/walk at a 12 min pace. The difference was I could walk down the stairs w/o difficulty when I was done and {keeping fingers crossed} my calves don't hurt at all. AND I did it all sans drugs (aleve) this time too as I forgot to take it last night and today.

doing the walk/run helps alleviate boredom too. . . . well somewhat anyway. Good thing there were a lot of people there to watch. AND I could watch it snow outside

We are dry here - I think one of the few areas of the state who still are. We have dams in Canada and lots of dikes to protect us so as long as there isn't an ice jam . . . .

Thinking of you Urlea - Prayers were said in church tonight and there already has been a call out to the churches to organize teams to go out around the state to help w/ the flood cleanup.

[kacie tri-ing]

UH Piriformus! I was happier when I never even knew it existed I am sorry you are hurt!

I got in a tough 10 miles of trails on sunday and 8 miles on trails yesterday. I saw a turkey yesterday I could not help it, and I yelled, "Hey Turkey!" hehehehe fortunately, it was raining, so no one was around when I greeted the turkey!

I am pretty tired still from the emotional exhaustion of the surgury and such :-(

I am trying to really focus on my HIM next weekend, but my focus seems to be wandering some! I am just trying so hard to get through work and taking care of DH...BUT I also know I have to focus some on the race if I am going to be successful!

One more run this week on sunday! Then I am totally tapered next week!

[Urlea]

Thanks for thinking of us/praying for us ladies!! Much appreciated.

I spent roughly 5hrs. sandbagging after I biked 20mi. on the trainer & swam .5 yesterday. It took me 20 minutes to realize where the bus had dropped me off to help sandbag. I was shocked and humbled when I finally recognized that it was the route I run every weekend, the path is now under at least 8ft of water.

Got home from that to see a semi w/ loaded sandbags and volunteers lining up a little over a block away. We live on a drainage ditch that is getting very close to housing. They have started digging earthen levees along the ditch by our apt. Looks like I will be bringing the bicycles upstairs tonight.

Didn't make my Thursday morning group run today. I'm not sure it was happening anyway. With so many roads closed it's hard to find places to run, not to mention how sore everyone is from bagging.

I'm tired, my muscles are really worn out, but DH & I are going to volunteer again today. With the fresh snow (Yes, eclectic that storm did hit us and drop 5in) it's making things harder on everyone. The cold takes it out of you. We only have until Saturday to get this done so we just have to keep going.

Hopefully that wasn't to much of a downer. We aren't depressed or even so much stressed in this part of the country. I think the main feeling is rallying as a community to stay afloat even though we are tired and sore.

Run for me as I can't ladies!!

[kacie tri-ing]

5 hours of sandbagging That sounds exhausting!

[Crankin]

I ran 3.1 miles outside today; I tried to stay in a comfortable, but not too easy zone, which appears for me, at least, to be a 10:45 pace. I did stop after 2 miles, to take my jacket off, because even though it was 46 when I left, and I was wearing a lighter weight Nike jacket, I was sweating. The first 1.5 miles felt hard, dead legs, but then I was OK. I ran far enough, so I could get a good mile cool down, walking up the big hill, although I ran part of it. Overall, even with my warm up and cool down, my overall pace for the 4.9 miles (including the warm up and cool down) was 11:30.
I am getting bored with my 2-3 variations of routes from my house. As soon as the mud disappears, I am going to try trail running. I have a fairly flat trail that is 4.2 miles out and back that will be perfect. I also have to decide what I am going to try and go for next; increase distance, but keep the speed the same,or increase speed to a 10 minute mile on a more consistent basis.
I left later than intended and only had an hour to eat lunch and get shower, get ready for my husband to drive me to the train for class. I didn't stretch at all, except in the shower, where I was able to to do some hamstring and quad stretches and back stretches. After class we went out to dinner and after 2.5 glasses of sangria and Argentinian food, I feel like a whale.
Tomorrow I am going to ride and do yoga. I think I will probably get a run in Saturday, before my class from 9-6 .

[kelownagirl]

Sandbagging sounds like s good workout Urlea! Hope the water recedes quickly...

Had a massage and I think I'm fixed! REALLY hoping that I can run on Monday or Tuesday. (please).

[salsabike]

Thanks for thinking of us/praying for us ladies!! Much appreciated.

I spent roughly 5hrs. sandbagging after I biked 20mi. on the trainer & swam .5 yesterday. It took me 20 minutes to realize where the bus had dropped me off to help sandbag. I was shocked and humbled when I finally recognized that it was the route I run every weekend, the path is now under at least 8ft of water.

Got home from that to see a semi w/ loaded sandbags and volunteers lining up a little over a block away. We live on a drainage ditch that is getting very close to housing. They have started digging earthen levees along the ditch by our apt. Looks like I will be bringing the bicycles upstairs tonight.

Didn't make my Thursday morning group run today. I'm not sure it was happening anyway. With so many roads closed it's hard to find places to run, not to mention how sore everyone is from bagging.

I'm tired, my muscles are really worn out, but DH & I are going to volunteer again today. With the fresh snow (Yes, eclectic that storm did hit us and drop 5in) it's making things harder on everyone. The cold takes it out of you. We only have until Saturday to get this done so we just have to keep going.

Hopefully that wasn't to much of a downer. We aren't depressed or even so much stressed in this part of the country. I think the main feeling is rallying as a community to stay afloat even though we are tired and sore.

Run for me as I can't ladies!!

Urlea, want you to know you guys are on my mind. Wish we could help somehow.

[kelownagirl]

Just heard more areas being evacuated - hope you are safe Urlea!

[Jolt]

Another trail run today, to get it in before the rain started and turned the trails to mud. Now I have a sore foot. A couple weeks ago I bruised something on the ball of my right foot when I stumbled and ended up stepping pretty hard on a rock in the process of trying to stay upright (I did succeed in doing so); it was improving and I was continuing to run on it without much of a problem but I think I aggravated it today stepping on stuff. Probably a good idea to take a few days off and let that heal rather than risk making things worse--how annoying! I need to stop being such a klutz...

Crankin, I highly recommend trail running! Roads get so boring. Plus, on the trails you don't get honked at (a pet peeve of mine). Just remember to watch your step, and try not to stomp on rocks while wearing shoes with no padding!

[Crankin]

No honking here in Concord... part of my run is on a sidewalk, but there are so many runners and cyclists here, we are just part of the scenery!
Yesterday, as I was at the intersection of Strawberry Hill Rd. and Barrett's Mill, waiting to cross the street and get on the sidewalk, a cyclist almost ran me over! I saw him, but now I will be extra careful on my bike at this spot.
Yes, I am a little nervous about my klutzyness and tripping on rocks on the trail, but the thought of softer stuff beneath my feet and nice scenery outweighs it. I guess it will have to wait until next week, though, after the rain moves through.
Hope everyone in ND is well..

[Urlea]

So far DH & I have not been evacuated. We have moved out of our apt. and up to his parent's place which is in more need of being monitored. They raised the crest prediction for the river another 1-2ft which means the 6hrs. of sandbagging we did yesterday to raise it a foot will need to be done again today to raise it another. I'm exhausted. But so is everyone else.

Obviously I'm missing all of my training the later half of this week which really messes with my routine, but my gym is in a bad spot for the flood. I'm just hoping I will have a pool to swim at next week. We'll see what happens.

On a positive note, I took my L/S shirt off yesterday to realize that my biceps look ripped. They may feel like noodles right now, but they look badass.

Anyway, thanks for the prayers & thoughts ladies, we need them!

Have a good Friday!

[Susan Otcenas]

Urlea - We're all thinking about you and hoping for the best. Take good care of yourself. (BTW, I love your "bright side" attitude when mentioning your badass biceps! Sure is a tough way to get 'em, though. )

My program called for an easy 2 miles this morning, but I went out and ran a relaxed 30 minutes instead. Hauling myself out of bed in the a.m. is so difficult, I needed a bigger payback than 2 miles!

I've signed up for the "1st annual" Fort Vancouver 10K this Sunday. When my 13 week program ended, I was supposed to run a 10K, but that weekend coincided with the Shamrock 5K run. So this weekend's 10K race will give me some "closure" on that program. My half-marathon program calls for 6 miles this Sunday anyway; I'll just be doing it at a faster pace than prescribed (I hope.)

Hope everyone has great runs this weekend!

Susan

[eclectic]

Urlea - I am very glad you came on and checked in - things aren't looking too good in your neck of the woods - I wish we were closer so we could be of more help - The Twin Cities are closer than we are

They are starting to talk about possible flooding here now too. The temps are low right now so no thawing is going on (it was almost -10F at my house this morning and every day of this makes it more likely the temps could shoot into the 60's or 70's, that is where we will run into problems. If it stays in the 40's we should be fine.

Jolt - I hope your foot heals quickly

Crankin' you sound like you are doing well in the running department. Have fun running on the trails - I need to check out the dikes here, (if the snow melts before next winter) that is the best place we can trail run, we have quite a few miles of them winding throughout the city

Susan - Good luck w/ your 10k! will be watching for your race report

I didn't get my recovery run in yesterday, my schedule is off because of the storm. Intervals are scheduled for tomorrow and I should be able to get those in (on the TM of course