June Bug Running

[skhill]

I should do a long run Saturday, 12 miles. But I just found out the Bluegrass State Games track and field competition is Saturday as well, just a 45 min drive away. Distances from 100 m to 3k, and you can do 3 events. Hmmm maybe the 800 and 1500? The thought of 3k on the track is just too grim. Might be fun to do an even shorter event, too. I'm tempted...

[Catrin]

I didn't want to start another thread for this, and it DID happen in June

Today was the first time I've run when I didn't HAVE to. While my body has become accustomed to running 200-400 meters at the gym (usually only once or twice), and a couple of weeks ago we sprinted 100 meters ten times in a row...I don't think that my body is REALLY prepared for running. The repercussions of those 10 sprints took days to get over - and I though later that first day that I had injured myself but I didn't.

So, on Indy's advice, I checked out the Couch to 5K website. I wanted to get outside today but after my neck problems on the bike yesterday I figured that I should mix things up - so on went my running shoes! With no little trepidation I headed outside. After a 6 minute fast fitness walk I started a jog/walk combo on both pavement and trail that lasted about 25 minutes. At that point my hip flexors in one leg started complaining so I just walked it home - which was only about 5 minutes anyway.

It wasn't that bad! I found the trail part more enjoyable, though I don't think my running shoes are designed for off-pavement. I could run longer on the trail before I remembered that I was supposed to be stopping to walk parts of it I focused on keeping my head up and not stretching out my legs.

What I didn't like was carrying my water bottle, that was distracting and it seemed to interfere a bit with my movement.

[indysteel]

Good job, Catrin! Yesterday was a great day for a trail run I bet.

I am so not a hot weather runner, but I've been hankering to run lately. I don't think I'll ever be anything more than on again, off again. But I bet I'll be ready to run by the fall.

[Crankin]

Catrin, you can get a Nathan waist pack thing with small bottles, if you continue. I use it, even on short local hikes, when my hiking/x country ski waist pack is too much.

[Catrin]

Catrin, you can get a Nathan waist pack thing with small bottles, if you continue. I use it, even on short local hikes, when my hiking/x country ski waist pack is too much.

If I continue I will check it out. I DO have a very tight heel cord that I am currently working on to loosen - I think that needs to loosen if I am going to do this more often. I've some mobility exercises to work on that - and other things.

[OakLeaf]

Very nice Catrin!

I can't stand a handheld bottle either. Waist packs - try before you buy, if you can, and be aware that once you put water in the bottles they have the potential to bounce like crazy. I still say two liters of water in my Nathan Intensity rides lighter than 24 oz in my three-bottle Amphipod waist pack, but that might be more money than you want to spend.

Any water (extrinsic weight) is going to throw your movement off - the best you can do is keep it symmetrical and as centered as possible. You might even experiment with carrying *two* water bottles, one for each hand - some people do that. Handhelds put a bunch of weight at the end of your arm ... waist packs pull your lumbar spine straight and make it hard to rotate your pelvis ... vests make you want to lean forward to center your total upper body weight over your hips. It's whatever is least uncomfortable for you and least aggravating to your particular biomechanics, I think...

I did 9.5 yesterday, rode a little bit today, thinking I might do 10 tomorrow. Depends on the weather.

[Catrin]

Thanks for the tips - I am trying not to spend any more on fitness this summer since I am moving at the end of September. I may focus more on running the gym this summer with the occasional short run outside this summer since my shoes are right for that environment and there is a handy table to stash my bottle. Hoping to get get riding than running in, but we will see.