2013 Running Thread

I live about 500m from Lake Ontario in Toronto -- in a neighbourhood where the local running clubs don't have to go far for hills training - they just go up one street and down the next. Normally, I run as much flat as I can, along the boardwalk or the streets parallel to it. But today, for a "different" route, I ran away from the lake, a serious killer uphill slope for the first 1K, downhill in the second, and then mostly flat except uphill for the last block to home, for just over 5K, and I did it in 35 minutes! Chipping away at it, from my peak of 39 for 5K, and heading back, I hope, to my best of just under 30. I will never be fast, but darnit, I will be faster than this! My average HR was 164, and peak 180, but I had some twinges so I did take some walk and cough breaks just to settle down.

I'm an academic, so travel depends on what specifically I choose to do and what I can persuade people to grant me money for. I won't apologize for enjoying it, but I'm really not just travelling to have interesting Nike+ maps!

Good weekend runs, everyone! 

Firstcall, I'm going to get some vicarious pleasure out of imagining your rave run.  That is a beautiful picture.

I am getting frustrated about my runs because my old injury seems to be flaring back up when I get to about 1 1/2 or 2 miles.  It was a gastroc strain in summer 2011, for which I got lots of painful active release physical therapy.  That got me through the Disney marathon, slowly, in January 2012, but after resting, then running only very sporadically, for over a year, it does not seem to have healed.  And now, as I'm back to 3x/week and additional walking and elliptical, it seems to be worse.  It gets sore and tight after 15 minutes and doesn't get any worse or better, and it stays sore and tight for a couple of days.  I use the foam roller, then stretch a little.  I am not sure what else to do.  I can actually feel a tender, lumpy place on my calf, maybe a couple of spots, although the tightness can be centered in various places on the back of that leg. So my question is, does anyone have any experience curing/breaking up a stubborn muscle adhesion?  If I run more, and roll/stretch it a lot each time, might it get better, or is running more inevitably going to make it worse?  Do I need more PT or should I see an orthopedist? Or could something else be going on?  Any insights most appreciated. 

OK, I'm pretty sure this running BC sister has us all beat for speed: 

http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/01/jamaica-runner-novlene-williams-mills-breast-cancer-olympics/related/

Wow!

Well, I was hoping for a good run this morning because of cooler temps.  It was probably about 69 (felt more like low 70s though).   Did 6 miles, but my legs just didn't want to work.  I felt like I was running through quicksand.  So frustrating!!!!    I'm about half way thru rads and they said the fatigue would set in.  Is that what this is or just a bad run?  Had to have a little pity party afterwards.  Guess 6 bad miles is better than 0 miles. 

I'm finding it funny that I did not even bother firing up the Nike+ to measure a brisk 4K walk I took yesterday. Like pffft walk, why log that? It'll bring down my average pace! Just looking back to the beginning when I was so pleased I "ran" 800 m in about 20 minutes! Hope everyone is staying cool and dry in their summer outings!

Tammy M, can you give a little background (sorry if I missed it) about the exercise ball balancing?  What is it designed to do?  It's an intriguing exercise and sounds extremely difficult.

Mid-Nov is plenty of time to train from non-runner to half, according to Galloway. 

Check this pdf for beginners (this is for the Wine & Dine half the week before yours). (Other good tips in it besides the calendar.)

No shame in jog/walking it either, but 18 weeks is enough to train to run it - just two weeknight runs and a long slow distance run on the weekends.

Have fun!! 

Run free, balancing on the exercise ball is for core stabilisation. Basically to strengthen my abs, back and pelvis so I have more stability when running :-)

I have questions for you'll runners.

started my training sat-so sore.

do you'll eat anything before your train? I like to go early in am before it heats up. usually just have peanut butter toast.

I am training in my niehgborhood right now. its 2.4miles with 4 big hills. there are a few trails that are close by that are flat. should I do those instead? or does it really matter.

Does running make a bakers cyst worse. got on e of those too. seems to be down at present. never had it drained or anything.

cold bathtub soak?

do I have to wear those sleeves to prevent LE? I have some sleeves, no LE yet though. I guess I should. I see normal people wearing compression. I thnk they are crazy.

fredntan, if you get into a cold bathtub (you can leave your running clothes on - you have to wash them anyway. But take off the electronics!) for 20 minutes after your half, you will have much less discomfort the following few days. NOT a hot bath (voice of experience). A float in the pool can do the job also. Some put ice in the bathtub. That doesn't seem necessary. The cold tap in Florida or California (i.e., not even Canada-cold) is just fine. If you have pain at the finish line, a bag of ice from the medical tent to put immediately on the sore spot is a good idea. Cold is your friend.

I don't run in LE sleeves - my LE is in my torso anyway - but I swear by compression tights. (I have CW-X. I feel like I have done a half hour of exercise just getting the damned things on.) They feel like I have someone pushing me. I think it is the reduction of the jiggle vibration allowing all of the energy to go into forward motion.

After the cold bath, compression knee socks and a casual walk-about can help recovery along. Disney parks are full of people in knee socks after the half/full marathons.

I came to the realization that runners do these weird things for a reason :-)

kcmanis, I have been complaining about my pace since DIEP for a year. I really believe there is something about that long anaesthesia that affected my ability to exercise. I had no chemo or rads, so it's either the surgery or all in my head. My heart rate is maxed out at a slower pace on the ground, and there's no physical way I can go any faster. If I am walking, even briskly, rather than running, my heart rate is tolerable and legs feel fine and I can walk as long as my brain and stomach are willing to go, i.e., I would stop for boredom or hunger, but not due to any complaint of my legs. I cannot get any answers on this, and am still trying to figure it out, although I've been feeling better the last month or so - not just my HR but also my head is clearing up. So maybe whatever the fog is has run its course. (Until I mess with it and stop procrastinating on touch up surgery.)

Quite a few people here did have the chemo and rads, so I am sure you will get some input from others there too.

thanks, will soak in long tub after long runs. keep the tips coming.

Hee-Hee! I ran today for the first time since surgery!



I had a partial mx in midMay and then SLNB in mid June. I've been walking every day, having a dog is good for keeping one active, but have been too sensitive for the jostling of a run, even in the tightest of my sports bras.



I started rads yesterday. I got up this morning later than I'd like to get in a morning walk with the dog. I ended up running part of it, just to keep on time and still do the distance I wanted. Feeling ok since, too. Besides being plagued with deer flies and picking several ticks off each of us, we also saw a moose! We often see tracks but not always the animal.



I'm looking forward to building my wind back up. My attitude, too. I'd forgotten how much better I feel if I can get in a morning run.

Lol Cass.