Running into daylight savings time - 11/01-11/7/09

[indigoiis]

I did a rinky 2.88 trail loop this morning, but I did it in the direction that made it all (excepting one big drop) uphill. So I got a workout, anyhow.

[ASammy1]

Sometimes I feel like such a poser posting on this thread. All of you are so accomplished and I'm just beginning, but I have to admit that I am inspired by all of you. You ladies keep me pushing forward.

And OMG Urlea! 100 miles ... I am not worthy! I am not worthy!

Anyway, with all that said, I finished w1d2 (week 1, day 2) on the c25k program today and it went fairly well. It seemed like it took longer for the ankle soreness to hit, so maybe I just need to strengthen them!? It was 51F, 11mph winds, and sunny-a great day to be outside!

[Becky]

Andrea, you and I can be posers together 3 miles is a long run for me right now

[Jolt]

Andrea, you and I can be posers together 3 miles is a long run for me right now

Don't feel bad--I've been running for a few years and still usually only do 3-mile runs at around 10:00/mile! My longest ever was about a 9-miler and it involved quite a few walking breaks so it was pretty slow. We don't all have to be super runners, what really matters is getting out there, moving your body the way it was meant to move, and enjoying it.

[Becky]

Oh I don't feel bad, just impatient "Impatient" should be my middle name!

[katluvr]

All of us have been there...just starting or starting over!
5 years of running before I could say I could run a 10 min mile. I used to always be a 11:30 - 12 min miler. That is still my "comfort" zone.
As for distance...I discoved if I went for SLOW and comfortable I could run longer. So before I EVERY worked on speed I just worked on building distance.
Some people never do more that a 5k. Maybe a 10k here and there. I never thought I would do a full marathon. And I may never again. I like the 1/2 marathon distance becasue I am NOT fast. But I can run 10 - 13 miles (with some training).

Setting goals, not matter how small, are what seems to work for me. If i don't have a race planned or it is not a new challenge...I dont' train. I KNOW I can go out and ride 75 miles with very little training. I am not fast, but I can do it...I have done it so many times. It is mind over body. But if it is a Hilly course, or I am riding w/ those faster than me...then I might actually train. Same w/ running. I can do a 5k any day...not fast, I will never be fast, but it is something I have done in the past and can do it. Now if I wanted to do a 5 k in under 30 min...I would have to train. Does all my rambling make sense or help.

I think with running the hardest part is getting started, getting comfortable at a short distance and then building. You can do it. You are doing it!

(some may disagree with me...there is a part of the population that just loves to run or bike or just train without races or goals. I need something that will MAKE me DO IT.)

[SJCzar]

I survived Sunday's marathon and actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

The weather was perfect - mid 40s and mostly sunny. It was an out and back route and there was some wind on the way back but nothing too bad.

I didn't make my under 5 hour goal that I had in mind but I'm ok with that. The rail to trail surface was much kinder on the body but also seemed to be harder to keep up the pace that I would have needed to maintain. I did walk through the aid stations (I'm just too uncoordinated to drink and run), and took a few 15 second walk breaks in the last 5 miles, but otherwise I kept plodding along. At about the 5 mile mark I started running with a 60 year old guy who does 6-8 marathons a year. I probably slowed my pace by at least 45 seconds to a minute per mile to run with him but it was well worth it. We talked the whole time and he shared lots of good stories with me. The 10+ miles that we spent together went by much quicker than had I been on my own and really added to the whole experience for me.

Running through the 3/4 mile long railroad tunnel (twice) was a cool added feature. There were glow sticks positioned down the center to keep runners on the correct side. They also placed lanterns about every 50 yards or so. The headlamp worked out great ... much better then the little flashlights that they had on hand for the runners who didn't bring their own lights. Water was constantly dripped down on you so the footing wasn't perfect but not dangerous either - just had to slow it down and watch out, especially on the return trip through.

Hitting the finish line was a great feeling. Surprisingly for me I didn't feel very sore. My hips felt a little tight for the 1st day but by Monday night everything was back to normal. Perhaps that is the one advantage of being a slow runner.

Now I can't stop myself from looking for the next one to do.

[OakLeaf]

Becky and Andrea, go back and read Colby's great post from a week or two ago, about not feeling like a real runner.

I'm betting most of us don't.

And I think the reality is that if we're committed enough to post about it here, gosh darn it, we're runners.


Urlea, 100... yikes. On topic - it's really important for me to hear that an ultra-runner like you still goes out for 6-mile runs. I get into a mindset that below a certain distance, it's not even worth putting my shoes on for - and the longer my long runs get, the longer that "minimum" seems, too.

[Urlea]

You ladies make me laugh & inspire me!! Some days I really need the extra push I get from reading your run reports to get me to grab my shoes & go log some miles.

I may be training to run 100miles, but I couldn't run a mile when I started. My first marathon ever was this spring & it was rough. So I decided to try a 50k this past August hoping it would go better than the 26.2, it did & I loved it!

The point I'm trying to make is that whether you run 3miles or 30 the only thing that really matters is that you enjoy what you are doing. For some that is running a 5k, others 13.1, 26.2, 50miles, 100miles, etc.

This past weekend I had the joy of cheering on my running buddy who was trying to PR a 15k. Since I usually participate in the local running events I haven't had the chance to be a spectator much. What I loved was watching each person from the lead runner to those near the end pushing the limits to see what they are capable of. Such determination, commitment. It made me wish I had a cowbell! I'm pretty sure my cheering got a little old to the other more docile spectators near me.