Spooky running - It's October!

[OakLeaf]

Nice job GLC!

FWIW, with my limited experience, I'm finding that my first race at any distance has been kind of a throwaway in terms of time - strictly a learning experience on what the distance is about. I know for a fact I was in MUCH better shape two years ago the last time I ran a half marathon; running this one nearly 8 minutes faster was all about experience (and the choice to not try to have so much fun at the expense of speed ).

Yellow ... speaking of amazing goals!!

I just walked a couple-three miles easy yesterday, and I'm trying to decide whether to walk or jog today. I definitely need some recovery days, but I really want to push on through into marathon training. I still have to pick my next race, but my time on Sunday brought me a lot of confidence for a good marathon time. Fingers crossed...

[Blueberry]

Did the 27/3 workout of a Couch to 5k plan (a total of about 35 minutes). Was going to run 2 minutes, but wanted to do a third. Run intervals were hard, but not miserable. Feeling it in my calves definitely.

Got back just before the rain. A sticky, steamy workout. Thankfully, cooler weather is coming with the rain.

[jessmarimba]

Weekly bar run today. It turned into a tempo run, since the girl who is staying with me isn't as slow as she leads me to believe.

Which is cool, I could use the extra work!

Just signed up to run the Richmond half marathon. Hopefully I can redeem myself after that trail race here

(Also hopefully, the decrease in altitude ought to push me to my goal pace - I'd LOVE to finish in 2 hours but would be content with under 2:05. Since I finished the half during the full in 2:09, I should be able to go faster, right?)

[VeganBikeChick]

Ugh...

Just started "officially" running a month ago. New to the sport, never been an athlete, out of shape, yadda yadda.

Was able to fully run a 5k last week. Haven't been able to do so again. It's so frustrating! I can tell that my aerobic capacity is MUCH better, but it's like there's a signal in my brain telling my legs they can't run another step. So I walk for a song, then start running again.

Any advice on overcoming mind blocks?

[jessmarimba]

When I first started running, I started with a run-walk program and found it to be much easier on me mentally. When I got to about a 5k distance, I was running 5 min, walking 30 seconds. Then I ran a race and didn't walk because no one else was and I realised I could do it.

Other than that I'd say just set goals. You can't run another step? Run one more block, then walk. You'll teach yourself to read physical vs mental limits that way.

[emily_in_nc]

VeganBikeChick,

You've only been running a month and already ran a 5K? You have nothing to feel bad about! That's really quick to get up to that distance. Don't think you can do it again? Well, just scale back a bit, do the run/walk thing until it comes. Yes, it is mind over matter to some degree, but it also takes a body time to build strength and endurance used for running, which are not the same as for cycling. It's not just about aerobic capacity.

I am only running a 5K distance even now, and I've been "running"/jogging, whatever, for over 2 years, so you have nothing to feel bad about. Depending on the weather, my mood, and how much exercise I've been getting (or not getting), sometimes even that 5K distance can feel like a marathon, and I have to play mind games to get myself to the end, like imagining that my deceased father is waiting there for me at the end.

All that said, I did my 5K beach run this morning for the first time since I wrenched my back 1.5 weeks ago, and it felt just fine. However, klutz that I am, I tripped on a root on the path and fell, skidding with both palms on the sand, which was a bit of an owie, but I didn't see to do any other damage and was able to finish just fine.

[VeganBikeChick]

Thank you so much, Emily. Your words are very inspirational and I appreciate your perspective!!

Yay to you for persevering (!!), and owie about your hands - crossing fingers that you heal quickly.

[Blueberry]

So I'm going to try to follow the quicker Beginner Triathlete plan....we'll see. I'll back up if I need to - but it's sort of what fit with what I was wanting to do.

Did workout 2 of week 2 today - but probably ran closer to 4 minutes. Managed an "interval" of 2:39 running. On grass. Breathing is hard - but everything else felt good. Perfect fall day with crunchy leaves.

Sore calves again.

[Jolt]

"Long" run today, road/trail combo, just over an hour (not sure of distance because of the trails). Sunny and high 50s--very nice running weather although the trails were pretty wet from the rain yesterday morning/Wednesday.

[skhill]

Today was supposed to be a long run-- but about 1.5 miles in, I splashed through a puddle in the shadows. It was only 35F, cold for dry VFFs even with socks, but with a wet one... So I turned around, headed for home, planning on changing shoes and running more. Somehow it didn't happen. So just 3 miles today.

[rubysoho]

just got back from a forty-five minute trail run/walk (mostly run, yay!). I took my dog and this was our best run together so far (she can be a spaz and instead of my run being zen time it is just frustrating). I think it helped that we were on a wooded trail so the path focused her some. The water table is still pretty high so I am going to start a thread on some shoe options. I either need something water proof or a solution to cut the smell my shoes are begining to have. (ewww!)

Anyway, I am so happy the cold weather has cut back on the spider webs and the trails aren't so overgrown. I looooooove running on these trails.

[jessmarimba]

Woke up this morning and felt kinda blah. Met my group, decided to play it by ear (theoretically, my taper schedule should be 12-10-8 or 6). Started running and felt ok enough, so I went for 12. Rationale being, if I didn't do it today, I probably wouldn't feel like it later.

Got it done a little slower than I'd hoped for, but I feel like crap. I've been in bed all day. I think it's just a cold but the soreness from the run isn't helping my mood! If I could do my run today fast enough to finish a half in 2:10, surely dropping 5,000 feet in altitude and not feeling sick can wipe a few minutes off my time, right?

[Blueberry]

Beautiful weather! Love it!!

Did Week 2, Workout 3: except ran more than I was supposed to - 6 minutes of running. Not getting easier - 1 minute of running has me completely out of breath and with a rocketing heart rate. I'm sure it will get easier.

I hold at this level for a while it looks like (2 weeks) - I am loving running with the crunching leaves!!