Running week 5/11 - 5/17

[Susan Otcenas]

Happy Monday!

Yesterday was a total rest day after Saturday's triathlon. But this morning, I was back on program. May is "8 mile month" for me in my preparation for October's half marathon. I mapped out an 8.35 mile run course, which I did this morning in 1:28. I walked for 1.5 minutes at the 55 minute mark to drink some water and eat a Gu. Other than that, I ran the entire time. Now that my runs are getting longer, I think I'm going to need that short walk break to make sure I can take in some calories. I have a Gu immediately before starting, but otherwise, its 8-10 hours after any other calories. Anyone know how much of your liver glycogen gets used up while you sleep? I'll need to go look that up...

Susan

[Crankin]

I went on a 4 mile trail run today, my first time running in the woods. I loved it, but I was very cautious about where I was planting my feet, so my time was much slower than my usual slow! I went to Estabrook Woods, which is a privately owned set of trails, about 3 miles from my house. Much of it is owned by Harvard and there's all kinds of ecological zones in there, birds, and just plain beautiful scenery. The main trail is the only trail I really feel comfortable mountain biking on, so that's where I ran. It's an out and back trail, with trail heads at both ends.
The way out is a minimal 1-2% grade most of the way. Mostly it's flat, but there are rock gardens and a stream crossing. And there is a new log down across the first mile of the trail. I did walk in a few spots where I thought I might lose my footing, but next time I will be able to pick up the pace. I did stop and rest for a minute at the turn around point.
As I got back, I was at 3.8 miles, so I decided to run past my car, along the grassy edge of the street. There was an older couple (70s-80s?) coming up a little hill on their bikes. They were riding old Raleighs and he was wearing a button down shirt and Dockers! He had to get off and walk. When I turned around, they were near my car and they asked me if I was going to run to Boston, since I was running faster than they were riding . I laughed my head off, since these are probably the only people who would say this to me.
I will definitely be doing this again. No blisters in my trail runners, which I have had for many years, but usually use them for local hiking.

[Veronica]

That sounds like a lovely place to run. I think I'd like trail running, but everywhere nearby has serious hills - it's where we mountain bike and no shade.

Veronica

[yellow]

Way to go Susan and Urlea and Indigoiis in last week's races! Who is racing this week??? SJCzar and anyone else?

Last week was one of those "wow" weeks for me. It was the biggest mileage I've completed in quite a while (59.5 miles) and at the end of the week I felt absolutely fabulous. It's spooky. I went for quality, not quantity, but the quantity was still above my target. Today is a rest day and then...the 2-week taper begins.

Crankin, one of the wonderful things about the trail running community (well, most of it) is that there isn't much discussion about pace. Also, walking (with purpose) is acceptable, as is stopping to rest/fuel/whatever. Your pace varies so much with terrain that keeping track of an average and comparing that to others' is kind of a moot point. I occasionally note my average pace as a gauge, but that's about it. I know there are lots of folks out there who love to run for speed, and there are some of them in the trail running world, but for the most part, it just doesn't matter.

[Jolt]

Crankin, congrats on the trail run! Beats the heck out of running on the roads, doesn't it? I did a trail run (well, run/walk, since I am pretty much starting from square one) today myself. It was definitely better than the last one. I am experimenting with running to music that is 180 bpm (or 90) to help me keep the proper stride rate. It does seem to help, although I may need to tinker a bit with my playlist and take out a couple of songs that seem to encourage stomping! I still need to concentrate on touching down lightly (and wearing the VFFs definitely helps in terms of feeling the difference!) though--the quick turnover helps but doesn't totally fix that issue. The good news is, no ITB pain--hopefully I'll be able to keep it that way!

[jesvetmed]

I got in 8.25 miles on Sunday evening! It was actually a really nice run -- not too much pain, and a decent time (for me ). Probably my best feeling run in a long time. And got it in just as a storm was rolling in , which was actually pretty cool as the winds picked up and the air changed.

[Crankin]

Thanks for the good words on the trail run. I plan to go again on Thursday, before I go on a ride with a friend who is a new and slower rider. I'll probably go back to the same place and add another little loop, which might get me to five miles. I am trying to think about other trails to run on, that won't be too rooty, etc.
And Veronica, yes, I have lots of great places to run or ride that are pretty much in walking distance from my house. That's why I love living here.

[kacie tri-ing]

Hello!

I got my x-ray last week, and it did not show any stress fractures in my hip

I got an mri this morning so the doctor could get more information, and I will find out this afternoon the diagnosis on my hip. I am really really really ready to be running again!!! I have kept up my training for the Kansas 70.3 in swimming and biking, but the diagnosis with decide for me what I can/will do with the running.

I saw a guy yesterday who does active release therapy, and I was amazed by how much looser my hip felt after working on areas totally different from my hip. Anyone else use that?

Cross your finger, good thought, and prayers that I don't have any beginnings of a fracture in my hip. If I don't, I can get back to my running pretty soon!!!!

Keep up the great running! I am loving reading everything still!

[Urlea]

Oh man, reading all your run reports really makes me want to get out there & run again!!!

The good news is that my legs seem to be repairing at a better rate than I expected considering how hard the marathon was on them. Thursday morning is the group run & I'm thinking I will try to run/walk 2-3miles if I can. Mostly walk. It'll be a lot of fun to exchange race experiences if nothing else!

Kacie- Glad to hear there are no stress fractures! I hope you are able to get some helpful info from the tests so that you can move forward. Will be thinking of/praying for you. I am really looking forward to hearing about your running journeys once you are able to start up again!

Yellow- What race are you tapering for? I seemed to have missed that.

[indigoiis]

I have not run at all yet this week as I am a train leader for bike to work which means I have to bike in from the halfway point each day... and sometimes back again. It's kind of cooking the legs.

Friday is Bike To Work Day where I will do the full 60 round trip... so I don't want to do too much before then (other than cycling.) So maybe this weekend...

[kacie tri-ing]

The doctor just emailed me and said that he did nto see any stress fractures or stress reactions (be beginnings of a stress fracture). Now, he is sending it to the radiologist, just to make sure there is nothing there. The doc wants me to keep biking and swimming, but not running yet For some reason, I just wanted them to call me and tell me to do whatever I want to do yeah right, I know. He also wants me to do PT. Hopefully not for too long!!! I am ready to be running again!!!!

Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers It is really good news, and I am trying to be excited, but I am not yet thrilled because I am not totally cleared yet!

[Jolt]

The doctor just emailed me and said that he did nto see any stress fractures or stress reactions (be beginnings of a stress fracture). Now, he is sending it to the radiologist, just to make sure there is nothing there. The doc wants me to keep biking and swimming, but not running yet For some reason, I just wanted them to call me and tell me to do whatever I want to do yeah right, I know. He also wants me to do PT. Hopefully not for too long!!! I am ready to be running again!!!!

Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers It is really good news, and I am trying to be excited, but I am not yet thrilled because I am not totally cleared yet!

Good news! Hopefully you'll be back to running again soon--I know how crummy it is to have to take time off!!

[spindizzy]

Yellow- nice mileage.

Kacie- fingers crossed there is nothing wrong.

Urlea- You take it easy and rest those legs. You have another big race to prepare for.

Me - I did speed work at the track. (800m, 600m, 400m, 200m, 100m) X4 at prescribed HR zones for each distance. I'll be lucky to get sleep tonight - my legs are fried!! Hot epsom salts bath with a cold shower chaser is on the agenda.

[jesvetmed]

Kacie: Sounds like great news. Heal fast!
Spindizzy: That sounds like one huge workout. Rest up after that one!

I skipped my run this morning, in lieu of cleaning up the house a little. Thought I'd get to it later -- didn't happen. I swam, but no run. Why don't I learn that I never "get to it later"?! Maybe I can squeeze it in tomorrow.

Heal up everyone!

[Susan Otcenas]

Tempo workout on the treadmill this morning.
1mi @ 5.5mph
4mi @ 5.9mph
1mi @ 5.5mph
.35mi walk to cool down
total elapsed time = 70 minutes

My legs are fried. After Saturday's triathlon, Monday's 8.35mi long run, yesterday's swim & today's tempo workout, my quads are definitely talking to me! Usually it's my calves that get tired first, but not this week.

Kacie - Maybe this is a no news is good news moment? It must be very frustrating though. Perhaps a few PT sessions will do the trick. I hope you're able to get out there soon!

jesvetmed - I have that problem with my Tuesday morning swim. I don't know why, but if there's one workout I bail on, it's the Tuesday morning swim. I always tell myself I'll do it in the evening, but truthfully, I only manage to accomplish that about 1/2 the time. Yesterday morning, sure enough, I bailed on the swim. Fortunately, I *did* manage to make it to the pool for an hour last night, so it worked out in the end.