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

[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.

[katluvr]

SJCzar,
Congrats and awesome!
I have heard after the 1st marathon you either dont' ever want to do another or love it and can't wait. You sound like you will definitely do another!

[OakLeaf]

Congratulations SJC!

[ASammy1]

Thanks everyone for such encouraging words! I really appreciate hearing/reading all of it.

Congratulations SJCzar! You are awesome. I'm sure your new friend appreciated your company as well while running. I know I would have!

[Crankin]

Katluvr, you sound exactly like me. My feel good pace is around 11:30, but I got to a 10 min. mile last summer, before my hip started hurting. Now I am back where I was. I also know I can ride 60-75 miles with little training. It will be slowly, but I can do it. I can do almost any hill, too, if I don't care about time. Well, there's been 2 20% grades that got me, but, hey, most people do nothing. Riding with really fast people just depresses me, because I am so not there. I'm not "slow, slow" but not fast enough for the 16 mph average group, either. Plus, my experience with riding has lead me to believe that if I train for running in a really serious way, the fun will go out of it and I will get burned out and stop. I need a happy medium.
I don't train; knowing my compulsive exercise habit, I am pretty sure I would get injured. I spent a few years getting faster on the bike and now age and injury has slowed me down a bit. I do want to get my running speed up, and will work on that over the winter, but once spring comes, I have to train for our bike tour that is in mid May.

[Jolt]

Half-hour trail run today, nothing too out of the ordinary. The trails are pretty deep in fallen leaves so you can't always see what you're stepping on. I can't decide if that's good or bad--on the one hand it keeps me from fixating on what's just ahead (and tensing up) and makes me pick up my feet more, on the other hand it does increase the chance of kicking a rock or root if it's sticking up very far but still covered up by the leaves.

[colby]

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.

I would say you did better than survived - you pretty much ran the whole way, and aren't really sore. Congrats!! It makes a HUGE difference to find a running buddy, even if they are running slower. It really passes the time.

Today, intervals. 8 x 1 min at OMG pace with 2 min "rest" at "goal pace" (to make your goal pace feel slow, I imagine ). Tomorrow, easy run. Sunday... 20 miles. I get hungry just thinking about it. This week the HUNGER set in with a vengeance - I have been hungry all the time, it's difficult making up the deficit of the 2000 calories burned on the long run. It'll be like this for another 2 weeks, I'm sure.

[katluvr]

First things first:
Happy Birthday Oak! I know this is a BIG milestone year--and I hope it is a GREAT year for you!

So I ran 4 miles last night after work. Temps in the low 70's now. It was a very nice run. I felt good. I felt "fast". (My version of fast). So 4 miles, 45:30 min. NOt bad. Now keep in mind I had a personal trainer workout that AM. I was not feeling tight or sore yet. It is those darn lunges.

I had to run 4 again today and needed to do it in the AM. I really hate runs in less that 12 hours. I did not sleep that well. Go up and I felt the tightness setting in. I also knew I was tired. So this was a "quantity" run not a "quality" run. It was slow. I did not feel smooth...my gait felt jerky". So 2 minutes longer this AM. So it was slow and I felt slow. The worst part was that when I got home everything was so tight I almost could not sit down or bend over to get my shoes off. I had to move very slowly to get things to start stretching out. So took my warm shower and then stretched.

I am moving a bit slow and walking like an old lady. So more stretching tonight!!!

Colby, difficulty making up teh 2000 cal deficit from the long run? Never my problem. I wish I could lose some weight w/ all this running. I decided not to the weight loss challenge, but try and eat "descent", not big splurges and hopefully as I increase my mileage I'll get some weight off.
Now that I say that I DID indulge in a gingerbread panera bagel this AM after my run. YUM!

4 miles Sat and 7 on Sunday is the plan.

K

[Crankin]

Set out to run 4 and ended up doing 3, with a few 30 second walk breaks. Just didn't feel it today. I have to find a way to be able to run 3 days a week and ride, too. Well, once I start riding on the trainer, that won't be as hard.
I was excited to wear the new Jacket Bluetree sold to me; it was 42 out and very windy, with gusts to 20 or so. I thought the wind stopper stuff would be great, but I was sweating, even with just a very micro weight base layer under the jacket. The good thing is, it has pit zips, so those opened up, then I unzipped the collar, and ended up taking off my headband. But, it's perfectly shaped for running and will be a great addition for really cold rides.
Off to stretch. I'll get this running thing down, eventually.

[indigoiis]

5.25 last night, 3.5 today, all downtown.

It's funny - I'm finding myself jogging in neighborhoods one might think of as "bad" but they are just neglected. I like discovering this town. I went by a man at a bus stop and he said first something in Spanish, and then "hey, I like to see a beautiful woman taking a jog!"

It made me smile. Call me vain.

[OakLeaf]

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

I'm taking the day off. Tomorrow I'm going to get my butt thrashed on the bici. Hopefully someone I can hang with will show up for this ride.

[Becky]

It's funny - I'm finding myself jogging in neighborhoods one might think of as "bad" but they are just neglected. I like discovering this town. I went by a man at a bus stop and he said first something in Spanish, and then "hey, I like to see a beautiful woman taking a jog!"

It made me smile. Call me vain.

I love stories like this, and no, I don't think you're vain at all DH and I commute through similar neighborhoods , and we've found people there to be friendly and respectful, even more so than the "nice" neighborhoods. One guy waved us down at a red light and yelled, "Damn! I just saw y'all over in New Castle (about 10 miles away)- y'all are hard core!"

[Jolt]

5.25 last night, 3.5 today, all downtown.

It's funny - I'm finding myself jogging in neighborhoods one might think of as "bad" but they are just neglected. I like discovering this town. I went by a man at a bus stop and he said first something in Spanish, and then "hey, I like to see a beautiful woman taking a jog!"

It made me smile. Call me vain.

Well, your attitude is better than mine! If anyone (well, mostly men) makes a comment, honks, or anything else when I'm out for a run it just makes me really uncomfortable. In the situation you describe, I would have been just plain creeped out! Doesn't matter what kind of neighborhood it is. I think that's part of why I prefer trail running (besides better scenery and varied terrain)--nobody watching me.