Running August 10-16

[Jolt]

I just realized we needed a new running thread for the week! I made the mistake of going for a trail run this afternoon in high-80s humid weather. It wasn't much of a run, more "run two minutes, stop, walk a little, run another minute or two..." because it was so hard to keep going in that heat especially after having been out in it (working in the garden) for a couple of hours already. Heat and humidity are not my friends...

[OakLeaf]

Too hot for speedwork here, too. Just much hotter than it's been.

I was dripping with sweat just sitting around the house - and flirting with heat stress on my slow 4.5. I was being careful though and would've quit and walked back home if I needed to.

Oddly my HR never got very high, but yet I was just on the edge of feeling like it was time to quit - didn't quite stop sweating, didn't quite get chills, but it sure felt like it could happen any moment.

[colby]

Last night, I put my fancy new xtenex laces into my running shoes. I have wide feet - and had no knots left over on my left shoe and two on my right. They feel a little tight on the left side, I think I need to move a knot from the upper to the mid-foot. They go on SUPER easy! Like slipping on shoes, except you don't have loose laces, everything fits like a glove. I also bought a pair of yankz laces, but they required instructions to assemble, and the xtenex were self-explanatory and looked nice and simple.

So, I ran 4 miles in them today. It was probably 70-75 by the time I got outside this morning and my legs are still a little stiff from the HILLS this weekend (and we went to a theme park afterward so I stood on my feet all day after racing). It felt good to get outside and run, though. I have just mostly been doing maintenance running the last month as I've been racing sprint distance (up until last week's olympic distance) triathlons pretty much every weekend. 3-5 miles every couple of days.

The car accident I had last month actually affected my running more than swimming or riding the longest. I still get stiff shoulders and neck muscles after running, while riding and swimming I just feel tired, not in pain. It's frustrating. If it's not one thing... I swear!!!

[kacie tri-ing]

Four miles on a soft and big track. I am slowly inching up in the milage! (but very carefully!)

[indigoiis]

Ran 3.2 miles yesterday and will run 2 miles at lunch today.

[roadie gal]

35 minutes recovery trail run yesterday afternoon. I wore my Camelbak fanny pack, which I thought might be overkill for the short run. But I'm glad I did. I ended up drinking most of it because of the heat.

[Urlea]

Help! Okay, this isn't about my day's run because I am obeying the taper (long run tomorrow though!). I was eyeing over the entrants list with the bib#s for my ultra next weekend and noticed that my name was under the 100miler instead of the 50k. I mulled it over last night and this morning before contacting the race director to tell him about the error.

Logically I know it was the wise choice and my running buddy (who is doing the 50k with me) will be glad I made it, but now I'm suffering with all the adrenaline & excitement I had just contemplating trying to see how far I could go in the 100miler. It was so incredibly tempting!!!!!!!! Ugh.

Looks like I will be training for 100miler sooner than I thought, because now I really want to do one! Maybe next year since I won't be able to get into a 140.6 yet? We'll see!

Colby- Those laces look like a nice alternative to Yankz! I might have to try them.

Kacie- It's good to see you are able to continue gaining more mileage. w00t! w00t!

[Chile Pepper]

I've been off for the last few months because of health and travel issues, so I'm having to start back at zero. I've just joined a gym so I can use the treadmill and weights three days a week. I don't really have any place to run out of my house (no place I'm comfortable, anyway), so the treadmill it is. My run today felt really good. I picked up the pace and was able to run 3 k at just over 8 minutes a km. I think that's just over 13 min/mile. Slow, I know, but good for me.

[KSH]

Urela- tempting, but smart to stick with the 50K. 100 miler next time. Blow out the 50K! Leave it all on the course!

Colby, I'll look at my running store for those. I need quick laces. My transition times killed me in my last tri.

I ran 3 miles on a treadmill Monday. I can't run in heat over 93 degrees. Here in Dallas it's VERY HUMID and hot... I have my limits on what I can and can't do.

So, it was a PR for me on the treadmill for 3 miles... ran it with a 8:26 minute mile. I don't think I have EVER run that fast on a treadmill. I'm usually slower on the treadmill.

I'm really learning how to suck it up and to tolerate discomfort when I run.

[Crankin]

Yesterday I did a 3.5 mile hike/fast walk on the trail. My time was not much slower than when I ran it! It was hot and humid; not another soul there.
There was a guy sitting in his car when I got there, on the phone. I started having creepy thoughts that he was a rapist, and I think that's why I walked so fast!
However, no one came after me.

[katluvr]

I have joined 2 friends doing the couch potato to 5k the past couple of mornings. Pace --very slow, walk/jog. But it is getting me up and out. It is so very hot, I figured this is better than nothing. But last 2 mornings have had the chance to see things that ONLY getting up and out by 5:30 on a dark and humid morning will you see. (I live in an urban/residental area, by the way).
Yesterday AM: Bats, flitting around the lights. They are so CUTE when they fly!
Today: Meteor! Yep, a BIG one. Looked almost like a firework at first. It was way cool.

I must run alone, longer and faster this weekend. (maybe!)

[leathela]

I've finalllllly been able to go back to running in the past 2 weeks--I had a hamstring injury and was strongly encouraged by my sports physician to not run for several months. I'm glad I took his advice, because my leg is feeling so much better now, and I've been able to run without pain. I missed it! (I'd also forgotten what it feels like to run without the sensation of my hamstring ripping in half).

Anyway, I'm taking it slowly right now and am running at a consistent pace; no speedwork and only moderate hills. Since getting back from my hiatus, my longest run to date has been 6 miles. I'm hoping to get back up to 8-10 soon, as I have a half-marathon in September that I'd really like to run in.

So far this week, I did a 4-mile run on Tuesday at a 7:49 pace, and a 5K on Wednesday at a 7:35 pace. I plan to run again on Saturday, probably a 5 miler. It's hard for me to run just three times a week, but I'm trying to avoid reinjury!

[skhill]

I'm going to be doing my 2nd ever race this Saturday-- this time it's 5k (the first was 10k). The logistics have me a bit concerned: it's an evening race, start time is right at sunset. I've been planning on getting there on my bike, but coming home I'll need my lights, and I'm not keen on leaving even a cheap headlight on my bike parked downtown. But I'm not keen on carrying it with me on the run either. Maybe I'll just get there on foot (or ride down and walk the bike home? Hmmm....)

Anyway, today was a pleasant and easy 3.8 miles, slowed down by dodging the swarms of school buses on the roads (school started yesterday, can you believe it?)

[OakLeaf]

Maybe your race has a gear check where you could leave your headlight (and keys, seat pack, phone etc)?

Leathela, that's pretty fast, for "taking it slowly"!

[Jolt]

Just got back from a just-under-30-minute road/grass run (would have been a bit longer if it weren't for a bit of GI upset). It's not hot today (thank goodness) but it is very humid still, so endurance wasn't quite up to par--it's amazing how much the weather affects running. It was different running on the roads since I haven't done much road running lately--a little easier to concentrate on form as opposed to dodging rocks, roots, muck etc.