Lamb or Lion? March running...

[skhill]

This morning, my legs felt so absolutely dead when I started out. The first 3 miles were a slog-- didn't help that I kept hitting the traffic lights just as they turned red. But on the long, gentle, uninterrupted downhill things started feeling much better. Stopped at the cathedral (Episc) at mile 4.5 for morning prayer (my brother is organizing it this Lent, and moaning about the low turnout. A largely empty chapel is good, though, as it meant no one was sitting close by a stinky, sweaty runner). Then when I started running again after a 20 min. break, it was a slog yet again. Ended up going 6 miles, and I hope tomorrow's long run is more fun...

[Crankin]

I thought about putting this in the "beginning running isn't fun" thread, but to stay positive, here goes.
I went to the LRS this morning to buy new shoes. It's a very nice, very local store, not a chain. Found out that in the past year, they have developed shoes with a wide toe box, but supportive heels. So, my bunion issue and any problems with the stress fracture/shins can be avoided with the same shoe. The owner told me he didn't even sell the shoe I had been wearing, anymore (he sold it to me, though, about 1.5 yrs ago). I ended up with the Mizuno Wave Nirvana. The guy thought I would faint from the price, but after I said, "hey, bike shoes are more," he laughed. He did give me a small discount, which was nice.
Then I went home and bought a subscription to Active.com for the C25K program. I am forcing myself to go slowly. I did the first day, which seemed easy, in the 60 second intervals of running never felt terrible. Of course, most people don't do this on a 10% grade hill, but I tried to time the intervals so only 2 were on the uphill. I did the 30 minutes, and ran/walked 2.2 miles, which is interesting because it used to take me 40 minutes to do this same route, with a short warm up and running the rest of the way. That sounds slow, but remember, I see even very fast runners walk up the hill. The shoes were fine and my foot doesn't hurt.
So, I am not sure how this will play out. Running 3X a week will definitely interfere with my riding and the 2 core/weights classes I am taking. I may be able to double up on the days I take the classes, though, if I run right after the class, in the AM. I know I won't want to run on the days I get home @ 6-6:30. Or, I could actually do a brick, once a week, if I start up my short early morning rides again, soon.

[emily_in_nc]

Good job, Crankin! Sounds like you're going about your restarted running program in a cautious, measured way, which should help keep you from injuries. Great that the new shoes felt good the first time out, too!

[yellow]

Yay, taper! Did my last long run yesterday before the 3/24 50k. I am a wee bit undertrained at this point but not much I can do about it now. Looking forward to a couple of easier weeks.

[Crankin]

Did my second run/walk at 6 AM this morning. It's absolutely gorgeous out, and was already 42 when I left. I went the opposite way on the hill loop part of my street, so I had less intervals going up! DH set up his old GPS for me. Great, except I could not hear the thing beeping and I ended up having to keep my headlamp aimed at the damn thing, which took a great deal of the fun out of this. I know I have a little hearing loss in one ear, but this was not good. I tried to run faster on the run intervals, which paid off, as my pace for the runs was 9:30, a first for me.
Not sure what I am going to do with my schedule. Monday is usually my rest day, I'm going to have to double up on Thursdays, and after my long ride yesterday, I want to go out and ride as much as possible! I really don't want to drop my classes at the gym, as they are the reason I joined. And, I need the weights and balance work.

[7rider]

Got in 8.1 miles yesterday. Longest run ever. After that, HillSlugger tried to put the final nail in my coffin by having me chase her for 25 miles thru the park on our TT bikes.

Quads were a bit achy yesterday, and still talking to me this morning.

I've got one more weekend to try to add distance to my runs, then the 25th is a shorter run (10k), and the Cherry Blossom 10-miler is on the 1st. I won't hit 10 miles before then, but I think if I can get close, I should have no problems with the 10. 20,000 other runners will be there to distract me from the pain.

[skhill]

Saturday's long run was on the short side-- 10 miles, yet again. My half is less than 3 weeks away, and I don't feel ready. But there's still time for a 13-14 mile training run.

(But 3 years ago, running 10 miles was inconcievable, for some perspective)