Scaring up some good runs: October

[SadieKate]

I just read some of your blog entries. I like your "mundane ramblings of random thoughts" though mine are more cerebral dribblings. I hope your blisters heal!

[emily_in_nc]

I've had a big "running fail" for the past few months...kinda depressing. It just got way too hot/humid/sunny for me to be able to manage running, and I totally lost my mojo. Finally, the weather started cooling just a bit as October arrived, but then I caught a bad cold with a cough so missed some primo running days. Today was finally feeling like myself for the first time in awhile so went out for a walk/run. More walking than running, but it's a start back. I hope to start making a more regular habit of it during our brief, warm "winter" here in Belize.

[Tri Girl]

I just read some of your blog entries. I like your "mundane ramblings of random thoughts" though mine are more cerebral dribblings. I hope your blisters heal!

cerebral dribblings- love it!!
The blisters healed once I got home and stabbed at them (a bit of revenge? anger management? perhaps). There were only 3 but they were very angry. They were my own fault- I should have known better.
It's rained the last couple days and the trails are too muddy to run on and I need to run for 3 hours. I really, really, really don't want to have to run on the road. I'm going to wait until tomorrow and hope they dry out some.

Emily- you'll get back at it!! I, too, had a bad summer of running. The heat was horrible this year and it was too much for me to run in consistently (even at 5 am). You're on the way back and now that the weather has cooled down a little for you, hopefully you'll find that mojo again!!

[emily_in_nc]

Emily- you'll get back at it!! I, too, had a bad summer of running. The heat was horrible this year and it was too much for me to run in consistently (even at 5 am). You're on the way back and now that the weather has cooled down a little for you, hopefully you'll find that mojo again!!

Thank you, tri girl! I am certainly hoping the mojo hasn't left for good. I'm not much of a runner, definitely a cyclist at heart, but cycling is so limited here (beach cruisers, few roads, and flat) that running is a great way to get a really good workout, so I need it. I've been in a funk that I have been unable to motivate myself to run in the miserable heat -- I see people out there running (soaked in sweat), but I just don't seem to be "hungry" enough to do that. The cooler temps will help!

[Crankin]

Was about to go out for a brisk walk, when the skies opened up. So, I got on the treadmill and did a half hour of several run/walk intervals, with my run speeds at 6.0-6.2 and my walking at 4.2.
Before I did the Cto5K, I couldn't run for more than 30 seconds at 6.0. Even though this is only my second run since June 1, I feel like I have maintained some of the speed. However, my left heel feels a little weird. This did not start from running, but I think, is from stuff I am doing at boot camp, like jumping jacks and jump ups. I don't want to give up either, so I am going to be very cautious with my re-entry into running.

[emily_in_nc]

That's really fast, Crankin...that's as fast as I was running at my peak of running (and I am far from that now). Just don't overdo. Other folks I know who have done C25K and run some actual 5K events lately are still running 12 minute miles, not 10 minute miles. Great that you've kept so much fitness, but you are smart to be cautious.

[Crankin]

I tend to be able to maintain a faster speed on the treadmill than out on the road, due to the severe lack of flat roads around here!

[indysteel]

I've been running a bit these last couple of weeks, although with some trepidation since my thyroid situation isn't yet sorted out. Yesterday, I ran a mile on the treadmill and then did another 20 minutes or so of hill and speed intervals. And by speed, I don't mean spring, just a bit higher pace than what I typcially run (7 mph versus 6). I have absolutely no knowledge on how best to structure intervals though, so I was doing a minute off (walking) and 90 seconds on.

[OakLeaf]

Trepidation is my middle name these days.

I did my first speedwork in almost six months yesterday ... just 6 x 1 minute sprints with 1 minute recovery. I left something in reserve both in terms of intensity and in the number of repeats, since it was my first time back. It didn't seem to aggravate anything and it felt good to really breathe again.

I've also been continuing to push the distance now that it's cool enough to go a little longer without water. I'm up to a 9 mile long run, which that loop is fairly flat, but for some reason, it really felt like more of a milestone to me than the shorter hillier loop. I think I'll consolidate for a couple of weeks before I try carrying water, but I'm going to have to try it sooner than later.

I'm also keeping up with the water running - I just got a waterproof iPod, since it's obvious I can't keep up a decent cadence in the stupid pool for any amount of time without some external motivation. My posture just feels so much better every time I get back running on land after I've done the pool.

Trepidation, yeppers. But I'm starting to feel some hope, too. I'm almost afraid to.



ETA: Oh, and guess what else?! I just got back from shoe shopping ... which is often a nightmare for me ... Nike Air Pegasus (men's) has a nice square toe box, comes in 4E and the heels aren't too wide for my woman's heels! Happy dance! Happy feet!

[katluvr]

Hi all, I'm finally back to running (again) and the forum. Couple weekends ago we did a MS Bike ride so that is where my miles have been. But I have a half marathon coming up mid Nov. so I have to ramp up the miles. We are finally having Florida Fall, so it was in the upper 70's and overcast for my run today...4 miles. I'm pretty sluggish but did ramp up speed a bit for part of the run.

Tri girl--good job on the 39k for your 39th b-day. I'm turning 49 in December, not sure I can get up to 49K, maybe I'll just run 4.9 miles!

K

[Tri Girl]

Tri girl--good job on the 39k for your 39th b-day. I'm turning 49 in December, not sure I can get up to 49K, maybe I'll just run 4.9 miles!

K

4.9- That's what I'm going to have to start doing before too long. I'm going to get too old. Maybe I'll just have to start cycling my birthyears in miles.
Which half mary are you doing next month??

[limewave]

I have been running in spats! I went for a quick 2.5 mile on my lunch break today. I'm so not used to going to an office every day. It's such a pain to change clothes and clean-up in the bathroom--but I'm making an effort!

[indysteel]

Just finished 3 miles on the treadmill. Okay, I've decided to run at a slightly slower pace than I did last year given that my HR has been a wee bit elevated thanks to my thyroid. It's working like a charm, and I've been able to run without stopping. So I'm not going to break any speed (or distance) records, but mentally, it's more satisfying than stopping every mile or so to let my HR come down a bit.

[Veronica]

Congratulations SK!


Veronica

[SadieKate]

Thank you both. I caught a record steelhead a couple days earlier so it's all downhill from here! With all that fun, I handled the family visit with far more equanimity than usual.