May Running

[jessmarimba]

9 this morning. Harder than expected after a trail run/speed hike up a nearby "mountain" the other day. But if my math is correct (and the only person with a garmin accidentally shut it off halfway through the run) we're running about 30 seconds/mile faster than last year. Pretty much at my unexpectedly fast half marathon race pace last year. I just have to not break anything for the next 4 months...

[emily_in_nc]

I was thinking about you, Emily when I was running yesterday. It was only about 78, with a nice breeze, but it was all unshaded and I didn't have water. My client runs very slowly, so I could take walk breaks and keep up, but I just wanted to get it over with! I get this certain feeling in my head, not dizzy, but weird.
I really don't like to run when it's over 62 or so.

Thanks for feeling my pain! I thought about running this morning as it was "only" 79. However, the wind was GUSTING, and there was debris all over the beach from heavy wind and rain overnight. And SO muggy. It's been raining/windy all day with a high of only 81. Just not in the mood to run...

[Crankin]

Well, my 5K is next Saturday, and I have run twice in 10 days. I am firmly entrenched in the cycling season.
But, I'm going to do the run for my friend who is the development officer of the hospital it's for, and if I have to walk, I will. I know i can run 3 miles. I just haven't done it in a long time. My last two runs were only about 2.5.
My only goal is to do better than the last time I ran this race, which shouldn't be too hard, as it was 98 degrees and humid.

[skhill]

Emily, I was thinking about you too this morning, as it was my hottest run of the year (so far), 75 F at dawn. You're helping all of us in more temperate areas keep it in perspective!

Today's 5 miles included some intervals on the track. Boy, was it hot. I was very glad the water fountain was working today...

[7rider]

I'm not sure what the temp was for most of my weekend runs - I just know that it was hot and sticky and I was a soaking wet mess by the end of it all.

I've been trying to stick to flat MUTs and easy paces this weekend. At the Ft. Richie Du, the hills and pace caused my calf injury to flare up, and so close to my big race, I didn't want that happening again.

Friday was 3 miles on a MUT to try Endurolytes in the heat. I know I'll need the electrolytes for my race next weekend, and I need to get a few events (run and bike) under my belt with them in my tummy to make sure they work for me.
Sunday was my program's LSD group run: 6.2 miles. More heat and humidity. More Endurolytes. I really think they help. I also used them Saturday during a hot bike ride - and it kept my post-hot ride migraine from happening, so that's a success right there.
Today was my club's Memorial Day 4-miler. Not so hot, but it thundered and poured last night, so when we got onto the MUT in the shade of the trees, it was like a steam room. The humidity was oppressive. Quarter mile uphill finish. Ugh. 45 minutes, nearly on the button for an 11:15 pace - solidly average (or training) for me. No PRs today. As per usual, I finished in the front group of the final third of finishers. The winner did it in just over 20 minutes! Then, DH and I took the TT bikes out into the park for a 35 mile ride. Hot. Forgot the Endurolytes. Am pooped.

And thus is the summary of my weekend of running and biking.

Enjoy the heat, all.

[7rider]

A tad off topic, but Emily....was just thinking of you!

I got the new Athleta catalog in the mail today (not sure why I still get it - I'm too cheap to buy anything from it!). Anyway...the back page says "Athlete awould like to thank Tranquility Bay Resort where portions of this catalog were shot on location in Ambergris Caye, Belize"

I was like - Whoa! Ambergris Caye?? I know that! I've heard of that!
So...is that a pretty cool place or what??

Anyway...that was my diversion for the day!

[emily_in_nc]

A tad off topic, but Emily....was just thinking of you!

I got the new Athleta catalog in the mail today (not sure why I still get it - I'm too cheap to buy anything from it!). Anyway...the back page says "Athlete awould like to thank Tranquility Bay Resort where portions of this catalog were shot on location in Ambergris Caye, Belize"

I was like - Whoa! Ambergris Caye?? I know that! I've heard of that!
So...is that a pretty cool place or what??

Anyway...that was my diversion for the day!

Cool! Tranquility Bay is gorgeous! It's way north -- the farthest resort north on the island (practically touching Mexico). We've only been up there once, in a neighbor's boat. It is quintescential (can't spell!) Caribbean. Let me dig up a photo to post!

[SadieKate]

This morning, my training plan said "30 minutes easy. Then 5 miles at 150bpm. 1hr 10 min". I laughed out loud. Under no circumstances can I run 5 miles in 40 minutes and *certainly* not at 150bpm.

All in, 7.75 miles in 1:24. I think I averaged 10:46/mile for the 5 miles at 150bpm. I'd have to run 8 minute miles to do that distance in 40 minutes! Seriously, I don't know what my coach was thinking.

Ha! That's why I love my current run training program: run up until you fall over.

We're running up the trail toward Newberry Crater/Paulina Rim trying to train for a half marathon with a long hill. Seriously, June 17th when I switch back to riding can't come soon enough.

[yellow]

Seriously, June 17th when I switch back to riding can't come soon enough.

Whaddya mean? I KNOW you are doing some cross training on the bike. Or maybe the running is the cross training. In any event, I'm hurt that you direct such negativity for running


All, I have a rematch with the Squaw Peak 50 (miles, not kilometers) this weekend. Wish me luck. I am bound and determined to finish it running this year.

[SadieKate]

Whaddya mean? I KNOW you are doing some cross training on the bike. Or maybe the running is the cross training. In any event, I'm hurt that you direct such negativity for running

It's a love/hate relationship, and I've sort of reached a seasonal limit.

[OakLeaf]

Good luck Yellow! If the course feels long it's because it's trying to run away from YOU.


I've been running short and easy but pretty regularly. Mostly trying to rehab my neck and back. Geez. The back is slowly but pretty steadily improving. The neck on the other hand ... actually, we just started a new approach that might be the one. Touch wood, I haven't had any symptoms coming from discs in the upper back so we've kind of been neglecting that - but it started seeming to me that that's what's pulling the rest of my spine out. We did a whole bunch of work on it yesterday in PT and I've got several new exercises to do at home. Touch wood that this all pans out, because I am very tired of having half my body partially numb.

Anyway I saw two of the fox kits again yesterday. Their red fur has come in and their tails are a little longer, but they're still pretty puppyish. Didn't see their mom. So cute!

[Susan Otcenas]

Good Luck, Yellow! Will look for a race recap.

I overslept and didn't go for my scheduled 45 minute run before work, so it looks like a lunchtime run for me (which I really dislike.) Goody gumdrops.

[jessmarimba]

Good luck yellow!! Thinking of you doing 50 will make my 12 so much easier to bear.

So guys - we do a potluck of sorts after our "benchmark" mileage this Saturday. Any suggestions on what you would want after a long run that will also keep ok in a car/cooler for about 2 hours? I wanted to try and do homemade pretzel rolls with cheese but I still haven't figured out how to bake things at altitude.

[emily_in_nc]

I finally got out for a 3 mile beach run this morning as it was overcast after heavy rain overnight and "only" 80F. Felt pretty good. I think if I can just run once a week or so during the really hot time of the year, coupled with riding, I can maintain enough fitness to start increasing my running mileage (and number of days per week) again in the fall. I'm not going to kill myself if I can't (or won't!) do that during the summer here.

I'll be in the states visiting my mom and step-dad in NC next week but not sure I'll try to run there as it is seriously hilly where they live (western NC). I always get very sore shin muscles just taking walks there, and after living on the flat beach, it will be even worse than when I lived in the piedmont area of NC (rolling). I think I'll just be happy with fast walks. It's supposed to be low 60s in the morning to low 80s for highs so should feel absolutely DELIGHTFUL after this heat.

[skhill]

Good luck, yellow! I'll be thinking of you while I'm doing my 9 miles...

Finished off May with a beautiful run. Just shy of 7 miles, including one on the track. It's trash pickup day in some of the neighborhoods I went through, and it looks like a lot of folks took advantage of last weekend's furniture sales. Lots of matresses and other beat-up furniture out at the curb.