Leaping through Feb - 29 days of Running!

[Selkie]

Beach run, oh Emily, you have the life!

Ran 5.4 miles at work yesterday before heading out to another location for an afternoon-long meeting. Got to wear capris instead of tights, since it was in the 40s.

I think the run contributed to my good attitude in having to schlep all that way (DC-area traffic is hellish). Even was able to maintain a semblance of zen-itude on my commute home (20+ miles longer than my usual commute, heavy traffic, crazy drivers, metro construction "surprises" like disappearing lanes....).

[7rider]

Ugh. 4.1 brutal miles this morning.
I could just not get a rhythm going. I probably walked more than I ran.
Ditched a vest just 1-mile into it into our mailbox before continuing my loop.
I think I was over-dressed for the run, anyway. Yeah. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

[katluvr]

"Ugh" is right for today's run (and last night's).

So I am NOT an evening runner (and lately not an early morning runner, either!). Running after work for me is hard. I am normally tired (lately I'm more tired than norm I think.) BUT I made myself go out for 3 miles, just 3 little miles, no speed expectation, just 3 miles. My quads are still sore from the cold 1/2 marathon, my right more than my left. Although I did the run (slowly) I did think how will I ever fit in those speed and tempo runs if I am always just plodding along when I run after work?

Today is may day off since I work part of weekend. I thought 5 miles would be my "long run" of this week. Not much more energy today. It was a slow yet not easy run. I even altered my route some to be along the water front more...it didn't work.

I have been in this running slump for a while now. Every now and then I have a "good" run. Mostly I find myself skipping runs, not able to do any speed work or even just ramp up my speed a bit. Ugh. Not sure of the remedy. March 15 is the day I register for Pikes Peak Ascent, that is also the start of my training plan (normally using marathon distances). I need my weight down, my energy up and a good base before I start this plan...what to do? what to do?

Thanks for letting me have a place to vent!

K

[skhill]

Hey katluvr, it's ok. That half was a monster, and you're surely still recovering from it. Don't forget, you've been taking on some huge running challenges, and succeeding!

Today was back to the treadmill for 4 miles. Rain outside this time, heavier than I felt like dealing with. That's now 13 miles this week on the treadmill, out of about 19 overall. Yuck.

[7rider]

I was sitting on my yoga mat before class this evening, looking down at my arms and it occurred to me why I was so ... bleh .. on this morning's run.
A needle mark in my right elbow reminded me that I gave blood yesterday at noon. I was running down a pint.

[skhill]

I was sitting on my yoga mat before class this evening, looking down at my arms and it occurred to me why I was so ... bleh .. on this morning's run.
A needle mark in my right elbow reminded me that I gave blood yesterday at noon. I was running down a pint.

...and that's why I've pretty much stopped giving blood. They keep calling me, even though I've told them I won't be in until the first week of April, after the HM. I often don't make it through the screening anyway, due to having a healthy bp and pulse. Why don't they harass the sedentary instead?

My body has apparantly decided that 8:45/ mile is the only pace it wants to run at. That was fine for today's 4 miles, but I'm going to have to slow it down somehow for tomorrow's long run...

[emily_in_nc]

Very hot and sunny this morning even at 7 am. Squeaked out a 5K on the beach, but it was torturous. Absolutely drenched afterwards, but the pool sure felt good!

[7rider]

...and that's why I've pretty much stopped giving blood. ...

Normally, I give platelets which is not as "draining" as whole blood. But I have low platelet counts and can only give twice a year. They're scraping the bottom of the donor barrel with me, but they still need me. Consequently, and because I did some competing last year, I rarely gave whole blood. I figure tho that this was probably the only time I could give as I should be back in counts by my April 1st event.

However, I think today I'm still not back since my Wednesday donation. I did 6.6 today - my longest single run ever I think (I once did 5 & 2 during a Duathlon training day with a bike ride in the middle). I either am still feeling the effects of my donation or I have to come to the realization that I can't run or will never be in shape. I was pooped. Run/walk/run/walk/jog/shuffle. That was pretty much the sum of it.

Well, as with my skiing: it's never pretty, but I get it done!

[Susan Otcenas]

I have been in this running slump for a while now. Every now and then I have a "good" run. Mostly I find myself skipping runs, not able to do any speed work or even just ramp up my speed a bit. Ugh. Not sure of the remedy.

Maybe you need a break. Take a week or so off from running entirely. Do something different, something you've been wanting to do but haven't had time for. Go on a hike? Go dancing? Swim? Try Zumba? Something that will mix things up a bit, and get you moving in a different way.

When I came home from PBP, I took the entire month of September off. Put absolutely no pressure on myself to do anything I didn't want to do. I rode for pleasure 2-3 times. Ran once or twice. Did the Muddy Buddy relay with a friend. But nothing was timed, paced, etc. When October started, I felt refreshed and ready to "train" again.

[OakLeaf]

+1. You've been keeping up a pretty punishing schedule. This seems like a good time for you to take a break, too. Plenty of time before Pike's Peak. Sometimes less is more.


Speaking of ugh ... first 20-miler of this cycle, first one in a year and a half. It was hot so I took it really easy, but I'm still pretty beat up from it. Bit by bit...

[katluvr]

Thanks ya'll! Yup this weekend no long runs, just a 5k trail run planned. And I find trail runs fun & refreshing.
20 miles, Oak...yikes! 4 miles on treadmill, also yikes!

K

[limewave]

It looks like May around here. I think I'm going to try and get a trail run in today as well. Nothing long and I don't plan to push at all. My legs are toast after Wednesdays 12miler and then yesterday I spun out for 2 hours on the trainer. And THEN DH calls me up letting me know he's going to be home unusually early and would I like to go on a road ride? That opportunity happens about twice a year, so of course I went--for a total of 3.5 hours on the bike yesterday! That is a lot for me. My normal ride time, year around, is 1-1.5 hours at a time.

Anywho . . . . . .