No Fools here! running week 30Mar -05Apr

[Susan Otcenas]

jesvetmed- CONGRATS on being able to get back out there again! You must feel fantastic.

I had an easy 30 minute run in my schedule this morning. After the 10K race on Sunday and the speedwork on Tuesday, it was a welcome change to have an easy-paced day built into the program. Which is precisely the point, eh?

I have a very busy weekend planned! 50 mile hilly ride with friends tomorrow, after which 2 girlfriends and I are going to quickly lace up our shoes and go do a 15 minute run. I'm sort of lax about training for the bike/run transition, so I've determined that I'm going to try to do it on a more regular basis. We've decided to reward ourselves with Mexican food when we're done.

Long run and swim lessons planned for Sunday.

Have a good weekend, all!

[Crankin]

I ran 3 miles on a new route this morning. It was spritzing and very humid, but I managed to get done before the deluge happened. My Garmin did not work well because of the clouds, etc. and kept giving me the message that the satellites were nowhere to be found, so I have no idea of my pace. But, I think I actually did it very quickly (for me), because my husband was surprised when I arrived back when I did.
I am learning about eating and running. I had a whole wheat bagel, fruit, and coffee and ran about an hour later. Not a good idea. I felt sick starting about half way through and it didn't let up until after I took some Tums and ah, visited the bathroom for awhile. I think next time I do an early morning run, I will eat a Luna Bar and go. Definitely no coffee.

[OakLeaf]

I blew off the club ride since there was a line of thunderstorms coming in. Turns out three of them went out and got a shorter ride in, but honestly I didn't miss the grit and yuk.

So I dragged my sorry *ss out for a run instead. I was just planning to dog it for a few miles, just to get my HR up, but as soon as I started warming up I couldn't justify it. Tried to knock out a 15 minute tempo run anyhow. It was so hot and humid all I could make myself do was just under a 9 minute pace.

With warmup and recovery, right at four miles.

[Urlea]

Completed my longest run EVER today. 16miles. 2miles more than my training program called for, but with all of the closed roads due to flooding & unplowed sidewalks it was the best route I could come up with.

It was tough. I needed every gel I had (btw, Cliff Shot's Apple Pie when frozen tastes horrible & doesn't go down easy.) Considering I biked 30mi. and swam 1.2 yesterday my body did very well on the run today. No complaints. I'm proud of myself for going that far.

Happy long runs for the rest of you this weekend!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, great job both of you! That kind of distance, under those conditions... just wow.

[emily_in_nc]

No running, but I did my first road ride today since Oct. '07. Have been doing mountain biking (very much a beginner, easy trails), a bit of running, and Pilates, but no road riding for so long. Riding on the road again reminded me why I used to love it so very much before a serious accident four years ago. And although I admire and envy many of you on this thread who are able to run as much and as long as you do, I must say that I much prefer riding to running. I didn't realize how much until today's ride. For me, running on anything other than a flat treadmill is a constant struggle, while riding alternates between difficult (hills, headwind) and easy, fun, exhiliarating euphoria (descents, flats with tailwinds). I get much more of a cyclist's high than I ever have experienced a runner's high. I guess I'm just a cyclist at heart....running is great for fitness, and I plan to continue when it makes sense (at the gym at work, on our home trails on a day I don't have time for a ride), but if I never do an "official" race, I won't feel that I missed out.

Kind of an interesting day with some interesting revelations.

[yellow]

Kind of an interesting day with some interesting revelations.

Emily, I am so glad to hear that you went out and rode on the road. I remember the time after your accident and your apprehension. You waited until you were ready, and the reward is huge. I think you'll have many happy miles on your road bike this year.

I am very happy for you!

[yellow]

Crankin, I can't imagine running WITHOUT having coffee. I don't typically have anything to eat before runs about 8 miles or shorter, but for anything beyond that I seem to do well with a big protein slug...usually an egg and a Morningstar Farms sausage pattie. Definitely no fruit.

Welp, I did my long run today. Woke up to rain, which was predicted to turn to snow, so I waited until it did and headed out. It's not cold, so I just wore a light water resistant jacket (in the event it turned back to rain). The temps were perfect.

The trails were...a challenge. Some mud, some slushy puddles, and a lot of snow. Several of the areas were wind loaded, so I did a lot of wading through thigh-deep drifts. There was quite a bit of walking today, which is OK since it was going to be the longest run I'd done in a quite some time. I was the first maniac to tackle the trail in many stretches, so my footprints were the only ones in the snow. It was pretty, and very peaceful. The schedule said 18, and I clocked in at 17.77. Close enough, especially with the snow handicap. My quads are quite fatigued!

Off to nap now.