Spooky running - It's October!

[Selkie]

I've successfully transitioned to running three days a week (9 miles). This week, due to meetings at work, ended up having to run two days in a row (I usually take one day off between runs). No problems with my ankle tendons.

This Sunday will be my first really cold weather run of the season (should be in the 30s). I'm going to start adding distance to my Sunday run - short term goal is to run 10 miles a week. That will be two 3 milers and one 4 miler a week.

[skhill]

Anyone else find it hard to get out the door and running when it's cold? Of course, scurrying around trying to find a hat and mittens doesn't help... Had to shorten today's run, it took so long to get started, so went 3.5 miles, the last mile uphill into the wind. Should have checked the weather channel before going, and planned the route accordingly. But it's a beautiful fall day now that the rain has ended...

[luckylilmama]

Waited all day yesterday for the rain to clear, then took DS to my mom's house and went out from there. It's in the country, so it was beautiful. My original plan was to run for 6 miles, but I decided to go for 7. Got rained on miles 5-6, but I think it helped take my mind off the pain!

[rubysoho]

because I worked last weekend I left work early today. Came home and after napping (omg, I never nap! I guess I needed it after a couple hectic weeks) I decided I would head out for a two mile run. It wasn't the best feeling run but I am glad I did it. The weather is supposed to turn nasty tomorrow and I have to work this weekend too so most likely won't get a ride or run in. I can't wait until Thursday. That will be my first day off in about a month! All this work is getting in the way of my playtime.

[Veronica]

I had a great run last Saturday - 8.5 miles at a nice sustainable pace. Monday I woke up with my hip feeling like someone was jabbing me with a knitting needle! Hip bursitis - so much fun. I missed my runs on Monday and Thursday and my trainer workout on Tuesday. I NEVER skip my workouts with Shawna! It's finally back to normal today, leaving me three days to get my monthly mileage goal.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Ugh V., glad it seems to have resolved quickly! Any idea what brought it on?

I did not-quite-14 today, first long run since the half. Really felt good in the cooler weather - physically anyway, and mentally at least I feel better than I did when I started! I set out to do not-quite-12, but there's an intersection that ALWAYS confuses me, as many times as I've run it [see why I need the mapping GPS on the bike?]. By the time I figured out I hadn't turned the way I meant to, I actually do know the roads well enough that I had a few options, so I chose a figure-8 route that would've let me do pretty close to the mileage I'd planned. When I got to the last turnoff I was feeling good enough to do the extra two.

[Veronica]

No idea what caused it - rest, ice, Advil and compression tights have been my friend.

I'm sad - I accidentally washed my Thumps two weeks ago and Oakley doesn't make them anymore. They were really cool because they didn't actually sit inside your ear, so I could hear the music and my environment. And I felt really cool wearing shades on my treadmill runs at the gym.

I got a cheap knockoff pair from Amazon that I will try out tomorrow.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Oh, don't you know all the cool kids are wearing Kicker now anyway.

[solobiker]

Got in a nice 5 mile run this morning. I was planning on 6 but my hamstrings were tightening up too much to continue. The temperature was a nice 35 degrees. A very beautiful morning.

[Blueberry]

Did week 3 workout 2 last night. My first treadmill installment on the C25K plan (it was 42 and raining....). 7.5 minutes of running (and but for the calf, could have done more - the run parts were feeling good for once).

Still having a lot of calf soreness problems. After a 3 minute run interval, I almost had to stop walking. Made a point of stretching well after the workout. I'm hoping that helps.

My HR strap also caused blisters (ruptured). Wearing a bra today is gonna be fun....

[OakLeaf]

Ouch!

I've got a piece of masking tape over the battery door of my HR strap. It stays put as long as the battery lasts and it does a good job preventing chafing.

[rubysoho]

blueberry, do you think the cramping could be from some sort of deficiency? I remember reading somewhere that cramping in calves came from low levels of either calcium, magnesium or b12. I can't remember which.

Sorry about the blisters! That is no fun.

[Blueberry]

The HR strap (old style Garmin) got me in the left side just outside of being below the boob. I wonder if I didn't have the little tab in all the way (or whether it rubbed when I was stretching).

Calf Pain: I don't think it's a nutritional deficiency. I'm hoping it's just a combination of the fact that I've been running 3 weeks and I'm doing this program in barefoot shoes (though I have been walking in them for 2 years and doing gym workouts in them). No foot pain with them (new!), so I really don't want to go get fitted for a traditional running shoe. It feels like the calf is too full and tight - it's not really a cramp per se. Both are affected, but the right is much worse. Very odd, and not something I've encountered biking (but have had walking fast up hill).

[rubysoho]

oh ok. I think I know the calf cramping that you are talking about. Although when my calf was cramping it ended up hurting for two weeks after the run (first run in toe shoes, never had a problem sense but I am training slowly).

[GLC1968]

Blueberry - keep working through the calf pain...it will subside eventually. I would say it took me 8 or 9 months before I had no pain at all. Every single time I increased my run distance by even the slightest amount, the pain would flare up. Best thing was to 1) make sure you stretch well afterward and 2) compression calf sleeves. I bought a pair of medical grade ones with half feet at Walgreens that were easier and quicker to get on than my full recovery tights, so that I'd be more apt to wear them. They really helped! (put them on AFTER the run for a few hours or so)

So running...

I did 4 miles on Thursday (can't remember if I reported that here or not), a 5K trail run dressed as a zombie on Saturday (no, I did not get any 'survivors'...the fast zombies got them all!) and then 8 miles yesterday. The 8 miles was pretty much with soaked feet the whole way (rain), but my smart wool socks saved me.