2011 Running Thread
Comments
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Well, it was pretty brisk here this morning when I started . . . probably high 40s/low 50s, I would guess, though it definitely warmed up while I was out there. I didn't really need gloves and quickly took the left one off (and managed to lose it, oh well), but wanted the other one as a sweat-absorber so I could hold my phone. Half an hour into the run I was wishing I'd worn shorts and a short-sleeved shirt instead of stadium pants and long sleeves. It was one of those days where you see all manner of running outfits: some shorts, some pants or tights, and -- toward the end of my run, when I was seriously contemplating taking my shirt off altogether and running in my bra -- a guy wearing sweat pants and a turtleneck and a hat. Ugh: just looking at him made me sweat harder.
L
Edited to add: I've run on a 5-person marathon relay team, but never in a big, Hood-to-Coast style relay. There's one here in Michigan called the Great Lakes Relay that I've been recruited for (back when I was fast!) but have never been able to do. I'd still like to have that experience someday.
Oh, and I took a quick peek at your husband's blog . . . enjoyed reading about his runs in different cities.
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J9W
Welcome! I am also one of those falling runners. I went for a run in Cocoa Beach, staying at a friend's house. She loaned me a pair of socks, and after I got to the end of the street, and turned around, thinking, I am over 1/2 way done! SPLAT! I fell and skun up my knees really bad! They were bleeding! I hopped, ran, hopped, ran all the way back to my friend's house. I yelled for her husband to take off my shoes and get those socks off, cause I didn't want to bleed on Eileen's socks!
Harley
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I need some advice from the experienced runners. I have having trouble staying motivated, and keeping a regular schedule of running. Can anyone help??
Harley
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Hi, Harley . . . wow, was your post timely. I hadn't taken a fall since June, but on this morning's run - on a beautiful, wide, perfectly flat sidewalk - I managed to trip and skin my elbow and knee. The damage isn't as bad as some of my past pratfalls (more like a really bad road rash than a gaping wound), but it still smarts. And it still makes me feel like a doofus.
On staying motivated/keeping to a schedule . . . is there a time of day when you prefer to run? Settling into a routine was helpful to me. (I like running in the early morning, before my body is awake enough to protest!) The other thing that was really helpful was finding a running buddy (or buddies). It's harder to bail on a run when you've made plans with someone else.
L
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IT'S ON!!! Just had a consultation with a second PS, and he said there was nothing to lose and everything to gain by having revision surgery so soon. So the Disney World Marathon is ON!!!!!
Oh crap, that means I only have 11 weeks to train now.... yikes!
ETA: I had the gain/lose stuff phrased wrong. It's fixed now. Talk about marathon training frenzy!!
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I am so happy for you, orangemat! That is wonderful! Happy training!!:)
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Yay orangemat! I will still be in my post-op sickbed then and will be looking forward to reading everything about the marathon weekend!
You only have 10 weeks of training. Don't forget the last week is the best part: tapering and carb loading ;-)
Happy trails!
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Oragemat that is great news! We will have to get together. I am doing a modified Hal Higdon plan. Since I can't even run yet I am walking the distances.
I did the Reach the Beach Relay 2 years ago. It is 200 mies in 24 hours! From the white mountains to Hampton beach. It was a total blast and would do it again in a heart beat! -
Orangemat, good news about Disney! It's kind of cool that you and your husband are running different marathons . . . you can cheer for each other that way.
L
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Orangemat that is great. I am envious. Wish is was able to run those distances.
Motivation always a problem. I usually run in the morning before I am awake enough to think of all the excuses to not run. I often have some race in mind that I am preparing for. This weekend a five k where my goal is to keep up with my son, not puke and not cry. Time not a goal I am running about three min slower per mile than I am used to. Pathetic really.
After that it's gonna be hard to stay motivated. Exchange dec 22 so will have to start all over again so what's the point of working out now. But I will cause it keeps me (mostly) sane. -
Not puking and not crying are excellent goals! Also, if you want to be really ambitious, you could add not tripping and falling.
Seriously, good luck in your 5K. Race reports always appreciated!
L
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marie11, no need to be envious... because if I can do it, ANYONE can. Seriously. I was always the slowest of the slow, and could barely do 3 miles many times. Then one day something clicked: I realized that the only thing from keeping me from running longer was that I was always trying to run faster than what was comfortable for me. So I stopped trying. Just ran at what was my "forever pace" at the time, didn't care how long it took, and just tried to stay calm about the whole thing. I really believe that if you have enough patience, eventually the miles will roll by... sooner or later...
Anyway, so several weeks later, I found that all this super slow running was making me stronger, and helping me burn fat so I was losing weight. And with the weight loss came more strength to run farther (and maybe even a little faster)... and the cycle kept improving on itself. So really it's all about patience, as well as giving yourself the permission to run slowly. As my husband would say to me when I'd be stressing over a race: "it's not as if you're going to win the thing, right?"
So no pressure, OK? Run because it makes you happy and try not to judge. This shift in attitude will do wonders for you as you heal from your procedures as well.
That said, I ran 7.3 miles with a running friend today, and she and I chatted the entire time. Could I have run faster than the 10:16 average pace we did? Certainly, but I didn't need to. It was perfect as it was, as so were we.
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orangemat...you are inspiring and reaffirming.
I run 6-7 mph and run 3-6 miles. But I have never run more than 7 miles. I am in awe of a half marathon, nevermind a whole. But I don't feel dismayed...I just figure I never will (and that is fine because I love what I can do...well did do before surgery and will again) ...but, maybe ,if I "listen" to you long enough, I will, too. Or not...
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As always, it's motivating just to be following along with your posts. I had just a few months' experience as an I've-never-been-able-to-run newbie runner when I was diagnosed. I only got to do two 5Ks before starting chemo. And my pace was... well... nothing close to what any of you do on a bad day. VERY slow!
But I am still interested to get back into it when I'm able to, in part because I know from doing Couch to 5K and (most of) Bridge to 10K that I *can* build my ability/endurance/speed/etc.
It's really intimidating to post knowing that pros like you all are reading, but I just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration.
And who knows, maybe by this time next year I'll be telling you about my first half or something! -
kks_rd...I never ran in a race...so you are a pro to me...:)
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Pro, shmo... I only started racing this year, with a 5k on January 1. Actually, that's not true; my husband and I had done a 5k back in 2008, and my experience was so horrible (took off too fast, wasn't used to not listening to music, didn't have my Garmin, etc.) that I swore off racing forever. Then my running break-through happened last summer (the epiphany I described above) and I decided my New Year's resolution would be not to be a race-phobe anymore. So far so good.
I don't know if any of you are on FB, but there's a page I follow there called I
to Run. It's probably the most inclusionary motivational place I've ever found in terms of running. One of the best sayings I've read there is "No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch". We go out there and we do it, that's all that matters. Oh, and just because I have passion for something doesn't mean I'm good at it. Sheesh.
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orangemat could be my thought-twin. I could not run until I got the Nike+ that would give me pace feedback. When I could see my pace in real time and SLOW DOWN to a sustainable pace, I could go for ages. You can get those apps cheap or free now and it's fun to see your map on the phone or website, like a souvenir. I especially like the maps when I've run on a business trip somewhere interesting. At the race events, I'm never going to win-- heck, the winner is showered, dressed, and off having brunch by the time I finish-- but there's still medals left when I get there. I didn't win THE race, but I won MY race.
The other secret I discovered? The second 5K of an outing is better than the first. When I leave the house I am full of excuses. I whine, mope and complain and look for any pretext to turn back. But by a half an hour out, all that has fallen away and it actually gets enjoyable. By the time it's 21km, it's not really that physically pleasant, but (a) you can be proud of yourself (b) there's food soon, and (c) bling, photos, and cheering!
My brother runs 2-3km and hates running. Because he's doing the not-fun part. By now, you know if you're a sprinter or not and anyone who is here thinking "I'm not really a runner" is probably not a sprinter! So maybe you're an endurance runner. Chemo, rads and recovering from surgery aside, I second the theory about slowing down and seeing whether it trades off in distance.
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So...just what exactly is "slow" for you guys? Are you saying that my 6-7 mph pace is too much? I do that and then, a couple of times a week, I do intervals at a much faster pace for about 7 or 8 minutes. The intervals really seemed to help my longer runs. I dunno...I am not sure I want to mess with any of it... Well, actually, would love to be doing it in any way at the moment...
A couple of times, my legs were just itching and my walk turned into a jog for short spans...with left arm pinned to side to address bs' movement concerns... I must've looked silly...:)
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I don't know about miles per hour. I get readings in minutes per mile or km. I was running 6:30 minutes per km but since the lumpectomy and mastectomy (my theory: anaesthesia mucked up my oxygen processing) I am lucky to do 7:30. That's 12 minutes/mi. Heck with three engineering degrees, I'll take the challenge (clicking clicking...) that's 5 mph. My old pace of 6:30 was still slower than 6 mph. I do get up as fast as 5 mins/km in spurts, but I have stamina, not speed. If you can do the faster pace and also endurance, go for it. The runDisney training materials recommend a simple Tuesday/Thursday 30-45 minute run and then on the weekend, a long run that gets gradually longer each week. They recommend the run-walk-run method, i.e., a minute of walking every 10 minutes for recovery as you go. Using that method, before all the cutting, I was getting faster, but now I just can't. My legs can, but at my age, I am afraid when I see a heart rate of 181.
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Well, the truth is, I will have to slow down since I had surgery...or, rather, build back up. So, maybe I will pull back as I progress and try the slower pace... Or not...depending on how I feel about it... There is something about running that seems so much more amenable to adjusting it to how I feel, unlike swimming or working out at the gym. I think it is why I like it so much. And the truth is that my goal is not to run a race as much as it is to train both aerobically and anaerobically (hence the intervals)...
But, no matter how you slice it, you guys are impressive...:) and inspirational....:)
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I was going to say, if you're talking about miles per hour, you must be on a treadmill. Boo! Get outside and off that blasted machine! When you run outside, you don't have to worry about how fast (or slow) you're going. When you're outside, you run the road. When you're on the "dreadmill", the road runs you. Not a very zen-inducing experience, if you ask me.
As to paces, I figure mine in minutes per mile. Lately, my longer runs (9 to 15 miles) have been around a 9:15 min/mile pace on average, which is really fast for me. Last summer, I was lucky if I could maintain a 10:30 pace for 3 miles. The woman I ran with over the summer would run an 11:00 pace or slower, and I have to say, it's hard going that slow, but I did it. That's how I built my strength, running at a pace that wasn't taxing on my body.
Today's 7.3 miles was at a 10:16 pace, and that was slow enough to be easy without being excruciating. Would this be my marathon pace, perhaps? We'll see.
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No treadmills for me anymore. I just know how many miles I am running in what period of time. I don't have miles marked off, so I don't know how many min/mile. I like being outside. Besides, that's the only way to run with my dog...:)
(If you think I am itching from no more running...you should see him!)
I have run 7 miles at a 10:00 pace. Once.
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Oh, and for at least a month after both my surgeries this year, I kept my paces to 10:00 min/mile or slower, just so that I wouldn't overtax my body and metabolism. I did no speedwork nor major hills for that time either. My second surgery was mid-July, and I had vowed I wouldn't start racing until October, but at the last minute I signed up for a half marathon on September 4. This was not even eight weeks post-op. It was an oppressively hot and humid day, and the course was a combination of roads and trail, and the last two miles were all uphill. I PR'd with a time of 2:03:09.
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Oops, sorry about the treadmill rant then!
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I am envious cause I used to run that much. Ran 14 miles the Sunday before my surgery. Typically ran 6 every morning. Now in the three to four mile range. The only other times I have run so little is pregnancy. I want my body back. I am fat, slow and out of shape for me.
That said I did spend 2 hours in the gym today. Biking, weights and the dreadful treadmill. since my shoulder hurts so much and is so weak and I can't swim I decided to do a triathlon. So I have been doing more biking and swimming and less running.
Orngemat why are you going to PT. I ask because of the above pain and weakness. Your pt sounds way better than mine. -
Marie, I'm in physical therapy twice a week as per my PS. Since the TE was put under my chest muscles, all those nerves and other connecting muscles were affected as well. The PT has been working on my range of motion, but since I have a chronic shoulder issue that's a result of surgery I had there 10 years ago, my PT wants to address that as well. For about five months from the UMX, I wasn't allowed to do any upper body exercises, including core work and yoga. Did I mention I also have a chronic S/I instability too? Doing regular core work kept all of my niggling pains andd weaknesses in check, but since I haven't done anything in so long, I'm a deconditioned mess (more or less). Running just doesn't do it all, you know.
Yeah, he's a great PT, addresses the entire individual, not just the body parts that need work. I've been mishandled in PT many times over the years (had lots of exercise-related injuries and so I had lots of PT, unfortunately), and this is the first time I feel someone is doing something right for me. It's rather odd, because most of the women I know in my area who've had MX's haven't gone for PT. When was your surgery?
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Hi all,
Want to introduce myself, and this is a great post. I am 42, mother of 3, and I am training for a 1/2 marathon in December. I'm doing the White Rock Marathon in Dallas. I'm on an 8 week training plan (I normally do sprint triathlons and century / double century bike rides), and am enjoying the change of pace from cycling. It's been a bit rough on my joints, as I haven't been running in about 2 years. I had a bad case of PF that kept me off my feet last year, so I spend a lot of time massaging my left foot with a tennis ball and keeping the fascia broken up. It's a struggle.
Nice to meet all of you, and I am really interested to know if the little boy who was hit on his bicycle is okay? Lewing, did you find out?
Nice to meet you all!
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Welcome MariannaHB. We look forward to hearing all about your race reports, faceplants, and assorted aches and pains :-)
We're such a cheerful group!
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Two weeks down on Couch to 5K! Woot.
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Welcome MarianneHB!
Way to go Adey! I work with the homeless and last year I started the C25K with them and my coworkers. It was a total blast and for a "reward" we completed a local 5k to benefit victims of domestic violence.
As for me I just did a quick 3 miler with my fat dog. It SNOWED last night and of course I could not find any of my favorite cold weather gear...It was cold!
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