Let the running season begin! September Running

[Bike Chick]

I did a 6 mile tempo run last night and had a 10:30/mm average! And I walked part of the last mile as a cool down. That is rockin' for me. Now if I could do two of those back to back, I might be able to break a 2:30 hour hm.

I don't know what the difference was but some days you feel good and others you can't pick your feet up. Monday's 3 mile run was ugly then I ran last night and thought something was wrong with my Garmin because 10 mm were feeling easy.

Is this how it happens? Do you just have to keep plugging away and hang in there to get faster? It's taken me 2 years to be able to run this pace. Running hasn't come easy for me.

[limewave]

Bike Chic--yes, running is like that. There are days that are horrible and then all of a sudden, you have a run that just feels great!

In my experience it takes a long time to increase your speed. Also, if you want to get faster, imho, your training needs to be intentional: pace work, speed work, long runs, recovery runs, rest days, etc. I am steadily getting faster while DH has been running the same pace for the last decade. He never does speed work while I do regular tempo/speed workouts.

I did a nice 5-6 mile trail run yesterday. I LOVE TRAIL RUNNING! :-)

[kacie tri-ing]

Agreed about the good/bad days. I do think it doesn't matter if you [I]feel[I] good though. Get the miles in. You body doesn't care if you are tired/dragging/stressed, run anyway. Then, you WILL get those magical days when you are rested/energetic/recovered.

Also agree about speed work. My running gets faster to a point, but without dedicated speed work, it stays in the same area.

I am trying to break 12 hours at IM cozumel, so we have integrated speed work again. I did 4x800 on the track this week (and a bunch of other runs). Training started again on Tuesday, and I'm kind of tired already! Yikes!

[skhill]

Well, I ran past someone smoking pot out on the street yesterday for the first time in a long time. At least this time it wasn't at a school bus stop. The things you sometimes see/smell while running!

Planning on doing a 10k race this Saturday, but it's going to be slow. Thinking about leaving the watch at home, so I can just relax and enjoy the morning. The distance isn't a problem, I've just been running excruciatingly slow lately. Frustrating.

[GLC1968]

Did a 3.5 mile run on Wednesday right about lunch time and that was a mistake. I'm in FL doing some networking with my alma mater, and wow, it's hot here! My only break was around lunch, so I had no choice about timing. I was only out there 35 minutes and I got tan lines from my shoes! Anyway, it was tough because of the heat, but I felt pretty strong despite it.

Today I was supposed to do 6 with 4 at tempo but that just wasn't going to happen. I was standing at a career fair all day and my feet are exhausted. I'll run tomorrow instead but keep it short (tomorrow and Saturday). Sunday is my LONG run of this entire training plan and yes...I have to do it here in FL. 12 miles. I'm gonna either melt, wilt or just plain burst into flames!!

katluvr, I have no idea how you do this on a regular basis! You totally have my respect!

[Bike Chick]

GLC, it sounds like we have identical training plans

[GLC1968]

GLC, it sounds like we have identical training plans

I was thinking that too! When is your HM? Are you using a training plan from Runners World published this summer, perhaps?

I totally hear you on the speed thing. I'm slow, but I'm just trying to focus on the fact that I'm running at all. 2 years ago, I couldn't even run 1 mile without pain and now I've done 10 (and soon 12!), foot pain free. That has to keep me happy because I'm always disappointed with my speed.

Funny thing is, I ran with a coworker twice a couple of weeks ago and I easily maintained a 10 m/m pace for both the 4 mile and the 3 mile runs over terrain that was hillier than I run at home. I am clearly capable of going faster than I do, but I just don't. I think it's mostly a mental block for me (to a point, of course).

[katluvr]

Florida heat...yeah, lovely! GLC, I normally do more biking in the summer, but this year I ran all summer to prepare for the peak. Trust me 18 miles in July & August heat in humidity makes you feel awful and SLOW! IT is MUCH better now.

Did 3 miles today, 1 mile warm up and then 6 one minute intervals (with 1 minute recovery) of "speed work". Then a cool down, so 3 miles total. So essentially I just RAN for a minute at what ever may body could do. Ended up they were about 8:15 - 8:30 min mile pace. I, too, am very slow and just got to where 10:15-10:30 mm is comfortable, a real 10 mm for very long is not doable. But I really want to get closer (or under) 2 hours for my half marathon this year...we shall see.

Heading up to St. Augustine shortly for the MS Bike Ride this weekend. Like I said before I have hardly been on the bike...slow and steady that is me!

K

[limewave]

A very blustery 2 miles for me this morning. Windgusts upwards 40 mph, so I kept it short. Hoping to get the last 5-6 miles in this evening to finish up my scheduled 7 mile tempo run.

[GLC1968]

Did just shy of 4 miles today, but I don't think it qualifies as a 'run'. The last mile was more walking than running and even doing that, I was getting dizzy. I walked in, grabbed a towel, kicked off my shoes and fell into my parents pool. The 85F pool was like a cold shock to my body...I was THAT hot.

Of course, running at 1 pm was stupid, but it was my only opportunity to take a break, so I did it. Tomorrow and Sunday I'll shoot for early morning.

[Jolt]

About a 45-minute trail run for me today--trail running is the best! I am thinking about looking for a half marathon or a 10-mile trail run to train for...it would be good to increase my distance and I could use a goal to step things up. Besides, my sisters have both talked about training for a half marathon and I can't let them show me up .

[OakLeaf]

I did about five, in a chilly drizzle. My own fault for blowing off running yesterday, I was out of excuses for today. It felt okay once I got going, but it's a real struggle for me to change into running clothes when I'm already freezing.

[indysteel]

I think I can finally start running again. My hyperactive thyroid is seemingly under control although we are playing with my drug dosage. When I started running again last February, my guess is that my thyroid was already or just starting to go wonky, so that might explain why I had struggled to make much progress past a slow 3-mile run or run/walk. I often felt like I was having an anxiety attack and had trouble keeping my HR down. Come June, they started to suspect something was amiss. Because of the horrible heat wave, I had already stopped running much, but once the term Graves' Disease was mentioned, I decided I better formally cool it. My resting heart rate wasn't horrible, but it took very little to get it well over 100.

Well, my latest round of bloodwork suggests to me that it's safe to ease back into it as my heartrate is back down. I've lost whatever running fitness I gained earlier this year, so I'll start slow again and just see how I feel. Here's hoping. I really was enjoying it last year, as it's simply easier for me to get out for a run after work than a ride, and I love running when it's cool/cold out.

Now if I could just find a new pair of shoes that I like.

[OakLeaf]

Now if I could just find a new pair of shoes that I like.

Yay indy! Hope everything continues to go well with your thyroid.

Try on a pair of the Altra Intuition if you can find them in stock in your size. If only my feet weren't so freakin' wide I would totally love these shoes.

[indysteel]

Yay indy! Hope everything continues to go well with your thyroid.

Try on a pair of the Altra Intuition if you can find them in stock in your size. If only my feet weren't so freakin' wide I would totally love these shoes.

Thanks, Oak.

Will do re: the Altra. My feet are very narrow in the heal, and the rest of my foot is mostly narrow, but I have a slighter wider forefoot. I have been wearing the Mizuno Waverider with success. However, they changed the fit this past year, and they don't work for me anymore. I still have a pair of the old model that are in good shape, so there's no emergency. But that aside, I would like to try a more minimal shoe at some point.