February Runs

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi All,
I have not posted much on here in ages, but I still stop by and lurk. I read this most recent running thread this morning before I went out for my own run, and I really wanted to post a few words of encouragement to those of you that have a love/hate relationship with running.

I have only been running more seriously for about 7 years. I dabbled before that but got more focused when I started doing triathlons again 7 years ago. I am an adult runner. This is not something that I did in college and am now I am coming back to it. When I started I "worked" to get up to 30 mins. I felt slow, and heavy footed and like I was invading the territory of the real runners.

Today I just got back from a 2 hour trail run. Running comfortably takes time and consistency. Not every run will be fabuluos. As a matter of fact Thursday I spent most of my time on the trail bent over with my hands on my knees, It happens. But it does get better, and it does get easier. It just takes time. One year ago, an hour was my long run and I trained up to make the 13.1 for the Half Ironman I was training for. Now an hour is what we do on a Tuesday.

Will I ever be a 7:30 min miler? No. And that is ok. I am ok with that. What I will be is someone that has come to really enjoy running. If you are feeling creaky and poundy on the road, find a trail or rail trail. It is a whole different animal. Much softer on the joints and very restorative for your soul. Plus the nice thing about trail running is that pacing goes out the window and you just run. Like the wild woman you are meant to be.

If I can start this at 44 and learn to love it in my fabulous 50's, there is hope for almost anybody.

Slow and steady, consistency and patience.....


OK, so now my run from today:
10 miles on the trails
1:54
12 degrees when we started
19 degrees when we finished

Cheers!

Ruth

[indysteel]

Ruth, that's awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It does provide encouragement. This is has been a real breakthrough year for me, and I hope I can stick with it (I often stop running come spring when temps rise).

[Crankin]

Your post inspired me, Ruth, as much as I can get inspired by running! I do like trail running better than running on pavement. We do have a neighborhood trail that is connected to conservation land trails. I walked down the road, about a quarter of a mile, ran the trail to the end and then turned around and ran until the last part, which is about a 20% grade climb for maybe another 1/3 mile, when it meets my street. The beginning of the trail has lots of logs that cover the trail in areas that often get wet, so I did have to sort of walk there, as well as slow and climb over two fallen trees across the trail. Of course, my running is slower than hell, but it was fun. I saw one other runner, a dog walker, and 2 very large ladies, who were cautiously walking down the steep climb.
It's a beautiful winter day out, I wish there was some snow!
Indy, I am jealous of your "breakthrough." I always stop running in the heat, and also because I find it just makes my body too sore for riding. Maybe I'll stick to trail running.

[indysteel]

Crankin, my breakthrough has been pretty modest I'll admit, but I'm excited that I've at least gotten to the point where I'm actually enjoying myself. Slowing down about 30 seconds per mile helped, as has working on my form. The mere fact that my hamstring doesn't hurt all the time helps, too. The heat will be a big test. Anything over 65 degrees bothers me, so we'll see.

[rocknrollgirl]

I hate the heat too. To combat the issue, I go in the morning when I can, and we have adapted our run strategy to help with the hot temps. Instead of running out and about, we have found an out and back rail trail. pretty shaded. We leave cold water and sports drink in the middle and shorten our loops so that we hit it every 2 mile or so. Pretend it is an aid station at a race. I grab a water or drink and "walk the aid station" let my heart rate come down, take a few sips and trudge on.

The same strategy could work in your neigborhood if your roads are shaded. Just make a short loop that will come past your house. It is not the most mentally stimulating thing, I just day dream of trail running in the 12 degree weather and how awesome that will be. And I let my pace adjust down a bit so that I keep my heart rate down.

[Crankin]

Yeah, my neighborhood is shaded, but it is also a 10-12% grade hill. SheFly told me she and her DH call it "Aneurysm Hill Rd," which is a slight variation on the real name... sigh.

[rocknrollgirl]

Yikes! If I had to contend with that in the heat, I would take my business elsewhere. We drive to runn all the time. We have the opposite problem, not enough hilly terrain to simulate what we are usually training for. We are lucky to have a rail train about 5 miles from home. Good parking, safe, shaded. We use that in the summer.