Running into the Holiday 12/20-12/27

[Jolt]

35-minute run on the snowy trails today, now that the snow has been trampled down quite a bit. Easier in some ways (smoother going--rocks and roots are covered) but harder in others (kind of like running in sand, in some spots). All in all a good run.

[rocknrollgirl]

1.5 mile treadmill run this morning before my IT band and knee flared up again. Despite my best efforts to stretch, use the foam roller, and work on muscle imbalance exercises, I can't seem to get ahead of this for more than a few days :-( (Sorry for whining!)

I have a ~4 mile "pickle run" in less than a month, and I really need to start getting some miles in so that I don't make an @ss of myself!

my IT band bothers me more on the treadmill than if I run on a soft natural surface. This may sound stupid, but have you tried outside lately?

[Becky]

my IT band bothers me more on the treadmill than if I run on a soft natural surface. This may sound stupid, but have you tried outside lately?

Yep, I've definitely experienced the same thing. Unfortunately, the hamster wheel has been my only option lately (work, dark, ice, etc.). I find that the treadmill is more tolerable when I'm barefoot, and it's proving to be good for my form. Come spring, I hope to continue running barefoot (or at least minimally shod) outside.

Did 1.5 barefoot miles tonight, and really focused on what alleviated the pain each time it "twinged", and holding those changes. I felt really good at the end!

[Bike Chick]

I wish I knew! Friends talked me into it. It looks like a bunch of winter running insanity, with both timed runs and predictive runs (where you win by guessing your finishing time- speed has nothing to do with it).

Check out the second one down: http://runtheday.com/findarace.shtml

I think it's going to be a lot of fun!

Neat! Sounds like fun......better than your ole run of the mill 5k.

[katluvr]

Did 1st run w/ the new plan after work yesterday. It was as follows:
1 mile "easy" (11 - 11:30)
1 miles Tempo (10)
1/2 mile recovery (yes, I did take walk break during part of this time)
1 mile Tempo
1 mile easy (cool down)

So all and all did OK. First go round it was hard to hit and keep 10 min mile pace. And always "over shot" the pace. Breathing was off. But did it. 2nd tempo mile I don't think I hit 10 min mile all the time but was between there and 10:30. Then on the easy last mile (actually only did .8) I found myself running pretty easy and sometimes below 11.

I think I did 4.3 miles in about 45 or 46 min. (Forgot what watch said).
Tomorrow is farklets.
Weather is cool 50's (highs of 60's) so this is good running weather for me!

[indigoiis]

I did my intervals on the dreadmill because the paddocks have a foot and a half of snow. I did something like 6 x 5K pace for 2 min. with 2 min in between of 6 mph pace, a warmup and cooldown at 5 mph, and it ended up being 3.36 miles total.

[Susan Otcenas]

8 miles for me this morning. It was about 30 degrees out, with very dense fog. Which means freezing fog crystals on the ground and slightly slippery conditions. I took it easy wherever it looked slick, or in the dark patches. 85 minutes start to finish, which included a 3 minute walk at 45 minutes while I ate a Gu and drank some water. I can't run over 60 minutes without some nutrition half way through.

Save for tight calves, it felt pretty good! And I love that 8 miles feels "routine" now, when just 6 months ago I'd never run farther than 10K.

Susan

[colby]

I think I ran once or twice this week, mostly 3-4 mile distances, but I have been to the gym once or twice, too. At one point I felt like I was going to implode and went to the gym post haste before someone died. I've been doing the elliptical, level 8, random, for 45-60 minutes. Feels a lot like running without pounding the pavement.

After I have been running, my heel has been bothering me - I think it's everything from my arch through my achilles, so I've been trying to take it easy from running and stretch. Time to do some strengthening in that system!

Left big toenail is pretty purple, all the way down to the base of the nail, but interestingly not at the very top, almost like it was bent or jammed downward. I could feel it down to the first knuckle for a while. Goodbye, toenail. You will be missed.

[limewave]

My in-laws dumped a major project on me that has to get done in the next two weeks. Never work for family . . . BIG MISTAKE.

And on top of that, I'm the only one working in the office at my "day job". I feel like I have been completely dumped on. I'll be working all weekend long and probably on Christmas.

Anyways, all that to say that I was supposed to get in some good runs this week and it isn't working out so well.

Ran 3 miles last night at midnight.

Then got up at 5:30 this AM to run 6 miles.

I'm behind on my 25k training schedule. The good thing is that the running is helping work through my anxiety and anger issues towards the inlaws.

[Susan Otcenas]

Goodbye, toenail. You will be missed.

A week after my half marathon in October, it became clear that I was going to lose the 2nd toenail on my right foot. I have no idea how I damaged it. After more than 2 months, it's finally gone, and the new nail is looking pretty good! Weirdly, though, it seems alot smaller. (narrower and shorter). I can't remember losing a nail as an adult. I wonder if it will ever look normal again?

[OakLeaf]

Weirdly, though, it seems alot smaller.

Now that's interesting. I'd pretty much given up on the idea of having my damaged toenail removed because I'd heard (not from a podiatrist) that once a nail bed is damaged, it's permanent and the nail would grow back the same way. Maybe there's hope and I need to think again about scheduling a time when I can be off my feet...

Anyway, it has not been a good few days but I got out for four today.

[indigoiis]

lime, I am sorry to hear of your in-law woes. That totally sucks. Once you are done with this project, can you "fire" them? Can you get them to get some other person to take on their projects in future?

Oak, I am sorry you are having a crappy week.

I ran 3.26 again today with DH, in my VFFs on paved (plowed to pavement) roads. It's 40d. and sunny. I was supposed to do weights too but we did farm chores like shovel snow in the paddock, so that was my weights. Next two days are rest days. I see my MIL Saturday though so I figure I need to run Saturday before we go, because I'll be sitting on my rear end eating fat and sugar all day.

[Deborajen]

Limewave, that bites! Glad you got a good run in. Running helps me burn things off, too.

I did a 2-miler night before last before the weather changed here. It was getting dark so I decided to run in the park on the grass, around the basketball court, around the tennis court, etc. It was kind of fun with the variety of surfaces - I usually just run on pavement.

Now it's snowing a little, and the wind is blowing 35-45 mph. I'm going to squeeze in some stairs here in a little bit. Hopefully a long run Saturday or Sunday.

[zoom-zoom]

10 miles today...4.2 miles in I hit 1800 for the year--woot! Now just one more 5 miler and I can claim having run at least 100 miles every month all year. 2009 has been a good year for running.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm behind on my 25k training schedule.

Hey, 25k...in MI? Would this be the 5/3 Riverbank Run? Don't worry, you have MONTHS to catch up and be ready to go.