Running with the reindeer...December runs!

[7rider]

Seven---That's great!!! Brian and I might have to put that race on our calendar next year. We both love Baltimore.

Do you have any races on your schedule for early 2012? I am hoping to do a 10K in the first quarter.

Never got to reply to this....
Thanks! You should...it's a fun event, if a bit crowded (3,000 is the cap).
Nothing early scheduled. Maybe start the season with the Hagerstown Du on April 21. I'd then like to do the Ft. Ritchie Oly Du on May 12. That would be primarily training for the Blackwater Du on June 3. Both events mean I have to get serious about running distances greater than 5 miles. And soon. I basically have to be up to a half marathon distance by May. For me, the world's suckiest runner. Is that even possible?

Well...we can all have our dreams, right?

[Veronica]

For me, the world's suckiest runner. Is that even possible?

Well...we can all have our dreams, right?

Hey, you can't take my title away from me.

I'm beginning to accept that I may never run as fast as I would like. I really am not built for running speed. I suspect 7 minute miles will never be in my future. Maybe someday I'll be able to do one that fast!

But over the past year, with consistent running and a bit of a training plan, I've seen a lot of progress. More importantly, I kind of enjoy it now.

Just keep it fun 7 and keep doing the best that you can. And remember not every day is going to be a PR. Some days, I'm a full minute or more off from my fastest pace.

Veronica

[katluvr]

I haven't been on line in a few day so it was interesting to read all the posts...and very timely after my 12 mile "slog" today. Sorry about everyone's injuries. Last year training for Pikes Peak Ascent my goal was not to get injured and to no hate running. I managed that. Of course I have tweaks of ITB pain, some plantar fasceitis (sp?) and that stuff, but no real injuries or pain that prevent me from running. I don't think getting injured running is pathetic no matter the distance or what. I think some if how we are physically built or running still or just bad luck. I consider myself fortunate. As for distance and speed. I normally am meant for endurance/distance because I am SLOW. Definitely a turtle. However I really would love to get closer to a 2 hour 1/2 marathon. That means more like a 9 min mile. So today I was to run LR pace then mid mileage at race pace...so like 9 min miles...it was NOT possible. Of course I have to gotten in my weekly mileage or speed work and it showed today. I managed an 11 min mile pace over all for 12 miles. True it was a bit warm for this time of the year, mid 70's, but still I should of been faster. But I had lots of opportunities to turn around and cut the run short but decided 12 slow, not so much fun miles, was better than not doing the miles.
Normally I feel like I am venting or whining here about being slow and not improving and I get lots of inspiration and pep talks...now it is is my turn to give it back.
TE ladies are my inspirations, my drive to continue, often you help me set my goals. Getting injured sucks. Sorry. I could not imagine not being able to continue training for a set race. For others that are just trying to get miles up...good of you. We all started there. At least all of us are trying and giving it our best shot (or trying to at least).
Hugs and best wishes for healed runners here on TE!
K

[emily_in_nc]

Thank you for a very nice post, katluvr, and congrats on your 12-mile "slog". I think you did great considering that I would die trying to run that distance at any speed!

Today was not a good run for me. It was hot and sunny -- 80 degrees by the time I took off at 7:30 am, very windy (cross-wind the entire way since I run on the beach), tide was very high so had to run in soft sand in places, and I had a bit of a Benedryl "hangover" and itchy/sore ankle from where the stinging ant got me on Monday, which is why I'd taken the Benedryl the night before. Ugh!

Managed 3.25 miles and was just glad to get that in, under the circumstances!

[OakLeaf]

Healing thoughts to all our injured runners! There's nothing "pathetic" about any running - it is what it is and I hope everyone heals up quick.

I had an awful run today too. Must be something in the air. Yeah, it was hot, plus my stomach hasn't been right for three days now, so I was under-fueled and dehydrated. Plus my mood has been just awful. I ran the first six miles wanting to cry and the last eight wanting to puke, and the whole thing wanting to quit. But I did it. At an 11:39 pace, which I would point out is over 3 mm slower than I ran the half in October - I think most people can count on racing endurance events at least 2 mm faster than long run pace, so don't count yourself out!

[indysteel]

Thanks for the healing thoughts. Just to emphasize that I really didn't mean to insult anybody by using the word pathetic. I was just being a little sulky that I injured myself while running what I think of as a modest amount. I didn't intend that comment to be a reflection on anyone else.

Now back to our original program.

[Veronica]

Thanks for the healing thoughts. Just to emphasize that I really didn't mean to insult anybody by using the word pathetic. I was just being a little sulky that I injured myself while running what I think of as a modest amount. I didn't intend that comment to be a reflection on anyone else.

Now back to our original program.

I figured you were just having a well deserved pity party.

Veronica

[Blueberry]

I figured you were just having a well deserved pity party.

Veronica

And I was sharing in said pity party. I've made up for it with the spinning challenge - which I thankfully CAN still do!

[indysteel]

I figured you were just having a well deserved pity party.

Veronica

Yeah. I had just spent an hour with a PT massaging an area of my body that no one is privy to, not even my husband! I tried to just take it in stride, but oh the indignity.

Blueberry, you are rockin' that challenge. That's fantastic!!!

[katluvr]

I also enjoyed a massage today. My massage therapist works and works until he thinks he has all the knots out of my back & shoulders, I think he lost today! He found some wonderfully painful places on my legs, too! Oh the joy of a really good deep massage! My plantar fasceitis (I must look up that spelling) is really giving me the fits tonight, off to take my NSAID!
Hope I can get out for a few miles in the AM, then off to finish last minute xmas shopping (oh what fun!)

Hope we all have better runs tomorrow!

K

[Bike Chick]

Bike Chick - does your fitness club have ArcTrainers in their cardio machine offerings? I've found that ellipticals and other cardio machines either tweak my hip (mild arthritis) or knee ("runners" knee), but the ArcTrainer has a slightly different movement and I can use that as long as I want without pain anywhere in my body. You can use a running-like motion on it, and it is certainly better than the dread-mill... It is worth checking out if they have that option.

No, we don't have any of those but I wish we did.

It must've been pity party day and I think we are all allowed a little bit but we are past that now and moving forward. Right?

[indysteel]

No, we don't have any of those but I wish we did.

It must've been pity party day and I think we are all allowed a little bit but we are past that now and moving forward. Right?

I'm past the pity party. Now if this sidelines me for the rest of the winter, I'm might host another party in my honor, but for right now it's under control. Frankly, I've been under the weather this week so it was just another excuse to take it easy.

[Catrin]

I'm past the pity party. Now if this sidelines me for the rest of the winter, I'm might host another party in my honor, but for right now it's under control. Frankly, I've been under the weather this week so it was just another excuse to take it easy.

I hope you, and everyone, gets to feeling better. I had my own personal pity party last week...thankfully I am starting to sleep a little better and that does help.

Indy, your PT sounds great, I wish I could utilize his services but, alas, he is in a different network.

[katluvr]

Didn't mean to damper any pity parties...I have had plenty of my own. Just wanted you ladies to know how much inspiration I get her from my running buddies!

So I got off the couch this morning (tore myself away from the Today show, my coffee and cats) to go run. I thought about doing speed work, fartleks or even a tempo run. But after yesterday I decided to take it easy. So just 3 miles, probably slower than it should of been...but it is what it is. I'll get refocused for next week and find a way to get some real workouts in...but today if my pre-holiday day off (I work Fri & Sat) so going to the waterfront to take pics of the seabirds and then finish my holiday shopping.

Happy running all!

K

[GLC1968]

Damn it, I missed the pity party? That's just like me...always late to the party! I was going to moan about my plodding running too! At least I can thank my lucky stars (and my sensitive feet), that I'm still injury free. Sorry to those of you on the IR list. Here is sending you all Holiday Healing vibes!

so going to the waterfront to take pics of the seabirds and then finish my holiday shopping.

That sounds SO nice. While I like cold and snow for the holidays, after the last 15 years of either living or visiting FL for the holiday season, I am finding myself missing the mild weather this time of year, too. Funny!

Last year at this time, I was running on the Pinellas trail and complaining that 75F was too hot.