January 2012 Running - Snow, stay away!

[Selkie]

Selkie, I've been running in the VFF bikilas-- but only down to temps in the mid-20s, with wool socks. As the one of the stores in town that sells them was having a 10% off everything in-stock this weekend, I now have a new pair! It was back to the treadmill AGAIN this morning, due to thundersorms (in January!!!!). So the new pair now has 4 miles on them.

I like the bikilas but I don't run in them (also like the komandos). Enjoy your new shoes!

After work, I plugged out 4 miles on the treadmill (potential icy conditions/freezing drizzle/rain in the morning put the kabosh on my planned run at work).

[OakLeaf]

Well, this week was supposed to be a pull-back week anyway in preparation for the 5K on Saturday, but for periodization purposes it obviously needs to be a pull-back week. I've been sooooo sore for the last few days, between cycling and yoga and errands on the hybrid. I did 11 on Sunday - about four miles of easy barefoot walking on the beach yesterday - today I'll just do a short run with a few pick-ups.



Indy (if you're reading) - totally fair to stay away from the thread if it's depressing you while you're injured! No need to apologize! Just heal up quick.

[indysteel]

Thanks, Oak; I appreciate that. I think I'm going to start following the thread again. I miss hearing about everyone's accomplishments, big and small victories, big and small struggles and whatnot. In that vein, good luck at your 5k!

And Bike Chick, I want to very belatedly congratulate you on your marathon. How amazing!

So, my pain from running on Sunday has been manageable. Not a walk in the park, but manageable. I'm going to try to it again on Wednesday or Thursday and see what happens. If the pain stays at a dull roar, then I'm just going to deal with it. My doc suggested that I could take that approach, but I originally opted to follow my PT's advice to rest instead. I'm just going to take it a run at a time. I'm also going to start using a donut to sit on. My coworker brought in one she used for a tailbone injury for me to try out. The less pressure I put on the tendon, the better. Driving seems to aggravate it the most, likely because of how my car seats are shaped.

This, too, shall pass. Or at least it better. During this down time, I have been working with a trainer on building upper body and core strength. I'm starting to see the return of some muscles, especially in my shoulders and back, that I'm neglected for the last couple of years. I'm no Veronica just yet, but she is my muse.

[Veronica]

During this down time, I have been working with a trainer on building upper body and core strength. I'm starting to see the return of some muscles, especially in my shoulders and back, that I'm neglected for the last couple of years. I'm no Veronica just yet, but she is my muse.

Cool - what a compliment. As a Latin/Greek major I totally dig being someone's muse.

Just remember genetics also plays a part here. I always feel a little guilty (not quite the right word) but developing my upper body was not hard for me. I work hard at it, but I am inclined to be muscular. I'm just maximizing my assets.

I wish running had come as easy.

Veronica

[indysteel]

Cool - what a compliment. As a Latin/Greek major I totally dig being someone's muse.

Just remember genetics also plays a part here. I always feel a little guilty (not quite the right word) but developing my upper body was not hard for me. I work hard at it, but I am inclined to be muscular. I'm just maximizing my assets.

I wish running had come as easy.

Veronica

I don't have bad genetics in this regard either, at least as they relate to my upper body. I did a fair amount of resistance work and a lot of yoga a few years ago and was thrilled when people kept telling me how "cut" my arms looked. Of course, I was also a bit leaner then, so you could see my muscles better. Regardless, I love the physical and mental payoff that you get from weight and core work.

My legs are a totally different story, however. The only time they looked even vaguely muscular was during my high school track and cross country days. I also weighed 100 pounds then, too. So, yeah; that isn't gonna happen again by a longshot.

[skhill]

It hit me while running this morning that maybe the reason my speed and stamina are so much better now than during the fall is because I've finally put those 10 lbs back on. And I feel better too.

I'm not superstitious, but... When my run takes me past the house where Jefferson Davis, president of the CSA, lived while a college student, I always go on the other side of the street. But today, I got stuck on the "wrong" side. So I departed from my planned route to go past the church Abraham Lincoln went to when visiting his in-laws, just in case bad karma might be following me. Ended up going about 6 miles, and it's a beautiful day

[kacie tri-ing]

Cool - what a compliment. As a Latin/Greek major I totally dig being someone's muse.

Just remember genetics also plays a part here. I always feel a little guilty (not quite the right word) but developing my upper body was not hard for me. I work hard at it, but I am inclined to be muscular. I'm just maximizing my assets.

I wish running had come as easy.

Veronica

You work hard and you know it!!!

I am always impressed too.

[Bike Chick]

And Bike Chick, I want to very belatedly congratulate you on your marathon. How amazing!

Thank you, Indy. I hate to hear that you aren't improving and are still suffering. I hope you stick around and keep us posted on your progress. That's what we are here for. We are all pretty good listeners and I think a lot of us have been where you are right now. Hang in there.

Holy cow, Kacie! I agree with Indy. I find it hard to wrap my head around that. Good luck on the marathon this weekend.

[Crankin]

I think I've realized that I just can't run yet. My foot *is* better. That is, until I run. It's fine for cycling, even jumping around in my classes at the gym, and hiking. But, I went snow shoeing and x country skiing last weekend, after I ran a little on Friday. That was bad. My foot hurt, especially when I was herringboning up the climbs on Sunday. It's better now, but I just don't want to jinx it.
I will live vicariously through you guys. Until the spring, at least.

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry Crankin, but I remember your saying awhile back that you were taking the winter off of running to let your foot heal, and here you are trying to run again! Bad girl!

You are a probably a lot like my DH -- he managed to run two miles this morning with two of the ugliest looking toes you've ever seen -- all purple and swollen. Our Boston Terrier ran into him at full speed a couple of days ago and knocked his foot into a concrete wall. He may have a broken, or at least severely sprained one of the two toes (the other is more of a bad abrasion), but yet he still couldn't stand not running *at all*.

I did 4 miles on the beach this morning. I do have a slight blister on my left pinky toe from a lot of walking on an inland tour we took on Monday, but it only bothers me walking (in the same trail-running shoes), not running, for whatever reason.

[7rider]

After work, I plugged out 4 miles on the treadmill (potential icy conditions/freezing drizzle/rain in the morning put the kabosh on my planned run at work).

How's that new treadmill working out for you? Sounds like it's doing well and you're already putting some serious miles on it!

[OakLeaf]

Kacie. Holy !@#$%@. Seriously. You go!

[emily_in_nc]

Kacie. Holy !@#$%@. Seriously. You go!

+1. Simply. cannot. imagine.

I feel proud when I do four miles.

[Selkie]

How's that new treadmill working out for you? Sounds like it's doing well and you're already putting some serious miles on it!

Thanks for asking! We still have the very nice "loaner" treadmill---there was a significant delay from the manufacturer on the model we purchased. It's finally being delivered next week.

Not surprisingly, my form is different on the treadmill. Ended up with a blister on my right forefoot and a very bad bruise on my left hand (I was apparently going faster than the treadmill belt and kept whacking the front bar w/my hand! Bonehead!!). Looks like I was in a bar fight with a hooker!

Was very happy to run outside at work yesterday. A nice 4.2 miler--was warmer than I expected. I would have gone further but my blister pad/protection started coming off.

Are you still putting a lot of miles on your treadmill?

[7rider]

Well, using it regularly, but I don't think I've put on as many miles, in total, as Kacie did last Saturday! Amazing.

Since I use it in the a.m., I'm good for about a half hour, and then I've got to shower, eat, and head to work. So my runs on it tend to be short - 2-3 miles (except for that 5-miler with the new Superfeet that nearly crippled me.). But it's getting used pretty regularly.

Yesterday, I rode my bike home in all daylight. Amazing the difference in the past few weeks (and the benefit of arriving at work early, so I could leave a bit early). Soon, I'll be able to add bricks to my bike commute days - ride home, grab the shoes and head out for 2-3, so my morning treadmill runs will become less frequent.