A spring in your step! Running 3/22 and on

[indysteel]

I got my copy of Chi Running earlier this week. It's a lot to digest, but I hope to spend some time on it it over the weekend. Some of it is similar to what I've learned in yoga. Certainly, the body and breathing consciousness I've learned in yoga will be of some help, at least I hope so. Plus, I'm already a mid-foot striker, so that helps. I'll keep you posted!

[sgf726]

8 miles today, took it easy as my left hamstring is a little tight and have only 9 days til the marathon. We are tapering now this will be my longest run until the 18th just a couple of 6 mile runs planned for next week.

[indysteel]

Did yet another three miles yesterday. I mapped my ride on mapmyride.com, and it looks like I'm averaging a 10-minute mile. I'm happy with that, although I'll ultimately be happier with a 9-minute mile!

[HillSlugger]

I did my first ever 6 mile run yesterday. I felt good, I felt relaxed, I felt strong, I felt like I could have kept going, at least for a little while, and I did it faster than anticipated!

[7rider]

Excellent, Slugger! If today was a "long bike ride" day for you - you totally should have joined us for a C-ride with the shop today. We gratefully got dropped off the back and 6 of us did our ride at our own pace and had a grand time.

As for running, Saturday I did "speed work" at the local HS track. Except, the track team was practicing when I got there () so I did my intervals around the football field (which the HS athletic director had recommended when I contacted him about using the track in the first place). But...after a few days of rain, the edge of the field was slick mud, so the footing was less then sure and it was a VERY challenging set of intervals.

I think I attached the file from the workout. It shows just HOW small a football field is compared to a track. I had no idea, but suspected something was up, as I had to run 2 2/3 trips around the field to get my 1/2 mile interval in, vs. 2 laps on the track.

Saturday is my first official duathlon. I hope I'm ready. I really want to get one more run-bike-run workout in with my tri club on Wednesday. After that...it's "either I do it or I don't" - and I think I will...I just don't think I'll be setting any records.

[HillSlugger]

Excellent, Slugger! If today was a "long bike ride" day for you - you totally should have joined us for a C-ride with the shop today. We gratefully got dropped off the back and 6 of us did our ride at our own pace and had a grand time.

As for running, Saturday I did "speed work" at the local HS track. Except, the track team was practicing when I got there () so I did my intervals around the football field (which the HS athletic director had recommended when I contacted him about using the track in the first place). But...after a few days of rain, the edge of the field was slick mud, so the footing was less then sure and it was a VERY challenging set of intervals.

I think I attached the file from the workout. It shows just HOW small a football field is compared to a track. I had no idea, but suspected something was up, as I had to run 2 2/3 trips around the field to get my 1/2 mile interval in, vs. 2 laps on the track.

Saturday is my first official duathlon. I hope I'm ready. I really want to get one more run-bike-run workout in with my tri club on Wednesday. After that...it's "either I do it or I don't" - and I think I will...I just don't think I'll be setting any records.

Looks like you would have been better off running around the edge of the baseball fields, instead.

My long ride today was 42 miles. I felt good, until the last 4 miles when things started to hurt.

I never feel ready before a race. You should think of your first as a learning experience. You gotta do it so that you'll be that much more ready for the one's you really care about.

[7rider]

Looks like you would have been better off running around the edge of the baseball fields, instead.

Actually, the more I thought about it while I was running, the more I wondered if the Athletic Director said "baseball" field, vs. "football" field, and I just coudn't recall!

My long ride today was 42 miles. I felt good, until the last 4 miles when things started to hurt.

I got in 36 myself. We should connect next time you do a long ride on Sunday.

I never feel ready before a race. You should think of your first as a learning experience. You gotta do it so that you'll be that much more ready for the one's you really care about.

This will be my "learning" race. I'm actually glad I'm doing this one solo, without a posse or team. Those run-bike-run workouts will be helpful for learning about transitions, but the second one I can do is just 3 days before my race, so I'll likely be taking it easy this Wednesday.