Run away! BOO! Halloween week runs, 10/25/09-10/31/09

[Jolt]

Icky run in the neighborhood today, not even half an hour. I just wasn't feeling motivated--maybe it was the weather! I'm starting to think it was a mistake to sign up for a race this weekend--can I even do three miles right now without stopping to walk?

[katluvr]

Jolt, you should do fine in your race. The "race adrenaline" will kick and and help get your through. And SO WHAT if you walk, lots of folks do. Just take it easy and have fun. But I know what you were feeling last night...so hard to run when the body, mind and spirit are not willing!

Crankin, I ordered my head lamp...should be here next Weds. Then I can be the brightess running nerd in my neighborhood.

Run report later...scheduled to run 5 miles this evening after work. BTW we are stille experiencing records highs..upper 80's today AND humid as can be. I suspect it will be a very slow and sticky-icky run.

K

[indigoiis]

I didn't run today because I feel a little tiny cold or something edging its way in to my system. But I walked 3 miles. Yesterday I rode 18. Tomorrow if I feel better I will run 4 or 5.

[Deborajen]

Thanks to those of you who recommended that I check out ChiRunning. I was able to find a cheap copy of the book locally, and I've been trying to implement these techniques as part of my re-introduction to running.

I did 2.5 miles on the treadmill today, and 0.25 miles of that was barefoot! I can really feel the difference in technique when I'm barefoot, and I can feel how weak the muscles in my feet are. I'm still not certain that I'm rotating my pelvis correctly, but I think I'm getting the hang of leaning and midfoot striking.

I try to look at my shadow, my reflection on the sides of parked vans - whatever I can get - to check my Chi running form when I'm running by myself. Getting the right form on a treadmill is hard for me - I'm too worried about tripping on the moving surface.-- I've been trying to focus on the belly breathing - never felt like I've had the lungs to be a good runner. It feels backwards (pulling the tummy in when exhaling, out when inhaling) but it makes sense so maybe once I get the hang of it I'll see some results.

Keep at it!

[ASammy1]

I've been trying to focus on the belly breathing - never felt like I've had the lungs to be a good runner. It feels backwards (pulling the tummy in when exhaling, out when inhaling) but it makes sense so maybe once I get the hang of it I'll see some results.

Pilates really focuses on this type of breathing so maybe a class or two would help?

[Becky]

I try to look at my shadow, my reflection on the sides of parked vans - whatever I can get - to check my Chi running form when I'm running by myself. Getting the right form on a treadmill is hard for me - I'm too worried about tripping on the moving surface.

That's a really good idea! I'll give that a try next time I run outside. I've also thought about setting up DH's video camera...if I can figure out how to use it!

[indigoiis]

For the treadmill, put it on a bit of an incline, which will make you lean a little forward. Just remember your c shape and keep the back nice and straight, shoulders dropped, needle in cotton.

It works!

[OakLeaf]

Pilates really focuses on this type of breathing so maybe a class or two would help?

Actually Chi Running breathing is more like yoga breathing, which for most styles of yoga is the opposite of Pilates. Breathing is what I find hardest about going from Pilates to yoga and back again!

The best-laid plans of woman were foiled by mice today. I was getting ready to go for a hilly 8-miler from home at a very easy pace, went downstairs to get my running togs and found a mouse in the trap. Since I had to drive at least a mile and a half to let it go (research says it has to be that far or it'll come back), I might as well drive somewhere to run - there wasn't anything else I wanted to do in the car. Too wet for a trail run, so I drove into town and did an out-and-back 5 miles on the MUP at a slightly more spirited pace. My legs are coming back.

[indigoiis]

Oak, you bleeding heart. Where I live, the cats dispatch the mice and I get to run! LOL.

I did 6.2 this morning, dark the whole way, with my headlamp. It ended up being part trail run as I had to divert my course around a flooded road. That was interesting.

Anyhow, I'm pleased with the distance I can do without blinking - when only last Spring it killed me to run three. Yay!!

[katluvr]

So yesterday my last meeting of the day ended surprisingly early. So I left work early. Knowing I had a run to do. However it is in the upper 80's, humid and sunny with NO real breeze. So I get home, put on running clothes and sat there wondering what to do. I worried if I waited til "dusk" for cooler I would not run. Kept thinking where I should run, where might a breeze or shade be. I just got in a funk.

Ending up my partner came home, we loaded her bike and off we went to the road with a bridge (that is the Florida equivelent of a "hill). We know of some runners to hill repeats out here on this bridge. (My marathon TP calls for a "hilly course" run on Weds.). So it was still HOT and HUMID, but I did it. I ran back and forth so that I went UP 4 times for almost 5 miles. Man it was tough. I as soaked. I was slow (duh!)--and did walk on teh 3rd time up. But I felt "tough" and I DID IT.

So it is a date--every Weds I am off to the "hill".

K

[SJCzar]

5 mile tempo run last night on the multi-use trail.

I brought out my new headlamp and then went and forgot it on the kitchen table. I could have really used it because it got quite dark out there. I also wanted to get to try it out before Sunday's marathon. We'll be running twice through a 3/4 mile non-lighted railroad tunnel.

[indigoiis]

That's awesome and kind of scary! There's a tunnel on the Cliff Walk in Newport that you cannot see the end of because there is a turn. Anyhow it always freaked me out as a kid - I can't imagine running through one!

Good luck on your marathon and don't forget to post a race report! Yay!

[skhill]

What a perfect fall morning for a run... It was 50 F when I headed out this morning, with the stars shining. The sun rose while I was out on the road, and it was beautiful; wild birds were chirping and the chickens were waking up and the smell of fall leaves was in the air. I run through some really truly poor areas, and that neighborhood was gloriously beautiful in the early dawn light; the old black cemetary from the segregated days was just glowing from the dew on the grass....

Anyway, I did about 6.25 miles and felt great. And then I walked into my house to find my dog and 3 cats all curled up together on the couch...

[katluvr]

skhill,
That sounds wonderful! Glad you had such a great run!
(I admit I am jealous!)

[Urlea]

The car has been in the shop all week, we are a one car household in the winter. One car + motorcycle in the summer. So instead of catching a ride to the repair shop to pick up the car today, I ran the 2.5 there!

Yesterday after brazilian jiu-jitsu, we finished by doing tabattas for crossfit class. Let me just say that body rows, sit ups, push ups, wall ball & squats had my body less than enthusiastic about running today. It wasn't a bad run, but my upper body was fatigued and I had a slight case of lead-legs.

Jolt- what you said about the toes/mittens makes sense. I was curious about that. I still want to try the flows, but I'm guessing I will be stuck in Mizunos for most of the winter.