Run-on weeks (February 5-11)

[OakLeaf]

The last one was the run-on week since y'all are still posting in it today... I'll start the new one

Just shy of 6 miles today, nice and easy. It was a beautiful day and my feet felt fine. I've been having some issues with hydration lately so I weighed myself before and after - about a liter of sweat loss, about what I thought.

I've been reflecting on my training so far this year - how far I've come. Part of it I know is just that I'm running more, but I attribute a lot to the run/walk intervals. With the run/jog intervals I'd been doing before, my HR just didn't come down enough to make a true "recovery." I think it was close to a year ago I first talked about switching to running my intervals this way, and now that I've finally done it, it really seems to be paying off. It's all good

[kelownagirl]

Oops, I posted on the wrong thread last time.

I went out again this morning, despite a tightish calf. Warmed up first, stretched carefully, then walked for 4 min before doing walk/run intervals. Varied 1-2 minutes of running with 1:00 walk in between. Felt good. Really felt like running longer but stopped at 2:00 to be careful. Did 30 minutes in total with 13 min of running. Iced shins after. I have been referred to one of the best PT's in town. Looking forward to seeing him.

[teigyr]

Yesterday I ran 3.5 miles and got my best time ever! I initially didn't want to run because it was rainy, I was tired, and I just didn't feel like it. I'm glad I did though.

Today I ran 3 miles. I started out perky and feeling great and something happened in the middle, dunno. My leg started hurting, my foot hurt, and when I bent down to loosen my shoelace (sharp pains in the top of my foot), I got dizzy Maybe because it's afternoon, I had coffee, and I haven't eaten yet. Live and learn.

[Grog]

I'm in Halifax, Nova Scotia this week, and I'm surprised by the quality of the running routes I've found, and also by the number of people running on the streets.

It's been chilly - around -5 Celcius and some wind, plus humidity - and running has mostly been on icy sidewalks and packed-snow trails, but it's been great! I don't know how that's helping me for my half-marathon that's coming next Sunday, but I'll just take it as it comes!

[Wahine]

I pulled off a little over 7 miles today. Slow but steady.

[emily_in_nc]

How I admire those of you doing long and/or fast runs! I am coming to the realization that I would like to attempt to become a "runner", not just a wanna-bee treadmill jogger, so today I headed out and did three laps on our wooded trails (rolling hills, one fairly steep climb, one long gradual climb). My total mileage was a puny 1.68 (plus a couple more laps of walking). My DH did my split times on his stopwatch, and I only managed 11:04 minute mile overall. I usually do about 10:30 on the treadmill. My HR was really high so I was spent afterwards -- zone 3 on all the climbs and just barely recovering into zone 2 on the flats/descents before I had to climb again.

I guess I can only improve from here!

Emily

[Jolt]

How I admire those of you doing long and/or fast runs! I am coming to the realization that I would like to attempt to become a "runner", not just a wanna-bee treadmill jogger, so today I headed out and did three laps on our wooded trails (rolling hills, one fairly steep climb, one long gradual climb). My total mileage was a puny 1.68 (plus a couple more laps of walking). My DH did my split times on his stopwatch, and I only managed 11:04 minute mile overall. I usually do about 10:30 on the treadmill. My HR was really high so I was spent afterwards -- zone 3 on all the climbs and just barely recovering into zone 2 on the flats/descents before I had to climb again.

I guess I can only improve from here!

Emily

Hey, don't feel bad about that speed especially on trails. On roads I do about 10-11 min/mile, and I've had trail runs where I have come in around 12-13 min/mile!! Good for you for getting outside and giving it a try; it's so much more enjoyable than the treadmill don't you think?

[Wahine]

A little over 4 today and it was actually pretty easy. I was surprised considering hos I struggled for 7 yesterday.

Emily, you're doing great. The best advice I have for you is to run often. Don't worry about how far or fast. Getting out consistently at least 3 times a week makes a huge difference. If you can squeeze in one or two more runs, good on ya but make them short and easy. Try to have fun and enjoy the freedom of running.

[jesvetmed]

My first post to this thread as I don't really consider myself a runner. But I'm pretty happy with my run today, and needed to share! I did 5.5 total on our local flat trail (total of 54 minutes), and the first 3 miles in under 29 minutes! This is CRUISING for me. Felt great, despite the hard driving sideways rain that was present the first mile or so. That is also my longest run in .. well, a couple of years! Something must be working.. the running, biking and swimming are actually starting to payoff!

You guys are all very inspiring! Like my own little daily motivational tape!

[kelownagirl]

Hey, jesvetmed - the first time I posted here, I ran 2 minutes during a 10 minute walk. Ya gotta start somewhere!

PS - 3 miles in under 29 minutes is great!

[Tiffany]

Hey ladies! I haven't posted in the running section yet and just discovered this thread. I hope you don't mind me intruding. I just picked up running again the first of December. I had trained for and ran a marathon in 2000 and then boycotted running altogether as it become a job and the fun was lost. However, I think I've found the passion again and I'm enjoying it more than ever. I started slow, just a mile or two, and now have worked up to running 10k's. I got out Saturday and ran a 10k in 58 minutes. I was pretty proud of myself since it was insanely windy that day.

I'll keep my eyes on this section now if you guys don't mind that I join in on the running discussions. You will all be great motivators for me. BTW, anyone a member of the Nike+ site? If so, my profile name is WilonTif.

[KSH]

Sunday are my long run days.

I did the following:
1h 54m
10.00 miles
11m 24s/Mi

Got up at 7:30 AM... headed to the grocery store... went home, cleaned up and my friend showed up to run with me.

Yes, I had a FRIEND to RUN with me! HA!

My cycling friend is taking up running to lose weight. He's only been running 2-3 miles at a time though. Since we were doing 5 minutes walking and 2 minutes running, he said he would be OK.

I'm a fast walker. He had a hard time keeping up with me. Running he did fine.

Overall I did a lot better than I did last week. I think having someone there made me go faster! And the right achilles NOT hurting going into the run helped too.

I ate 2 gels on this run, since I went into it a little hungry.

Overall, a really great walk/run. I worked it, my friend didn't die... and I wasn't limping when it was done. Major improvement over last week.


Now for some reflections on running...

You know what, this 5 minute walk/2 minute run interval is really working great for me on my long runs. REALLY GREAT! I can't believe how fast I was yesterday. Last year, I never would have RUN that fast for 10 miles.

I got to mostly walk, it wasn't miserable, it wasn't torture. No GI issues from it. It's... downright enjoyable!

I should have taken up speed walking a long time ago.

Let's just think... it's Feb. Look at my long run time in Feb. Just think how fast I'll be come August! I'm doing a 3-day race walking clinic in May, and I'm sure I'll be faster after that even.

Dare I dream for under a 11 minute mile on my marathon? Maybe I'm shooting too high? Maybe not. Only time and training will tell.

[OakLeaf]

Way to go KSH!

And welcome Tiffany, yes lots of us use these postings for motivation and accountability on our runs. No permission needed

I had my first run back today after a bacterial infection that tore through my upper respiratory system like a tornado. It started as conjunctivitis actually. Wednesday afternoon my eye started getting a little gummy... Thursday morning I woke up with it all crusted over and a little itchiness in the right eye... by Friday the infection had oozed through into my sinuses, but my eyes were nearly clear. Saturday I had a raging sinus infection, had to teach Pilates anyhow, and through the day and into the evening it got worse, blossomed into my ears and down into my trachea (luckily it didn't go into deep bronchitis other than a little scratchiness that I always get due to some scar tissue down there). Woke up miserable yesterday morning, but gradually started feeling better as the day went on.

I actually considered going for a ride this morning, but it was still pretty cold when the guys were planning to head out. (Okay, 48 degrees, that's plenty cold for here and too cold for me as sick as I'd been )

But after it warmed up I definitely needed to get out and clear some of the cobwebs out of my lungs! (also my head). Nice and easy and slow 4 miles. It didn't feel hard even though my HR stayed around 170 for the whole return leg, which wasn't surprising. Sunny and warmer, if a little windy, and up in the soft sand an hour before high tide. It's good to be back on track.

[Kimmyt]

Oh boy, I did my first run in about 2.5 weeks. I was taking some time off due to the ankle injury and a nagging hip problem. I did 3 miles today on the dreadmill and the ankle felt FINE.

Except towards the very end the hip started again. Sigh. Three miles should not cause my hip to ache. If this continues to happen I suppose I will have to see an orthopedist.



K.

[Wahine]

A little over 5 miles for me this AM. I'm plugging away at least a little everyday.