Trotting for Turkey (November Running)

[jessmarimba]

Running doesn't feel "fun" to me until 5 miles becomes easy. Fortunately I know now that once I reach that point, it becomes a lot less sucky, but the first couple times i started from scratch I found running to be miserable for a long time.

I still prefer company to do more than 8. For me, people are a better distraction than an ipod or anything else.

(Got back out on the bike today for the first time since I raced a couple months ago. Ugh. Unfortunately my biking probably feels like running to you. Baby steps...)

[emily_in_nc]

Running doesn't feel "fun" to me until 5 miles becomes easy. Fortunately I know now that once I reach that point, it becomes a lot less sucky, but the first couple times i started from scratch I found running to be miserable for a long time.

Good point, Jess. I think I am at the point now where I need to increase my distance, even though 3.5-ish (my usual training run MWF) is still somewhat difficult. It wouldn't be *that* much harder to do 4, and maybe eventually 5. I don't know that it will ever be *easy*, but the easiest it's going to get is during the cool season here (Jan-Mar), so if I can't do it then, I probably never will.

I know what my NY's resolution will be this year!

[7rider]

Thanks, all. It's good to know that I'm not alone and that my feelings aren't that unusual. I keep hoping that a 3-mile run will get "easy" (will if ever???). I figure if I hit that milestone, things may start clicking. Or something. I'm just not commited enough to run EVERY day. Training for this event has me solidly in a 3-days/week schedule, but with bike commuting, weekend rides, yoga, my strength work, oh, and a full time job, there are only so many hours - and so much energy - to dedicate to sport. And I don't even have any kids. I don't know how ironman athletes train and keep a home standing. I get tired just thinking about it.

It's great to read about all of your challenges - and accomplishments! You folks are inspiring. Keep up the excellent work.

Thanks!

[Bike Chick]

Great job, Emily, and congrats to your hubby. We run about the same pace so I know how good it feels to get a PR. I looked at your pictures and it's absolutely beautiful down there.

[Veronica]

Drizmal - I have a hard time getting out the door to exercise once we enter drizmal season. That's what I call it when it's sunny just over the hills, but we're socked in with river fog - for DAYS on end.

Anyway... managed to get out the door this morning for 3 miles with Thom. He did intervals, I just ran. My head and neck still hurt from my stupid fall on Saturday.

Veronica

[emily_in_nc]

Great job, Emily, and congrats to your hubby. We run about the same pace so I know how good it feels to get a PR. I looked at your pictures and it's absolutely beautiful down there.

Thanks Bike Chick! It really is.

7rider, my DH only runs 3x a week and still won the race and finds running "easy", so it's not necessary to run daily to do well at it. In fact, I think it's probably safer not to -- less risk of injuries if you do different workouts throughout the week. I cycle, do yoga/lates and light weight-training as well, so a 3x a week running schedule works well for me -- and not on consecutive days.

[katluvr]

About runs feeling easy...just when they do you try to amp up the speed. So, yes, eventually they feel easier, but like I said then you try to get a new PR!

Speaking of upping my speed, did my first run of my new plan to get faster. So it was a tempo run and I my goal was 9:30 - 9:50 pace for 1 mile, 1/2 mile recovery and then another mile at tempo pace. And I CAN run 9:30. Not real steady w/ my pace, thank goodness for my garmin, but I can do it. What I really need to run is 9 or sub 9, but I'll get there. At least I think I can. Overall 4 miles w/ warm up and cool down.

Next week I need to do the full 2 miles at tempo pace... hope I can hang in there!

K

[skhill]

It's been raining yet again, so I didn't run the past two days. I was planning on heading over to the Y and using the treadmill this morning, but we had a break in the rain! It was just a slushy drizzle, and it felt good to be out running in it. Wore my merril minimalist shoes for the first time, and my feet were warmer and dryer than in the VFFs. But I did cut it off at 3 miles, because I couldn't see through my rain-streaked glasses in the dark, and couldn't see well enough to run without them.