Moving right along January 3rd-9th

[Crankin]

I ran on the tm last night, for the first run in a long time. I did a miniscule 30 minutes on the cardio program, level 1, which seemed too slow for the walk intervals, so I bumped it up. However, when it got to some of the run intervals, the speed was 7 mph, which was too fast, so I had to set it back to 6 mph.
My DH told me he loved this program, but I would rather control the intervals on my own, using the manual function. I was fine running at 5 mph, and was breathing hard at 6 mph, pretty much the same as always. Now my hips are really sore, along with some hamstring ouchiness. Some of it is from x country skiing on Wednesday, so I took an Advil and hope to stretch it out on the trainer today.
I keep going back and forth with whether I am going to continue running, but I like having something I can do in a shorter time period. And, I like running outside when it's cold out. OK, not the kind of cold you ladies are describing (we rarely have that), but when it's in the 20's-40's. Motivate me, please...

[Becky]

Crankin- Nothing wrong with doing 6 mph! I'm lucky to see that on dry land, and never on the treadmill. I'd launch myself off the back in a blaze of glory! I keep telling myself that it doesn't matter how fast or how far I go, as long as I'm doing it and without re-injuring myself. (Gosh, it's hard to be that patient!)

If you like running outside when it's chilly and have the clothing to do it comfortably, then why not? It doesn't hurt to mix things up a little, even if cycling is the main sport.

[Crankin]

Thanks for that message, Becky. The ten minute mile seems to be my limit, although I never really pushed myself. I was so proud of myself for actually running 4-5 miles last year, until my back started acting up. I felt lucky that I had absolutely no shin or knee problems because I started so slowly. As in cycling, I seem to be more of an endurance person than a speed person.
I have a big cycling trip to Spain in the middle of May. Right now I'm doing some serious (for me) indoor training for that and I hope to be out on the road by March 10th or so. Although I usually get outside on the bike by then, I need to do longer distances, earlier in the season than usual. Running fatigues my body in a way that sort of interferes with cycling, so that's my issue. I can continue running 2 times a week, with no ill effects, but then I never improve. Cycling is my first love, and although I'll never be as fast as I used to be, I don't want to hurt when I am riding.

[Becky]

Wow, that sounds like an awesome trip! Post pics, okay?

I'm not surprised that running is more fatiguing than cycling. I experience the same thing. Are you building in some rest days?

I guess it depends what your goal is when you run. Is it to be a better runner, or is it to cross-train so that you can be a better cyclist? If it's the latter, then I don't see anything wrong with only running a couple of times a week, just to mix things up a little and use some different muscle groups.

(And I totally agree with everything that Bike Chick says too!)

[indigoiis]

Crankin, I'm with you. I'm all about endurance over speed. I don't get bored during long runs or rides (I have heard other people often do.) I have a pretty hyperactive imagination and while that limits me somewhat in "the real world" it keeps me busy on runs and rides.

I am jealous of your trip to Spain! Of course I would do more eating than riding.

So, I still have this nagging cough and did not run the past two days. My feeling is, why chance making it worse, and then I'll REALLY lose training. So I am taking it easy. But I miss it. And I miss the bike. I saw a guy riding home along route 3 last evening, standing up on a long hill that I never stand on, and I wanted to stop and cheer for him. Soon enough I'll be out there again. I just have to be patient and get better!

[Crankin]

Indi, you are doing the right thing. There have been too many times when I pushed through the illness and I ended up with something really bad.
I am running I guess to do something different, as it seems the older I get, the more my body adapts to what I am doing. So, it really is for cross training, but there is a little part of me that is competitive enough, with myself, at least that wants to improve.
I am taking rest days. One day of complete rest and one that's an easy walk, spin, or just yoga or snow shoeing on easy trails right now.
The trip is to celebrate my 30th anniversary, which was actually in December. It's 10 days of the tour, with 8 days of cycling and 2 walking days. We are spending 3 days in Seville before the tour and 3 days lying on the beach in Malaga after. And believe me, i will be doing plenty of eating. No restrictions on food when I am doing this kind of trip.

[Bike Chick]

Crank, I think it's hard any time you start something new but it's also great to mix it up and do something in addition to cycling. I've only been running about a year off and on and don't do over 5 mph on the treadmill and certainly don't run that fast outside. There are days that I feel invigorated and others like yesterday that I have to force my way through it--but I'm moving and not sitting on my duff on the couch. It also makes the winter go by faster. Take it slow and hang in there.